Still journeying through Africa, we watched a couple of famous African stories turned into YouTube videos: Mama Panya’s Pancakes and Anansi and the Pot of Beans. Anansi is a recurring character from many African folktales. He is usually seen as a spider, which is how he appears in the Pot of Beans story. The boys enjoyed these stories, especially the way Anansi and the Pot of Beans explained why Anansi doesn’t have hair…he burned it off hiding a pot of beans on his head which he wasn’t supposed to be eating. Having watched the story, I wonder how long it’ll take the twins from asking their grandfather if that’s what happened to him! We made it through a few more African movies. The Ghost and the Darkness kept the boys on the edges of their seats, while Born Free and Disney Nature’s African Cats both had Luke crying. Actually, the poor guy fell asleep crying after African Cats. He has always had a hard time with animal movies, though, whether documentary style or fiction. Everything from Planet Earth to Free Willy “broke” him for the night after watching. Free Willy ended happily, if you remember, but still it got him. Moving on to food to get the kid happy again, we made Peanut Stew or Peanut Soup. I read it both ways. Here’s the recipe I used: https://cookieandkate.com/2013/west-african-peanut-soup/. As with the jollof rice, this was a really simple recipe which turns out looking complex and impressive. I will admit to being a bit apprehensive when I read you’d mix peanut butter with tomato paste and vegetable broth…First thought? Yuck! But then I remember my mom’s vegetable soup which was filled with tomatoes and which we’d happily stick peanut butter crackers and peanut butter sandwiches into. So, with that thought, I stirred up this concoction and taste tested it. Yes, just like mom’s vegetable soup! You then pour this over brown rice and garnish with peanuts. It tastes as good as it looks. This has been a favorite so far with my boys. Well, this and the fufu…which if you read my last post, you’ll know I am not 100% certain I cooked correctly. Sooo, we’ll keep the peanut stew recipe and maybe hold off on the fufu. To make the cooking experience even more fun? We add the music of the land while cooking. Ali Farka and African drums. You may remember Ali Farka from the Unfaithful soundtrack. Amazing sound, amazing voice. And speaking of African drums? Next up on the African list is learning a dance. Video will be made. For future reference. For project documentation. For educational purposes. For blackmail in the boys’ teen years.
Check out more of our World Culture Tour.
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