The United States of an African

So, we’re still staying at home. Insert unenthusiastic yay! While I’ve been at home I’ve been cooking more than ever. Mostly because I can’t afford to occasionally order from DoorDash or GrubHub. I can’t even be mad because it’s been great for my diet and body. I adopted a flexitarian diet which basically means majority of my diet is non-processed and planted based. The beauty of this diet is that if I’m craving meat or seafood, I can totally still indulge. I just have to be mindful of the amount and frequency at which I intake animal products vs veggies. Okay, but how does this relate to the type of content you post on this blog? Thanks for possibly asking! Well the point of my blog, if you haven’t read my about page (please go read about me), is to share my experience as a Nigerian learning and embracing cultures within the US and outside. For me, food is one of the quickest ways to learn about culture. The ingredients in dishes have a history. The process tells a story of heritage. And if you ever get the chance to break bread with someone from a different ethnic background than yourself, the table is literally set for you to have open conversations about their history. I have a very diverse ethnic and cultural background. By blood, I am Ogoni, Igbo, Itsekiri and something else – I don’t know. All different ethnic groups in Nigeria. Because I traveled and moved around a lot, not only am I culturally Nigerian, but my family has adopted American (particularly southern), British and Dutch cultures. It’s evident in the meals we cook to how we celebrate certain holidays. All but one of my siblings have very adventurous palates because of this. I’m telling you, food is another way to explore the world! Anthony Bourdaine (RIP) knew this. And that’s why he will always be a fave!!! Before I get sidetracked, lets get back to the topic of this blog post. So I’ve been at home, can’t travel, I have time to cook, I have an interesting cultural background, and I am adventurous. What do I do? I try out fusion recipes! Particularly Nigerian fusion dishes. Thanks to creativity and inspiration from my Instagram friends and family, I’ve made the following dishes!

Southern cookin’ with Nigerian spices: Suya Spiced Chicken and Spicy Waffles

French treat with a Nigerian touch: Plantain Crepes Stuffed With Egg Stew

Mexican staple with Nigerian filling: Suya Tacos

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If you’d like to watch my process check out my IGTV series or my YouTube series. In the meantime, what other cuisines should I fuse with Nigerian? What types of dishes have you made during the lockdown? What are your favorites? Let’s have a discussion in the comments.

Cheers!