The Ghana Cookery Book

Book excerpt: One of West Africa's earliest recipe books, "The Ghana Cookery Book" was first published in Accra in 1933. Over 800 recipes make use of a wealth of local ingredients: ripe, tropical fruit, abundant fresh fish from the Atlantic Ocean, exotic spices, and a profusion of vegetables, grains and nuts from the fertile plantations of the Gold Coast. Providing a fascinating, unique snapshot of West African cuisine during the colonial period, "The Ghana Cookery Book" features a number of charming period advertisements, and is packed with vintage hints and tips on running a household in tropical Africa. If you have an interest in West Africa and the cultural histories of the region, this book makes for essential and enjoyable reading.