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Hibiscus
‘I’m genuinely inspired.’ – Yotam Ottolenghi
‘For all its richness and mindboggling variety, African food has yet to cross over in the UK. With her freewheeling, boldly flavourful take on Nigerian cuisine, Lopè Ariyo could be the person to make it happen.’ – Observer
Lopè Ariyo is the rising star of African cooking and Hibiscus, her first book, is packed with delicious dishes. An energetic and supremely talented cook, Lopè creates fresh, fuss-free meals that are full of flavour. With chapters including Fruits, Vegetables Tubers; Grains Pulses; Meat Poultry and Baking Desserts, there’s something for every occasion and for everyone.
Nigerian-inspired flavours and cooking methods can transform everyday dishes into something spectacular. Whether it’s experimenting with new ingredients (Hibiscus Chicken), reimagining old favourites (Grapefruit and Guava Cheesecake; Baked Kuli Kuli Cod with Cayenne Yam Chips; Lagos Mess), exploring different techniques (Cheat’s Ogi, Chin Chin) or finding alternatives to everyday staples (Plantain Mash with Ginger, Corn and Okra Gravy; Nigerian Roast Veg), Lopè will help you discover all that modern Nigerian food has to offer.
‘For all its richness and mindboggling variety, African food has yet to cross over in the UK. With her freewheeling, boldly flavourful take on Nigerian cuisine, Lopè Ariyo could be the person to make it happen.’ – Observer
Lopè Ariyo is the rising star of African cooking and Hibiscus, her first book, is packed with delicious dishes. An energetic and supremely talented cook, Lopè creates fresh, fuss-free meals that are full of flavour. With chapters including Fruits, Vegetables Tubers; Grains Pulses; Meat Poultry and Baking Desserts, there’s something for every occasion and for everyone.
Nigerian-inspired flavours and cooking methods can transform everyday dishes into something spectacular. Whether it’s experimenting with new ingredients (Hibiscus Chicken), reimagining old favourites (Grapefruit and Guava Cheesecake; Baked Kuli Kuli Cod with Cayenne Yam Chips; Lagos Mess), exploring different techniques (Cheat’s Ogi, Chin Chin) or finding alternatives to everyday staples (Plantain Mash with Ginger, Corn and Okra Gravy; Nigerian Roast Veg), Lopè will help you discover all that modern Nigerian food has to offer.
192 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2017
4 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 18, 2018
This book is beautiful. I’ve been looking for a good Nigerian cookbook for ages to embrace my husband/in-law’s cuisine, which is delicious. My mother-in-law’s jollof rice IS the best, of course, but I’d like to be able to make it. She’s taught me some cooking tips, but I wanted a good book too.
I was introduced to hibiscus (the flavour) on our honeymoon in Egypt, and this book through the coconut and hibiscus cake recipe, which was printed in a magazine.
Ms Ariyo offers a rich personal history of the food she cooks, easy instructions and a background on the different foods. There are alternatives to difficult to find ingredients, and whilst the ingredient lists are long, they are often simple things and store cupboard items. The pictures are attractive and colourful and the book is a pleasure to just read. Best Nigerian cookbook I’ve found. Comprehensive and includes everything I wanted except ewa, but mummy’s version is great and I have a black eye beans recipe book.
I recommend this book highly. It’s traditional with an original modern twist.
I was introduced to hibiscus (the flavour) on our honeymoon in Egypt, and this book through the coconut and hibiscus cake recipe, which was printed in a magazine.
Ms Ariyo offers a rich personal history of the food she cooks, easy instructions and a background on the different foods. There are alternatives to difficult to find ingredients, and whilst the ingredient lists are long, they are often simple things and store cupboard items. The pictures are attractive and colourful and the book is a pleasure to just read. Best Nigerian cookbook I’ve found. Comprehensive and includes everything I wanted except ewa, but mummy’s version is great and I have a black eye beans recipe book.
I recommend this book highly. It’s traditional with an original modern twist.
January 17, 2021
I read this as part of the Reading Women challenge - “a cookbook by a person of colour”. Lopè Ariyo’s book is Nigerian inspired but a bit more UK supermarket friendly. Very readable abs enjoyable, and as soon as I started reading it I craved plantain!
January 22, 2024
Wild is one word to use for this book. Most of the recipes are easy and fun, especially the peanut and garri calamari rings. The Amala Chocolate Muffins was just a no-no for me, mostly because I don't like chocolate. But in total, it's a good cookbook.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2023
IF you love cooking and exotic food, Hibiscus is the recipe book for you!
While I am no Gordon Ramsey, I found the collection of Nigerian inspired recipes easy, yet exciting.
In addition to some truly unique recipes, such as the Moin Moin pudding, the book also features some dinner-time staples such as fried chicken, pork chops and lamb curry, with an African twist.
There are even some incredibly mouth-watering desserts as well as a special vegetarian section.
But, before one is transported into a world of delicious African cuisine, the author, Lopè Ariyo spends a few minutes introducing the reader to some of the exotic ingredients and spices featured in the book – which saved me from several Google searches.
One of my favourite things about the book is that the author gives a quick background as well as a description of her own experiences with each of the recipes.
It might seem frivolous and unnecessary but I feel it adds some character and warmth to the book.
This is beautifully complemented by the stunning photos.
The only real complaint I have is that some of those ingredients were near impossible to find. But once you find your connection, it’s worth the extra effort.
While I am no Gordon Ramsey, I found the collection of Nigerian inspired recipes easy, yet exciting.
In addition to some truly unique recipes, such as the Moin Moin pudding, the book also features some dinner-time staples such as fried chicken, pork chops and lamb curry, with an African twist.
There are even some incredibly mouth-watering desserts as well as a special vegetarian section.
But, before one is transported into a world of delicious African cuisine, the author, Lopè Ariyo spends a few minutes introducing the reader to some of the exotic ingredients and spices featured in the book – which saved me from several Google searches.
One of my favourite things about the book is that the author gives a quick background as well as a description of her own experiences with each of the recipes.
It might seem frivolous and unnecessary but I feel it adds some character and warmth to the book.
This is beautifully complemented by the stunning photos.
The only real complaint I have is that some of those ingredients were near impossible to find. But once you find your connection, it’s worth the extra effort.
July 24, 2019
This book is stunning! It has beautiful pictures and graphics, perfect for display on a coffee table or kitchen shelf.
I like that the cookbook captures the diversity of Nigerian cuisine by featuring recipes from different tribes, though there is a clear British influence. There were cute little anecdotes before the start of some recipes, and I really enjoyed those.
I didn't like the salad recipes, I found them a bit weird, and some of the ingredients used might be inaccessible for people outside the UK. I'd definitely recommend this for beginners looking to explore Nigerian cuisine. For a full review, and details on some of the recipes I tried, check out my blog post:
http://thelitafrican.com/2019/07/20/r...
I like that the cookbook captures the diversity of Nigerian cuisine by featuring recipes from different tribes, though there is a clear British influence. There were cute little anecdotes before the start of some recipes, and I really enjoyed those.
I didn't like the salad recipes, I found them a bit weird, and some of the ingredients used might be inaccessible for people outside the UK. I'd definitely recommend this for beginners looking to explore Nigerian cuisine. For a full review, and details on some of the recipes I tried, check out my blog post:
http://thelitafrican.com/2019/07/20/r...
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews