Bringing some of our African traditions to Carry Forth Tradition by Fatim

Hello my name is Fatoumata Kebe but my Family and Friends calls me Fatim for short. I'm originally from Guinea, West Africa.

I am a working mum with 3 beautiful children that keep me on my toes and active.

Auntie Becky invited me to write about our traditions and family life, and food! I’m so happy about this.

Due to having grown up in a big family compound I've always learned to cook a large amount of food for my Family and to be completely honest I enjoy cooking and seeing them enjoy the food that I prepared for them. I always feel happy when I am cooking for my loved ones.

This is our traditional food which we call Attieke but many people call it cassava couscous as it comes from cassava originally. Attieke originates from the African Coast but now it's known as a West African delicacy. It's not something that we eat all the time, just occasionally as a treat to ourselves.

As children, we always cherished eating this food because it is different and it's delicious. My mum never used to like to buy it ready-cooked, instead she cooks her own.

What's great about this food is that you can eat it with anything you like, either chicken, beef or fish, or on it's own simply with just the vegetables on top like cucumber, tomatoes and a bit of chopped onion.

I never took time to learn how to make Attieke back home, which I really regret but with a few explanations from family and through trial and tribulation, I finally got the hang of it!

Attieke is better when it's eaten with a group of family or friends sat eating from the same plate - that makes it more enjoyable!

Cassava is grown in hot Countries, therefore it's not suitable to be grown in colder countries. I buy my Attieke in any continental food shops. If you any African shops near you, they should have it and it normally costs around £2.99 for the pack. Attieke taste like Couscous but with a better texture. Attieke is made by steaming it until soft.

Ingredients

* 1 pack of Attieke

*Chicken/beef or fish

* 1 Cucumber

* 2 tomatoes

* half an onion