Sharing Attieke by Fatim

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.

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

Here is the process how I season my chicken to be grilled!

First of all I like to clean my chicken with some vinegar to take away the slime from the chicken, then I rinse the chicken by making sure there is no water on the chicken, if there is a bit of water on the chicken don't worry just get some kitchen paper and dap it on the chicken until dry.

Then to start seasoning my chicken I use 3 tbsp. of dijon mustard, 2 Maggie cubes, 3 garlic, pinch of salt and a bit of paprika, but if you don't have paprika it's also fine. Mix it all together, then pour it over the chicken until the whole chicken is covered with this marinade.

I will also advise to add salt to your liking! After marinating the chicken, add 1 tbsp. of vegetable oil on top of the chicken, to prevent it from sticking to the tray, then put it in the oven to be grilled. But before putting it in the oven, makes sure you preheat the oven to 180.

Grilling time is 30 to 40 minutes in the oven, keep checking and turning over the chicken until cooked, make sure you don't leave it in the oven for too long until dry. The chicken needs to be golden and juicy.

Once cooked, take it out the oven to cool down for 5 minutes then it's will be ready to serve!

Recipe

* 1 whole chicken 🐔

* 2 Maggie cubes

* 3 tbsp. of dijon mustard

* 3 clove of garlic

* 3 tbsp. of paprika

* pinch of salt 🧂

* 1 tbsp. of vegetable oil

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!

Here is my husband and two of our children (waiting patiently!) sharing this lovely traditional dish.