You may have heard of soul food before – it’s a cuisine that’s deeply ingrained in African American culture and history. But did you know that it has its roots in the cuisine of West and Central Africa?

When African slaves were brought to America, they brought with them their own culinary traditions, which they adapted to suit the ingredients that were available in their new home. Many of the dishes that we now consider to be absolutely “soul food” – dishes like collard greens, black-eyed peas, and okra – started in West and Central African cuisine.

One of the things that I love most about African cuisine is the way that it celebrates flavor. Spices like cumin, coriander, and ginger are used in abundance, and dishes are often slow-cooked to allow the flavors to develop over time. This focus on flavor is something that is also very present in soul food, and it’s one of the things that makes it so special.

Another aspect of African cuisine that has influenced soul food is the way that it uses every part of the animal or plant. Nose-to-tail eating, which has become popular in recent years, is something that has been practiced in Africa for centuries. Dishes like chitlins (pig intestines), for example, are a nod to this tradition. They may not be to everyone’s taste, but they show how important it is was to not waste what they thought was food. Now that Black people are evolving and have better access to resources, health, sustainability, and compassion are also considerations for what goes on our plates.

We still use every part of the plants we eat for our healthier soul food menus. We grind the seeds into spices, cook, steam, marinate, or prep leaves or fruit. The nice thing is that with most vegan and vegetarian foods, the root system and plant live on, and you only take what you need for the food.

Finally, African cuisine is often very communal, with dishes served family-style and shared among everyone at the table. This sense of community and togetherness is also present in soul food, and it’s one of the reasons why it has become such an important part of African American culture.

As a young chef, I’m inspired by the way that African cuisine has influenced soul food. It’s a reminder that food is so much more than just sustenance – it’s a way of connecting with our past, our culture, and each other. So the next time you sit down to enjoy some soul food, take a moment to appreciate the incredible journey that each dish has taken to get to your plate. And who knows – maybe you’ll be inspired to try some West or Central African dishes for yourself!

Here at Nkwa Dua, we get visits from people from the US traveling to Ghana who crave soul food and want to try Ghanaian food. We also meet Ghanaians who want both. Collectively we have influenced each other in meaningful ways and as a Kid Chef, I love being able to help people experience both.

Ghanaian vegan food the compares to United States African American soul food

Collard Greens & Nkontomirre
Collard Greens are classic soul food dish made with onions, garlic, and spices, simmered until tender and flavorful. It’s often served with cornbread and black-eyed peas. Nkonomirre is a leaf similar to a collard green. To prepare it correctly, it has to be boiled into a hearty tender consistency, too. Instead of Yam, in Ghana it’s usually eaten with yam or green (unripe) boiled plantain

Black-eyed Peas
This is a classic soul food dish made with black-eyed peas, onions, garlic, and spices. In both places, it is often flavored with cumin and bay leaves. In the United States it’s usually prepared with a vegetable oil and smoked paprika. In Ghana it’s prepared plain or with red oil and pepper.

Okra and Okoro
Okra and Okro is the same plant just called different things in different parts of the world. In the US Okra is often battered and fried, making for a crispy and flavorful side dish or snack. It’s often served with a dipping sauce, such as hot sauce. But it is also steamed and served as a cooked dish. That is similar to okro stew found in Ghana. It’s heavily boiled in a heavy stew and served after it is tender and marinated.

I love making both the soul food version and the Ghanaian version of dishes for people. It helps people see how connected we really are as Africans.

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Join us for Kid Chef Ama Kambon’s sweet 16 at the Sankofa Guest House, a celebration that promises to be a feast for the senses!

Indulge in an array of Ghanaian and international vegan dishes, each a testament to Ama’s culinary prowess. 🍲

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Are you ready to celebrate Earth Day in the most fun and delicious way possible? Then come join me, Ama, for a special vegan cooking class for kids!

I’m so excited to share with you all my favorite recipes that are not only super yummy but also good for our planet! We’ll be making dishes with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables that will give us the energy to play and learn.

We’ll start by learning about the importance of eating healthy and plant-based foods and how they can help protect our beautiful planet. Then we’ll roll up our sleeves and get cooking! We’ll make everything from colorful salads to yummy smoothies and even some vegan desserts!

Not only will we have fun cooking together, but we’ll also get to make new friends and learn about different cultures. So come on over, and let’s celebrate Earth Day in the best way possible – with delicious food and new friends!

I can’t wait to meet you all and share my love for cooking and our planet with you. See you soon!

Lots of love,
Ama

I’m so excited to share with you all my favorite recipes that are not only super yummy but also good for our planet! We’ll be making dishes with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables that will give us energy to play and learn.

We’ll start by learning about the importance of eating healthy and plant-based foods, and how it can help protect our beautiful planet. Then we’ll roll up our sleeves and get cooking! We’ll make everything from colorful salads to yummy smoothies and even some vegan desserts!

Not only will we have fun cooking together, but we’ll also get to make new friends and learn about different cultures. So come on over and let’s celebrate Earth Day in the best way possible – with delicious food and new friends!

I can’t wait to meet you all and share my love for cooking and our planet with you. See you soon!

Lots of love,
Ama

Hi Everyone, Yes Nkwa Dua is the inventor of Ghana Fries. Everyone loves them, but I bet you didn’t know that they are not deep-fried. Do you want to know why? Here’s more info. If you want some Ghana fries to eat while you read this blog, click here to order Nkwa Dua’s Ghana Fries.

If you want to understand a side-by-side comparison of air frying versus deep frying, I’m going to share everything you wanted to know. I’ll compare which is more beneficial for health, energy costs, food costs, food taste/texture, and safety.

What is Air Frying

Air frying is a relatively new cooking technique that has recently gained popularity.
Restaurants frequently employ it to prepare their food because it is a healthier alternative to deep frying.
French fries are one of the foods that are most frequently air-fried.
Let’s discuss why Nkwa Dua prefers shallow fry or air fry foods like fries rather than deep fry.

Air Frying versus Deep Frying – Health Comparison

First off, frying in the air is healthier than deep frying.
To deep-fry, you submerge food in scalding oil, which can boost the item’s calorie and fat content.
The dish may also absorb too much oil from the hot oil, turning it greasy and unhealthy.

Air Frying versus Deep Frying – Oil use ingredient costs Comparison

Contrastingly, air frying uses hot air to cook the food rather than just oil, which consumes less oil overall. As a result, the food is less oily and has a lower calorie and fat content. Air frying appeals to the health-conscious since it enables you to indulge in your favorite cuisine without jeopardizing their well-being.

Air Frying Versus Deep Frying – Taste Texture Comparison

Second, air frying can make french fries’ texture better. Deep-fried fries can be highly crispy on the outside yet soggy on the inside. This happens due to the high oil temperature, which causes the fries’ exterior to cook more quickly than their interior. In contrast, air frying cooks the fries using hot air, resulting in a more uniform texture.

The fries are more satisfying to eat since they have a crispy exterior and a soft interior.

Our fries now have a better texture than our competition, which is a big plus for us.

Air Frying versus Deep Frying – Environmental Impact and Carbon Footprint  Comparison

Thirdly, air frying is less harmful to the environment than deep frying. You need large amounts of oil for deep frying, and if you do not dispose of the oil appropriately, it can be wasteful. It is necessary to dispose of used oil in a method that doesn’t hurt the environment, such as recycling it or taking it to a facility that turns waste into energy. On the other hand, air frying uses little to no oil, reducing discarded waste.  Reducing our carbon footprint is a huge bonus for those who care about the environment.

Air Frying versus Deep Frying – Energy Costs Comparison

If you are now considering getting an air fryer, great! A fourth great reason to air fry is that the long-term costs may be lower with air frying than deep frying.

Even while they can cost more than deep fryers, air fryers often use less energy.

Compared to deep fryers, air fryers take less energy to heat up because hot air cooks the food.
Our food service chose to employ air fryers, and we have seen a reduction in energy costs as a result.

Also, air fryers use less oil than deep fryers, which may result in lower oil expenditures over time.

So again, while an air fryer may initially cost more than a deep fryer, the long-term cost savings make it an investment advantageous for your family’s wallet and health.

Air Frying versus Deep Frying – Personal Safety Comparison

Finally, frying food in the air can be a safer cooking technique than deep frying. If the hot oil for deep frying splashes, pops, or spills, it can cause severe third-degree burn injuries. As a food service, air frying is safer to protect our people. You may choose the same thing for your home. If you get injured while cooking alone, it may be difficult to get help. But if you are cooking with others there could be a greater chance of a bump or mishap causing an accident involving the hot oil. If you use an air fryer at home it’s also a safer solution.

In conclusion, if you are deciding whether to try air frying now, you know it can be safer for your family, healthier, better for the environment, use 99% less oil, and improve texture and taste—hooray for easy decisions.

Are you ready to taste our Ghana Fries? Click here for order options.  They go great with lots of meals on our Delivery Menu.  If you get some, be sure to take a video or pic and tag us on Abibitumi, Instagram, and Facebook.