10 Spicy African Party Favorites

Jollof Rice

Jollof Rice is a beloved West African dish, bursting with flavors and vibrant colors, perfect for any party setting.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of long-grain parboiled rice
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 medium tomatoes, blended
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, green beans)

Cooking method:

1. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat and sauté onions and garlic until translucent.
2. Stir in tomato paste and blended tomatoes, cooking until the oil begins to separate.
3. Add thyme, curry powder, salt, pepper, and bay leaf, then pour in the broth and bring to a boil.
4. Stir in the rice and reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for 20 minutes.
5. Add mixed vegetables and cook for another 5-10 minutes, until rice is cooked through.

Peri-Peri Chicken Wings

Peri-Peri Chicken Wings offer a spicy kick as a party snack, bringing the taste of Mozambique to your table.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs chicken wings
• 1/2 cup peri-peri sauce
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with foil.
2. Toss the chicken wings with olive oil, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
3. Spread wings on the baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes.
4. Brush with peri-peri sauce and bake for an additional 10 minutes until crispy and cooked through.

Suya Skewers

These spicy Nigerian beef skewers make for a mouth-watering addition to any party menu.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb beef sirloin, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons ground peanuts
• 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt to taste
• Bamboo skewers, soaked in water

Cooking method:

1. Mix peanuts, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt into a seasoning blend.
2. Coat beef slices evenly with the seasoning and thread onto skewers.
3. Grill on medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes on each side, until cooked to desired doneness.

Piri Piri Shrimp

Piri Piri Shrimp brings a fiery Portuguese flair with African roots to your party spread.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/4 cup piri piri sauce
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Marinate shrimp in piri piri sauce, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper for 30 minutes.
2. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
3. Skewer the shrimp and grill for 2-3 minutes per side until fully cooked.

Bobotie Bites

A South African classic, Bobotie Bites are mini versions of the flavorful, spiced dish, perfect for appetizers.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons curry powder
• 1 tablespoon apricot jam
• 2 slices white bread, soaked in milk and squeezed dry
• 2 eggs
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Sauté onion with curry powder until soft, then add beef until browned.
3. Mix in apricot jam, bread, salt, and pepper.
4. Press mixture into mini muffin tins and top with beaten egg.
5. Bake for 20 minutes until golden.

Puff-Puff

This popular West African snack is golden and crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside, with a hint of spice.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon yeast
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/4 cups warm water
• Vegetable oil for frying

Cooking method:

1. Combine flour, sugar, nutmeg, yeast, and salt in a bowl.
2. Gradually add warm water, mixing until you achieve a smooth batter.
3. Cover and let it rise for 1 hour.
4. Heat oil in a deep pan and drop spoonfuls of batter to fry until golden brown.

Bunny Chow

Bunny Chow, a South African street food, is a hollowed bread loaf filled with spicy curry, perfect for a hearty party dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 loaf of white bread
• 1 lb chicken breast, cubed
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons curry powder
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 cup chicken broth
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking method:

1. Sauté the onion in a pot until translucent, then add curry powder and chicken.
2. Stir in tomato paste and broth, cooking until chicken is tender.
3. Cut the loaf into quarters, hollow them out, and fill with curry.

Boerewors Sausages

These flavorful South African sausages make a substantial and spicy addition to any party barbecue.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs boerewors sausage
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Braai spice or seasoning to taste

Cooking method:

1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
2. Brush sausages with olive oil and season with braai spice.
3. Grill sausages for 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally, until cooked through.

Chapati and Spicy Samosa

Inspired by East African cuisine, chapati paired with spicy samosa redefines party snacking.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour (for chapati)
• Salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons oil
• Water for kneading
• For samosas: 1 lb ground beef, 1 onion, chopped, 1 tablespoon cumin, salt, and pepper

Cooking method:

1. Mix flour, salt, oil, and water to form a dough, then roll out and cook chapatis on a hot skillet.
2. For samosas, sauté onion and beef with cumin, salt, and pepper.
3. Fill wrappers with beef mix and fry until golden.

Zesty Fried Plantains

Fried plantains with a zesty twist are a delightful sweet and spicy treat to serve at any gathering.

Ingredients:

• 4 ripe plantains, peeled and sliced
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt to taste
• Vegetable oil for frying

Cooking method:

1. Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
2. Season plantain slices with cayenne, paprika, and salt.
3. Fry plantains in batches until golden brown and crispy.