Senegalese cuisine

Senegalese cuisine is the traditional cooking and food culture of the Senegalese people. It is characterized by its richness, diversity, and the variety of its dishes, which are influenced by the many ethnic groups present in the country, including the Wolof, Serer, Peulh, and Mandinka.

History

The history of Senegalese cuisine is deeply intertwined with the history of the country itself. The cuisine has been influenced by the various peoples who have lived in or traded with the region, including the Berbers, Arabs, Portuguese, French, and British. The cuisine has also been influenced by the country's geography, with the Atlantic Ocean providing a bounty of seafood, and the Sahel region providing grains and livestock.

Ingredients

The staple ingredients in Senegalese cuisine include millet, rice, corn, sorghum, peanuts, beans, yams, and okra. Seafood, particularly fish, is also a major component of many dishes. Meat, while not as prevalent, is still used in many dishes, particularly those of the Peulh and Mandinka peoples.

Dishes

One of the most well-known Senegalese dishes is Thieboudienne, a hearty fish and rice dish that is considered the national dish of Senegal. Other popular dishes include Yassa, a marinated chicken or fish dish; Maafe, a meat and vegetable stew thickened with peanuts; and Ceebu Jen, a rice and fish dish similar to Thieboudienne.

Beverages

Traditional Senegalese beverages include bissap, made from hibiscus flowers; bouye, made from the fruit of the baobab tree; and café Touba, a spiced coffee.

See also

• African cuisine
• List of African cuisines