Day 60! Gabon, Africa - Gabonese Mustard Chicken and Cucumber Salad - Up Next, Gambia, Africa

They're not from the continent of Africa, and I don't know if they have a liking for Gabonese food, but I LOVE these guys, and so, since food, music and art are inextricably linked in my soul and in my mind, I'm show-casing Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds in this blog entry. Hey, I've got a lot going on and, well, just bear with me.
Here's a link to one of my favorite songs,
Nature Boy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l05j8hNiCjk

And, if you're in the mood for a louder, somewhat, well, seedier song, check out his project, Grinderman- :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuDP7c3Zd8I

My Brother, Clay & Francine

My bother, Clay,  is a musician  (and just so happens to be getting married next weekend to a beautiful and talented woman). I firmly believe that when we support the arts,  we enrich our lives and put food on the tables of those who, for the most part, work for peanuts for our pleasure. See it's not such a stretch to include musicians in my foodie blog after all....seeds, peanuts...right?!

Gabon,  or the Republique Gabonaise, whose capital is Liberville, is one of the wealthiest countries in the continent of Africa.  Gabon gained its independence from France in 1960, and so it's cuisine is heavily influenced by French traditions. Gabon boasts many natural resources, oil being one of the most prominent, along with a relatively small population and a good deal of foreign investors.

Like many African countries, the staples include, cucumbers, manioc, peanuts and stews. Since Gabon is located on the coast of the continent, fish is the most popular source of protein but crocodile and bush meat are eaten as well. Berber, a spicy mix of chili peppers and onion infused clarified butter are used to season most dishes - both of which I had on hand from cooking in Ethiopia!

Here's what I made: Gabon Mustard Chicken and Cucumber Salad

Onions, garlic and lemons season and tenderize the chicken - I added Berber and clarified onion butter

Red onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, mint, parley and lemon juice - wonderful

Gabonese chicken, rice and cucumber salad make the meal

Don't mess with my tongs

Gabon Cucumber Salad

• I large onion, sliced paper thin
• 2 medium tomatoes
• 1 cucumber
• 1 bunch parsley, minced
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• Juice 1/2 lemon
• 1/2 tsp. minced mint
• 1 tbsp. ground cumin
• salt and black pepper to taste

Slice the onion paper thin, cut the tomato into thin slices. Peel th cucumber, slice in half and then cut tinto long thin slices (about the same length as the tomato). Mix together the onion, tomato, cucumber and parsley. Add the olive oil, lemon juice and cumin. Season with salt and pepper.

Gabon Mustard Chicken

• 8 chicken pieces
• 1/4 cup mustard (Dijon)
• 1 large onion finely chopped
• 3 large cloves garlic, minced
• Juice from 2 lemons

Brown the chicken in a little oil then transfer to a plate and fry the onions in teh same oil until transluscent. Transfer the onions to a large lidded pot. Add the chicken, mustard and lemon juice. Mix together then cover the pot and cook on low/medium heat till chicken is tender. Serve with rice.

Recipes from www.celnet.org.uk/recipes/

Final Assessment: Very good, simple and clean food. Easy to make - the cumin in the salad was lovely.