Kuka Soup - Nigeria

Nigeria

Seeing how a majority of the African girls registered on our fledgling online dating network are from Nigeria, we figured a bit of home cooking might freshen your palette a bit. Break out the ladle because we are going to whip up a batch of kuka soup. For this particular recipe, there are a few tools you will need to get the job done. Make sure you have:

• A pestle and mortar to grind ingredients into a fine paste. Although not nearly as authentic, a food processor will do as well.
• A large pot for boiling, of course.
• Kitchen knives capable of cutting through flesh.

Kuka soup is a traditional Nigerian dish so the ingredients, not so surprisingly, are mostly indigenous to the West African region, particularly the baobab leaf. The baobab leaf is a staple of the Savanna lands below the Sahara. It is sometimes steamed and eaten like spinach, but more oft than not, the baobab leaf is used in soups, sauces, stews and the like. 

For this particular recipe, we are going to use the baobab leaf to make enough soup for four. If you can't get your hands on the beloved baobab leaf (450 grams worth), you can always substitute it with file powder (8 tablespoons worth), which is ground up sassafra leaves. At any rate, these are the other ingredients you will need and should be able to procure without too much hassle:

• ground up okra (450g)
• 6-8 fresh tomatoes
• 2 small onions
• a slab of fresh fish of your choice
• 2 fresh chili peppers
• 12 tbsp of palm oil
• 2L of fresh water
• table salt

Now that you have your ingredients at the ready, let's get to cooking, shall we.
DIRECTION

1. For starters, you will want to give that fish of yours a thorough rinsing just for sanitary reasons. One can never be too safe. Once you are done washing the fish, go ahead and add whatever seasonings you would normally when preparing fish. Salt and pepper is a safe bet. Once you have finished seasoning, cleave the fish into relatively thin sliced filets and set them aside on a cutting board or baking sheet.
2. Next up, you are going to mash those small onions, fresh chili peppers and juicy tomatoes into a fine paste. That's where your trusty pestle and mortar come in handy. Again, a food processor works just as well if not better.
3. Take that large pot and lace it up with the 12 tablespoons of palm oil and the 2 liters of fresh water. Time to fire up that stove and bring the pot of water and oil to a boil. Once you hear the water percolating, reduce to a simmer.
4. Hope you are ready because there's no turning back now. Toss in the fish filets as well as the pureed veggies and allow it to cook for a good 20-25 minutes.
5. Remember the baobab leaf and the ground up okra? Now's the time to introduce the real flavor of kuka soup. Stir it in and continue to do so for the next ten minutes.
6. Using your best judgement, shut off the stove when you think the soup has reached a nigh-feverish pitch. Take that trusty spoon of yours and have a licks. Season to taste and voila, kuka soup is served.

Kuka soup can be served with rice or even tofu if you prefer. West Africans would typically add a side of cassava greens and spinach, but feel free to apply this dish however you see fit. Cooking is a gift meant to be shared. Let us know how this recipe worked out for you. Until next time, my friends.  

Africa's Snowiest Slopes

Believe it or not, but there is such a thing as snow in Africa. However rare it may be, there are but a handful of mountain ranges in continental Africa that see enough powder to be considered a snow resort of sorts little less a ski destination. If your expectations have not been lowered yet, I regret to inform you that of the three possible places to experience snow in Africa, one of them has been auctioned off.

Tiffindell in South Africa

Up until 2009, Tiffindell, a 101 hectare property located in the southern region of Drakensberg (South Africa), was Africa's Whistler. Apparently, it was't just the short-sighted bankers involved in the antics that brought about the economic crash of 2008. Today, the fate of the ski resort is mired in legal disputes between the current owners and the liquidators with money, of course, being at the root. Although snow still falls on Tiffindell slopes, no one will be allowed to enjoy it until that legal situation gets sorted.

Oukaimeden in Morocco

In the meantime, the only other place worth the trek would be the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco where there are actually two ski resorts - Oukaimeden and Mischliffn. With Mischliffen being the lesser developed of the two, we will word economize and focus a bit on Oukaimeden. Located about 45 miles south of Marrakech is Africa's highest elevated ski resort at a dizzying 3,258 meters above level.

As far as ski spots go, Oukaimeden is not by any means a massive park. There are somewhere between 20-25 runs with 11 lifts to haul you and your gear up and across the various slopes. Compared to the 100 plus runs you would be entreated to at a Whistler or a Swiss Alps, the number pales in comparison. Still though, as the saying would have it, "when in Rome, do as the Romans do." If you are in Africa (particularly the north) and you get the sudden urge to strap on some skis and hit the slopes, Oukaimeden in Morocco is your go-to destination.

