MASTERCLASS: Plant Based West African Cooking

Masterclass - MASTERCLASS: Plant Based West African Cooking

The Event

Join vegan chef, TV personality and author, Nena Ubani to make a mouth-watering and authentic West African meal that’s a taste sensation.

We'll begin by crafting a luxurious, creamy Toasted Pumpkin Seed Soup. You’ll learn how to toast pumpkin seeds to bring out their natural nutty flavor and incorporate them into a rich soup base. This dish is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients, offering a comforting start to our meal.

Main Course:

• Jollof Quinoa: Next, we'll dive into the heart of West African cuisine with Jollof Quinoa. This dish is a healthy spin on the traditional Jollof Rice, substituting quinoa for rice, which brings a nutty flavor and fluffy texture. You’ll master the technique of cooking quinoa in a deeply spiced tomato sauce, creating a vibrant and aromatic dish that's both satisfying and nutritious.

• Grilled Spicy Mushrooms (Suya-Marinated): To complement the Jollof Quinoa, we'll prepare Grilled Spicy Mushrooms marinated in authentic Nigerian Suya spices. Suya is a popular West African street food known for its smoky, spicy flavors, typically used on meats. Here, we'll apply it to mushrooms, showing how versatile and flavorful plant-based cooking can be. You’ll learn the art of marinating and grilling to achieve perfectly charred, succulent mushrooms.

• Duchess Nena's Special Green Salad: We'll also prepare Duchess Nena's special green salad, a vibrant and refreshing side that balances the heat of the mushrooms and the richness of the Jollof Quinoa. This salad is a medley of crisp greens, fresh herbs, and a tangy dressing, providing a perfect counterpoint to the bold flavors of the main course.

• Sweet Cinnamon Roasted Plantain: No West African-inspired meal is complete without plantains! You’ll learn how to make Sweet Cinnamon Roasted Plantain, where ripe plantains are caramelized with cinnamon, creating a sweet and spicy side that pairs beautifully with the rest of the meal.

Drink: Palmwine Mimosa

Finally, we'll toast to our culinary creations with a Palmwine Mimosa. This refreshing drink combines the traditional African palm wine with the effervescence of champagne and a splash of citrus juice. You’ll discover how to balance these flavors to create a unique and celebratory drink that’s perfect for any occasion.

What You’ll Learn:

• The fundamentals of West African spices and ingredients.
• Techniques for toasting seeds, marinating, and grilling.
• How to adapt traditional dishes with modern, healthy alternatives.
• Presentation skills to make your dishes look as good as they taste.

By the end of this class, you'll not only have created a complete, delicious meal but also gained valuable culinary skills that you can apply to your everyday cooking. Whether you’re looking to impress at your next dinner party or simply enjoy a flavorful home-cooked meal, this class will leave you inspired and equipped to explore new tastes and techniques in the kitchen.

About the chef: Nena Ubani

Nena Ubani (also known as Duchess Nena) is a self-taught vegan chef, television & radio personality, author, and master herbalist. She developed an interest in cooking over 20 years ago while working as a sous chef in a restaurant. Her interest in cooking and creating recipes were revived when she became vegan four years ago. Nena believes that food is medicine and incorporates healing herbs in her cooking.