Nigeria is often referred to as the “Giant of Africa”, being both the most populous and wealthiest nation on the continent. The combination of a long history, diverse population and varied geography provides a fertile soil for a complex and varied cuisine, but one sadly underrepresented in Toronto. Nigerian cuisine, like West African cuisine in general, is known for its richness and variety. Many different spices, herbs and ingredients provide a broad pallet for deeply flavoured dishes, often enlivened with a chilli pepper kick. Nigerian feasts are colourful and lavish; market and street foods are plentiful and varied.

Tonight the remarkable Beauty Obasuyi, chef, real estate maven, philanthropist, Guinness World Record holder and successful restaurateur behind Naija Jollof (with 5 locations around the GTA), will be our expert tour guide through some of the most popular dishes in Nigerian cuisine.
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—Small Chops—
In Nigeria, quick finger foods for sharing are referred to as ‘small chops’, and all different kinds can be found in the profusion of street stalls and market vendors.

Puff Puff is a traditional snack beloved by children and adults alike across Africa. A yeasted dough is left to rise, formed into small balls and deep fried, and then sometimes dusted with sweet spices like nutmeg or cinnamon..

Spring Rolls Like in Canada, Chinese immigrants and entrepreneurs in Nigeria introduced elements of Asian cuisine which have since become embraced and beloved by the population. A thin flour pastry rolled around diced vegetables, and fried until crispy, served with Naija Jollof’s signature African-Asian house sauce.

Zobo is the Hausa word for a beverage made of sorrel, the dried flowers of the Hibiscus plant. Boiled with warm spices like ginger and tropical fruits such as orange and pineapple, the result is a tangy, refreshing libation.

—Appetizer—

Roasted Mackerel with Garden Egg Sauce is an thick stew of charred, roasted mackerel pieces bathed in a red bell pepper and onion base and studded with hard boiled eggs.

Boiled Plantains are a staple of many African cuisines and provide a savoury, starchy accompaniment to many soups and stews.

Honey Beans in Tomato – a variety of the more commonly known in the West black eyed pea, the honey bean is a strain containing a higher natural sweetness. In Nigeria they are enjoyed in a variety of ways, but most often cooked in palm oil down into a porridge of tomato, onion and pepper (sometimes including scotch bonnet for kick).

—Main—

Jollof Rice is perhaps the most singularly ubiquitous dish across West Africa and for good reason. Long grain rice is cooked with precise care in a broth of tomato, chilis, onions and sometimes other vegetables and/or meat depending on the particular chef or regional variation. Which country/city/locale makes the best versions is the topic of endless debate across West Africa, resulting in a friendly rivalry known as the ‘Jollof Wars’ in 2010.

Southern Nigerian Grilled Chicken features a marinade of spices most commonly seen in the South, closer to the sea. Ginger and garlic are mixed with spices and yaji (a mixture of ground peanuts and chiles). The meat is grilled at a high temperature to retain maximum juiciness while drawing out the complex smokiness of the spices.

Suya Beef is another staple dish and popular street food consisting of grilled beef marinated in distinctive suya spices. Similar to yaji but with the addition of Kuli Kuli (a ground peanut paste), the flavour is so beloved that you’ll find it on everything from kabobs to French fries and even popcorn. As with ‘curry’ there is no set standard mixture of Suya, allowing each cook or family to boast their own version.

Side Salad of lettuce, tomato and onion provides some cooling crunch to the savoury & spicy dishes.

—Dessert—

Macedonia Fruit Salad with Vanilla Ice Cream A chopped fresh fruit salad with homemade vanilla ice cream.  ‘Macédoine’ is a classical French culinary term that refers to fruits or veg cut into large dice (and/or a salad made with them), most likely connected to the large, rustic cuts used in Greek-style salads.
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Beauty Obasuyi is a Nigerian chef, entrepreneur, philanthropist and author based in Canada. Beauty is the founder of called Naija Jollof, a local chain of African restaurants in the GTA
@naijajolloftoronto
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Every weekend The Depanneur invites a guest chef to host a fun, family-style dinner party.
@thedepanneur