There is tricky part the less worldly travelers often overlook. You have to time your trips wisely as the seasons differ depending on what side of the equator you find yourself. Had Tiffindell still been an option, the best times to see snow and ski would have to be between the months of June and August, the winter months of the southern hemisphere. North of the equator however, the limited window is open only from January to February.

Suffice it to say, if skiing is your passion, the only reason for hauling your gear to Africa would be for bragging rights to say you surfed the slopes of humankind's birthplace. The main motive behind publishing this article was to demonstrate that Africa is not any one specific terrain and climate. There are untamed jungles, sun-scorched deserts, burgeoning metropolises and even snow-capped mountain ranges. Did you know there were athletes representing African countries in the winter games? No, well I suppose that's an entry for another time. Stay tuned to the blog.

Behind the Beauty: Iman

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" spread out throughout our globe to point out that all women are pretty and individualistic. However, not all women might combine natural beauty of both: appearance and mind. Therefore, a mix of beauty and intelligence brings enormous popularity and recognition to our celebrities and successful businesswomen. It is obvious that African region is tuned up with gorgeous African goddesses as any other parts of the world. So, let's talk about one of the most remarkable African beauties. She is one of the most famous and successful African fashion model, actress, and entrepreneur, Iman Mohamed Abdulmajid. In the media world she is known as Iman. She was born on July 25, 1955 in Mogadishu, Somalia. Naturally beautiful and smart Iman attended high school in Egypt and later studied political science at the University of Nairobi, Kenya. Plus, she managed to become fluent in five languages: English, Somali, Arabic, French, and Italian. According to Iman, she has never considered herself as beautiful when she was a teenager:

“When I was in high school -- we were like 4,000 or 5,000 students, and 50 girls -- and I didn't have a date for my prom. My father paid my cousin to take me.”

However, during her college year, a dark swan turned into a beautiful flower who was right away noticed by  the American photographer, Peter Beard, who influenced the growth of her modeling career and migration to the US. After her successful debut for Vogue in 1976, she became a cover of most of the prestigious fashion magazines which quite quickly moved her to the status of a supermodel. 

Even though Iman has been insisting that she has a typical Somali look, the whole world has been stricken by the beauty of Iman's frail frame with a long neck, copper-toned skin, and an exotic accent. After almost two decades of modeling career, Iman turned into a businesswoman. She launched her own cosmetics line for ethical women. Further, she launched her own clothing design line, followed by significant works on TV and movies. In addition, she turned a completely different angel of her field of expertise and has worked on creating video games, and charitable endeavors.  

Over the course of her flourishing career in different fields of business and media worlds, Iman's dedicated work has been rewarded multiple times. She became not only one of the most rewarded and successful women of Africa, but also around the world. I have to highlight that she managed not only always look gorgeous and successful, but also play her part as as lovely wife to a British rock musician David Bowie, and a role model mother for her two daughter and step son. If you are one of those men who are driven by the beauty of intelligent African women like Iman, hurry up to meet up with African queens on African Date. 

"Queen for a Day" Miriam from Ikorodu

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Here she is - the very first "Queen for a Day" on the official blog of the African-Date online dating network - Mariam, a 20 year old college student from Ikodoru, Nigeria.

She shares:

"I like to play golf."

"Mariam is my name. I am a student. I love to study, because you may obtain a lot of new information, know a lot of interesting things and facts."

"I want to find a man who will listen to my advices, who will respect me and love me like I will."

Miriam's profile ID number on the Dream-Marriage online dating network is: 112385.

Africa Day - Unity in Diverisity Amid Adversity

"The wind of change is blowing through this continent, and whether we like it or not, this growth of national consciousness is a political fact. We must accept it as a fact, and our national policies must take account of it."

- former England PM, Harold MacMillan (1960)

Approximately three years prior to the defining moment that chrisened Africa Day, then-Enland Prime Minister had said the above quote in a speech addressed to the South Africa Parliament. At the time of PM MacMillan's speech, South Africa was very much divided by apartheid and would remain so until the early 90s. His words, however, hinted at an Africa not yet realized.

May 25, 1963 - under the leadership of Haile Selassie I, the heads of 32 African states met in Addis-Adaba to sign a historical charter that would establish the Organizationn of African Unity (OAU). So what exactly spearheaded an otherwise splintered continent to rise up and unite? The organization banded together what nations they could in hopes that a united front could eradicate any and all forms of colonialism as well as pull together a public face recognizable on the world stage. This forging of a bond between these 32 nations is remembered on what was once African Liberation Day and now Africa Day.



