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west african spices
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2 Essential West African Inspired Spice Blends

Spices are the stars of our dishes so these two recipes are sure to elevate any west African recipe you make
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Cuisine: West African
Keyword: african ingredients, spices

Ingredients

Ghanaian all purpose seasoning

  • 2 tbsp Anise seeds
  • 1.5 tbsp Ginger powder
  • 1.5 tbsp Onion powder
  • 1.5 tsp Rosemary
  • 1 tsp alligator pepper efom wisa/grains of paradise
  • 1 tsp cloves
  • 6 calabash nutmegs hwediaba/ehuru
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tsp dried chillies
  • 2 tsp coriander seeds
  • 1.5 tsp cumin seeds
  • Salt to taste

West African Umami Seasoning

  • 2 tsp powder fermented locust beans iru/dawa dawa/soumbala
  • 1.5 tsp anise seeds
  • 1.5 tsp guinea cubeb esoro wisa/uziza seed
  • 1 tsp alligator pepper efom wisa
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1.5 tsp ginger powder
  • 3-4 small African bird's eye chillis mesua

Instructions

  • Measure out the spices for each spice blend
  • Grind in a coffee/spice grinder
  • Store in an air tight container

Notes

Substitutions
  1. Calabash nutmeg: Although listed as a nutmeg, it doesn't taste like nutmeg. Feel free to increase the quantity of cloves by 1/2 a tsp or completely omit
  2. Aligator Peppr: This pepper has a sharp and bright pepper flavor. Feel free to substitute with white or pink peppercorn
  3. Guinea Cubeb: Although it looks like a black peppercorn, it has a slightly different flavour, almost with a citrus undertone. Feel free to substitute with lemon pepper or black peppercorn with a dash of dried lemon powder
  4. Fermented Locust Beans/Dawa Dawa: Unfortunately this one is not substitutable, it has a unique smell and flavour. If you cannot find the powder and only find it frozen or dried,  feel free to give it a good rinse; dry it in a dehydrator, on your counter or in the oven at a low setting, then turn it into a powder.