All posts tagged: bean cake

The Perks of Being a West African Wall Flower…. [Akara vs Acaraje]

I love watching travel shows. Soon after they’re done, I close my eyes, and imagine that I’m magically transported there. Right in the center of it all. To date, my two favorite travel show hosts, in this wonderful mix of TV and my zany imagination, are: the straight shooting Anthony Bourdain, and the irresistible Errol Barnett (what a smile). Its my adult version of make believe; but its something that has always gotten me through tough times. I have no complaints. Except for…. Whenever I read or hear people discuss “African cuisine”, they only mention Morocco. Why only Morocco? This happens often, and when it does, a weird feeling comes seeping out of me. I’ve been told I make a fart face, then, as soon as it appears, I suppress it. Its a hard feeling to describe, but its an unhealthy mixture of pity, shame, annoyance, and the sting of frustration. And there was again yesterday. I still feel a bit overwhelmed by it all. How can people out there still fail to understand that: Africa is a continent, not a country. …