There is still much in the way of political strife and military conflict between neighboring countries over Africa's many natural resources. Although Africa still has much soul searching and healing to experience before Africa Day can truly be a day of blissful celebration, Africa Day is a an occasion for celebrating Africa's diversity and mutuality. United in the struggle, Africa is a continent rich in its history and heritage. To forget would be a slight to the face of the generations of Africans, who perservered and strove for independence. Africa Day is a day of reflection and realization. Looking back on the achievements of the past, the future is ripe with potential. It is not just hope of a better tomorrow, but a promise as well.

Did You Know?

• Despite being the world's poorest continent, Africa is quite rich in natural resources possesssing 99% of the world's chrome resources, 85% of its platinum, 70% of its tantalite, 68% of its cobalt, 54% of its gold plus significant oil and gas reserves.
• The OAU is now composed of 52 African states. In 2012, Mali and Guinea-Bissau were both suspended from the union because of massively disruptive military coups.
• No woman has ever served as chairperson of the OAU.
• Seun Kuti is the youngest son of the late great Nigerian musician, Fela Kuti, and the Egypt 80 was also Fela Kuti's band. 
• In 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. gave his historical "I Have A Dream".

Back to Basics: Africa in a Nutshell

Get your pen and pad ready because there just might be a quiz after your read this. As the old adage would have it, you must crawl before you walk. For those of you who know absolutely nothing about Africa, here is an excellent place to start. This is but part one of two so pace yourself: 

What's in a Name? Although there are more than a few theories brewing behind the origin of the name, "Africa", there is one particular ideal that has been circulating about for quite some time. Etymologists, or historians who specialize in the study of linguistics, believe that the name, "Africa", is derived from "Afri". This was the name used to label the tribe of natives, who inhabited the deserts of North Africa near Carthage around the third century B.C. 

El Djem Amphitheater in Tunisia

Both the ancient Greeks and Romans would go on to coin the term, "Africa", to refer to the northern region of what was then thought to be the entirety of the African continent. Semantically-speaking, Africa can be broken down as "land without cold". The root of the Greek word for "Africa" was "Aphrike", which when translated meant "without cold". The suffix, "ca", was Roman and applied to denote country or land mass. 

Considering North Africa is predominantly made up of the Saharan Desert, it really should come as no surprise that when translated from Latin, "Africa" meant "sunny". If there's one thing Africa is not short on, it is most definitely tanning weather.

Did You Know? Africa, the central eastern section specifically, is believed by most scientists to be birth place of humans and great apes. In fact, the earliest remains of modern Homo Sapien were discovered in Ethiopia. The fossils carbon-date over 200,000 years ago. Then in 1974, the skeleton of "Lucy", an erect-walking primate who lived approximately 3.2 million years ago, was discovered by Donald C. Johanson in Hadar, Ethiopia. The hominid named after the Beatles' song, "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" proved to be a monumental piece to the puzzle linking the humans as we are now with that of prehistoric times.

Five years later, the footprints of more hominids were discovered along the beaten path of a 165-foot trail in the Kibish region of Tanzania. Those two discoveries cemented northeastern Africa as the birthplace of humanity. 

All For One and One For All? Contrary to what some may believe ("Palin Didn't Know Africa Is A Continent, Says Fox News Reporter"| Huffington Post), Africa is not one unified country. Far from it in fact, Africa is a continent divided into 54 total countries with South Sudan being the latest addition back in July of 2011. There are also a number of other disputed territories whose futures are still being decided, namely Western Sahara and Somaliland. 

How Many and How Old? With 54 countries planting their flags in the expanse that is the African continent, should it come as any surprise that there are nearly one billion people that make up the total population? Among the top five most populous countries in Africa, Nigeria is at the top with 155,215,573. Ethiopia, Egypt, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Africa follow with none of them breaking the 100 million mark. 

There has been a bit of a population boom over the past 40 years. This sudden surge in births also means that the average age of the general population is relative young when compared to that of other countries with similar numbers. Reportedly, more than half the population in many African countries is under the age of 25.   

Looks Can Be Deceiving. Of the seven continents that once made up Pangaea before the break-up, Africa is the second largest of the lot. Of the Earth's 57,308, 738 square miles in land area, Africa accounts for approximately 22% with 11,608,000 square miles. Oddly enough, due to a very limited number of estuaries and inlets, Africa just so happens to have the shortest coastline of the seven continents.

This just part one of two. Check back in sometime soon for the other half when we reveal some not so well known tidbits about Africa. We're talking factoids that may just win you some bar cash on trivia night or something. There's also the whole impressing girls with your worldly knowledge too. Thanks for reading.