The African Table: West African Cooking for Beginners: Simple Jollof, Stews, Plantains, Grilled Foods, Beans, Breads, and Home-style Recipes Lyons Kitchen Book

Bring the bold, comforting flavors of West African cooking into your kitchen with simple recipes made for real home cooks.
The African Table: West African Cooking for Beginners is a warm, practical cookbook filled with jollof-style rice dishes, rich stews, fried plantains, grilled foods, beans, breads, sauces, soups, vegetables, and family-style meals inspired by the home kitchens and food traditions of Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and beyond.
This book was created for beginners who want flavor without confusion. You do not need a professional kitchen, rare equipment, or a pantry full of hard-to-find ingredients. With clear steps, approachable guidance, and both U.S. and international measurements, Amara Ndlovu helps you build confidence one recipe at a time.
Inside, you will find:
• 100+ beginner-friendly recipes
• Jollof-style rice dishes and everyday grain plates
• Tomato-pepper stews, groundnut flavors, and rich pot meals
• Fried plantains, beans, yam, greens, and vegetable sides
• Grilled foods, seafood, chicken, beef, and shared-table plates
• Pepper sauces, relishes, marinades, and flavor builders
• Breakfasts, breads, small bites, and home-style comfort foods
• Beginner pantry guidance and grocery support
• Easy recipe pairings for real-life meals
This cookbook is not about making West African food feel complicated. It is about helping you understand the building blocks: rice, peppers, onions, tomatoes, beans, plantains, greens, spices, sauces, and shared meals that bring people to the table.
Whether you are new to African cooking, exploring your roots, cooking for family, or simply looking for bold and comforting recipes, this book gives you a welcoming place to begin. Cook with curiosity. Cook with respect. Cook with flavor.
“Welcome to the table.”- Amara Ndlovu