The culinary experience is a new addition to my travel itinerary. It's the perfect way to find out more about a country's culture. And eat delicious local dishes.
Unlike my Peruvian experience, Aida's was more authentic. She welcomes you into the heart of her home. Her kitchen.
Aida is a bit of a local celebrity. She's won awards for her enterprise, goes all over the world promoting Gambia as a holiday hotspot. And she's even been on CNN.
The day starts with Aida dressing you in traditional African dress and headscarf. I have to say, as someone who lives in black clothes, wearing this multicolored ensemble was a total step change. But having worn it all day, I get why this style of loose dress is preferred. It's very airy and comfortable, especially in this humidity. It's like not wearing anything.
I was part of a group made up of four ladies from Stuttgart and their Gambian translator. One spoke exceptional English and one broken English, but this didn't stop them getting to know me, Aida and the local children who just appeared.
One owns a wellness centre and she collected stuff from her customers to donate to a local school. Despite not speaking a word of English, her warmth and enthusiasm for Africa was infectious.
Once we were all ready, we collected our baskets and off we went for trip to Tanji fish market to buy green oranges (can we still call them oranges if they're green?), green tomatoes, ocra, spring onions, bananas, rice, white onions, mackerel, potatoes and mangos.
The market stalls are mainly manned by women, who grow everything they sell.
Aida is very hot on helping women, having set up her own micro-financing business to give women a helping hand in starting their own businesses, ranging from agriculture, crafts and beauticians.
This commitment to helping women can be seen in her kitchen. She has several young women helping her run her business. And it was them who did the lion's share of the cooking.
It was here Aida announced we would be making domoda (peanut stew) with a chill sauce on the side.
From a coal stove in the courtyard, Aida threw in her homemade peanut butter into a steel pot full of boiling water, followed by the veg. After they softened, tomato puree and lime was added.
She showed us - via her helpers - how to wash a cook Gambian rice.
If I'm honest, I was hoping to cook my own and it wasn't really a cooking school, as such. We sat watching the women coming and going, occasionally they would interrupt the chatter to tell us what they were putting in the pot. But mostly, it was down to my own curiosity that I saw what was going on.
It later became apparent why we didn't cook our individual meals, it's because we went to the outdoor dining room to eat Acrican style. All out of one big serving bowl.
It's a fantastic way of eating, so sociable and no chance of food envy.
I loved getting a little insight into a genuine Gambian home. I loved eating the domoda and will definitely make it home. Meeting Aida was inspirational, as she does so much to help women. And I guess I did learn how to make it, despite not touching a pot or veg.
First published on 16/09/2019 19:52
