Watch Cooking Medicine African Dishes

Cooking Medicine African Dishes is a culinary and cultural journey through the continent of Africa. The film features a variety of chefs and home cooks preparing traditional dishes from different regions and tribes of Africa, all of which are believed to have medicinal properties. The documentary begins in Morocco, where we are introduced to a Berber family who specialize in preparing tagines. The Berber people have been using spices such as cumin, coriander, and saffron for their medicinal benefits for centuries, and these spices feature heavily in their cooking. We see the family prepare a lamb tagine with apricots and almonds, which is said to be good for the digestive system.

The film then moves on to West Africa, where we meet a Ghanaian chef who specializes in cooking with cassava leaves. Cassava leaves are rich in vitamin B, iron, and calcium and are thought to boost immunity. The chef prepares a stew with chicken and cassava leaves, served with fufu, a starchy accompaniment made from plantains or yams.

Next, we travel to Ethiopia, where we learn about the medicinal properties of teff, a gluten-free grain that is used to make injera, the spongy bread that accompanies all Ethiopian meals. Teff is high in protein, fiber, calcium, and iron and is said to be good for bone health. We watch as a group of Ethiopian women prepare a variety of stews and curries served with injera.

The film then takes us to South Africa, where we meet a chef who is passionate about using indigenous plants and herbs in his cooking. He takes us on a foraging trip in the Cape fynbos region, where we see him picking wild rosemary, buchu, and rooibos. Back in the kitchen, he prepares a cape Malay curry with lamb, sweet potatoes, and rooibos.

Moving on to East Africa, the film takes us to Tanzania, where we learn about the medicinal properties of baobab fruit. Baobab is high in vitamin C, potassium, and calcium and is said to be good for digestion and reducing inflammation. We see a group of women preparing a stew with beef, spinach, and baobab fruit, served with uji, a fermented porridge made from millet or sorghum.

The documentary ends in Nigeria, where we meet a chef who specializes in making suya, a West African street food consisting of grilled spiced meat served with onion relish and peanut sauce. The chef explains that the spices used in suya, such as ginger and cloves, have been used in traditional medicine for centuries to treat ailments such as colds and headaches.

Throughout the film, we get a glimpse into the rich cultural traditions of each region, with the preparation and sharing of food playing a central role in each community. The stunning landscapes and colorful markets that are featured in the film add to the immersive experience of discovering the medicinal properties of African cuisine.

In conclusion, Cooking Medicine African Dishes is a beautiful and informative documentary that celebrates the richness of African cuisine and culture. The film showcases the incredible diversity of traditional dishes and ingredients found throughout the continent and teaches us about the medicinal properties of these foods.