| Unlike many other parts of the great African continent, | | | | numerous wild fruits and greens that are used in all |
| West Africans can boast of more healthy eating | | | | different manners of cooking. Yam feast days are |
| habits. Nigeria and other coastal parts of West Africa | | | | common, this often accompanied with eggs. West |
| are generally fonder of chilies in food than other | | | | African cuisine delights in the making of croquettes |
| African cuisine entertains. Many coastal recipes include | | | | particularly when made of yams and fried in peanut oil. |
| fish prepared in different ways. Often the fish is | | | | Along with the banana and plantain, which is really the |
| marinated in ginger, tomatoes, and cayenne, and then | | | | starchy vegetable form of banana, these comprise the |
| cooked in peanut oil. | | | | most important elements of the diet. |
| Thanks to the influence of French cooking styles in | | | | Basic cooking techniques of West Africa often |
| Senegal, chefs often use lime juice, chopped | | | | combine fish and meat. In fact a very popular and |
| vegetables including scallions, garlic and marinades as | | | | highly flavored stew of this is made by adding flaked |
| additions to their meals. One would also find that | | | | and dried fish to heated oil and combined with chicken, |
| peanut oil, palm oil, and often coconut oils are common | | | | yam, onions, chili oil and water. Most West Africans |
| ingredients in all dishes. The black eyed pea is a staple | | | | don't fancy hard meat and as a result, one would find |
| of West Africa. Okra, known also in South America, is | | | | that beef and mutton are not common in West Africa. |
| native to Africa. It is often used in many dishes to | | | | It is in fact used mostly as a condiment; as it is very |
| thicken soups and stews. With regards to the fruits | | | | tough. Thus the West African diet tends to be a little |
| bananas and coconuts are of particular importance. | | | | healthier above the other cuisines of Africa as it |
| Within each locality one will find that there are | | | | boasts of fish and chicken based meats. |