AfriCali: Recipes from My Jikoni

by Kiano Moju

African cuisine is infused with Californian culture to create delicious, unique meals in this beautiful fusion cookbook.

Kiano Moju was born to a Kenyan mother and a Nigerian father and raised in California. While she spent her summer breaks in Kenya, her home in the states during the school year held African house parties where Nigerian jollof rice, moin moin (steamed bean cakes), roasted chicken legs, and plantains were a common part of life. On weekends and special occasions, they would make Kenyan dishes like samosas, sauteed collard greens, barbecued meat, and other favorites from her childhood including Ethiopian and Eritrean recipes. As Kiano says, “Californian cuisine embraces the flavors of its immigrant communities while celebrating the state’s agriculture and the flavors of fresh produce,” and that’s the concept behind her cooking.

AfriCali is not a traditional cookbook, but rather one inspired by the delicious meals Kiano has experienced in life. The recipes are unfussy but dedicated to flavor
-Peri Peri Butter
-Herby Harissa
-Lentil Nuggets
-Cherry Tomato Kachumbari
-Kijani Seafood Pilau
-Chicken and Okra Wet Fry
-Berbere Braised Short Ribs
-Coconut and Cardamom Mandazi
-Garlic Butter Chapos
-Pili Pili Pineapple Margarita

The gorgeous food photography as well as photos from the author’s travels in Africa make this a cookbook like no other. Dive in and enjoy the delicious, unique meals that the whole family will love.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Food, Nonfiction, Africa

272 pages, Hardcover

Published August 13, 2024

Reviews

[Ella Gonzales · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cookbook is a brilliant!!!

Each recipe is meticulously crafted, bringing together the bold, aromatic flavors of both culinary traditions. The clear instructions and accessible ingredients make it easy to recreate these dishes at home, whether you're a seasoned cook or a novice in the kitchen.

What stands out is how seamlessly these dishes have integrated into my everyday cooking. From hearty stews to tantalizing snacks, this cookbook has become an invaluable resource, allowing me to explore new flavors while adding exciting variety to my regular meals. It’s more than just a cookbook; it’s a gateway to a vibrant culinary adventure that enhances both my cooking skills and dining experience.

Highly recommended for anyone looking to enrich their kitchen with the best of Kenyan and Nigerian flavors!

[Ariella Gonzales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kiano Moju’s cookbook AfriCali is a revelation for anyone new to African (Kenyan and Nigerian) cuisine. As someone who had never explored these ethnic dishes before, I was truly impressed by how delicious and approachable the recipes are.

Moju’s blend of vibrant flavors and straightforward instructions makes each dish both exciting and manageable. The recipes are not only a delightful culinary adventure but also practical enough to incorporate into everyday cooking. This book is a standout in my kitchen, and I’d rate it 10/10—absolutely amazing and a must-have for anyone looking to expand their culinary horizons!

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best cookbook I’ve read in a while. Just phenomenal. I get all my cookbooks from the library bc often I will only realistically try a recipe or two out of them. I will be purchasing AfriCali so I can have it on hand and cook through it

[Behr Doherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

My sister got me this book, and I love it! I really liked the lentil nugget and the Nigerian inspired and improved jollof rice as well as some INCREDIBLE desert selections that had my guests begging for more!! The combination of flavors varied from sweet to spice delight! It was everything I wanted and didn’t know I needed!

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite cookbook of 2024 (for cooking—Bodega Bakes sits next to it on my favorites shelf for baking), and this year I felt like I bought so many. But I reach for this one for flavor, for ease, for accessibility, for comfort. It’s always everything I want to eat and exactly how I want to cook.

Special note to *anyone* who sees an unfamiliar word and thinks “I’m not going to be able to find the stuff to make that”—yes you can! It’s not hard to find and it tastes like heaven! A LOT of people know Penzeys for spices, and I do love Penzeys, but I think their berbere blend is a bit too spicy and therefore unbalanced (even though I like my spicy food). But Kalustyan’s berbere blend is PERFECT, and I’ve been buying it for years. They are available online at foodsofnations.com along with just about everything else you’re ever looking for for a recipe in a cookbook. But almost everything in this book is at your local store.

[Jo Roland · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for my cookbooks and bites class at the library.
Most of us had success with the recipes we made, though many of us left the stronger peppery spices out.
There wasn't as much story in this more traditional cookbook as some others I have read. I would have liked to see more of that. Also, though there were many color photos, some of the recipes could have used a pic of what the final result should look like.

Over all, it was a decent example of the cuisine she set out to offer.

[Rosalie Lochner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE cooking from this cook book. Moju relies on a mixture of local ingredients and flavors her immigrant parent raised her with in order to make family friendly style recipes. That said, here family friendly means quite spicy and there is a lot of frying things in oil. That’s fine with me, but you will have to do your own experimenting with how to adjust the heat to be appropriate for your family. I've got full review on my recipe blog.

Recipes I've cooked:
1) Swahili Chicken Biriyani. YUM! The flavor depth was fantastic for how few ingredients were in it.
2) Chai Cookies: I had some quibbles with the amount of work and texture of the Chai cookies, but my eldest son and husband liked them enough to ask me to make them again.
3) “Koko’s Pancakes” were absolutely perfect! and my family has decided these are their favorite pancakes ever.
4) Moju’s “Berburger Oasta.” I ADORE THIS! A take on from scratch “hamburger helper” seasoned with Berbere seasoning. Although it's a bit heavy, this recipe both fulfills a deep childhood craving and gives my palate the zing that I love

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

76:2025
I'm excited to try recipes from this one. I'm not very practiced in African cuisine, but Moju makes this SUPER approachable and I'm very much looking forward to diving in to several different dishes. I don't yet if it'll be purchased for the home library, but it's definitely a possiblity.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun cookbook with some spicy recipes. Not all recipes are spicy. This might not be a good family cookbook for those who don’t like heat (spicy peppers). The play on scotch eggs is a recipe I want to try.

[Malaika · Rating 5 out of 5]

The photos the recipes… can’t wait to start cooking from it. Very much appreciate the weighted measurements for the sweet section of the book

[Pinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Want to try the Cauliflower Bhajias, the Mukimo Croquettes, and the Dirty Chai Tiramisu recipes.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is packed with delicious healthy veggie dishes, and has one of the best desert sections of any cookbook I've owned. It made me excited to cook again.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved every single recipe in this cookbook. They are easy to follow, include easy-to-find ingredients here in the USA, and I love the layout of the book. I have recommended it to many people.

[Nanu · Rating 5 out of 5]

AfriCali expertly weaves stories of cultural heritage with recipes that highlight bold flavors, accessible ingredients ….and modern techniques.

What sets AdriCali apart is its ability to make African cuisine relatable, inspiring readers to explore new ingredients and flavors profiles without intimidation. The stunning photography, easy-to-follow instructions , and heartfelt storytelling. It’s an invitation to explore and savor the beauty of Africa through food.