Where there is no Microwave

As you are all now aware, life in Burkina Faso is very different from life in the United States. Simple things like going to the grocery store become daylong events where you haggle to get the proper price. In previous blogs I have discussed the normal Burkinabe diet and how it consists of many carbohydrates. As Peace Corps volunteers we are living alone in our rooms or apart of a family compound but we still need to know basic cooking skills. Many of my fellow volunteers are right out of college or have never cooked a solid meal for themselves on a regular basis. Therefore as part of our medical training we were each given 1,000 cfa ($2) and put into groups to make a 3-course meal.

Peace Corps provides a properly titled “cook book,” Where there is no Microwave (or Refrigerator) to all volunteers. This was just a fun 2-hour session to flex our culinary muscles out in a kitchen. Before some photos I want to go over what is available for an American chef here in Burkina Faso. A culinary survival guide so to speak.

There are no microwaves, refrigerators, or ovens (very rare). There are no can openers, measuring cups/spoons/graduated containers. All measuring is done via the eye unless you are smart and brought these things with you from the US. I love cooking so I brought all of the basic cooking supplies with me when I came from the States (can-opener, measuring utensils, garlic press, grater, juicer, cutting board, spatula, non-stick frying pan).

If I would be packing to come to Burkina Faso again I would forget clothes and toiletries and bring more food items, haha.

Things that you can find at the Alimentation (in regional cities):

Basil, Spices, Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Blue Band (unrefrigerated butter, eww, but it works), EXPENSIVE canned fish and meat (Spam like products and normally housed in oil), Canned Vegetables (So many canned things but then no can openers in Burkina Faso), Powdered Chocolate, Couscous, Flour (all kinds), Honey, Jelly, Tea, Mayonnaise, Mustard, Nescafe, Nido (Powdered Milk), Oatmeal, Oil (not good for you), Pasta, Rice, Salt, Sugar, Tomato paste, Vache Qui Rit (Laughing Cow Cheese, as mentioned before does not need refrigerated), Vinegar (no fun kinds like Balsamic Vinegar), Yeast.

That is all the things grocery stores in Burkina Faso have to offer. Therefore the selection of cuisine is highly limited to carbohydrates and sauces. Forget about storing leftovers because they will spoil with the heat. At the end I will list some more great care package ideas/things to bring when you come to Burkina Faso!

December 3, 2008: A traditional Dutch Oven

December 3, 2008: I am preparing to make stuffing not in a oven but on a range top.

December 3, 2008: It took Aaron over a half hour to pick out this piece of meat. Finding meat in village is quite interesting. You need to make friends with your butcher and your major. The major is (in theory) supposed to inspect all meat (from livestock) that gets killed and sold for consumption by the public. However, that is not always the case, so we need to be careful, because animals could be sold that are sick. When buying meat you tell the butcher how much you want worth in money. The piece Aaron bought was 800 cfa. He had 3 pieces of meat to choose from. For those with weak stomachs the butcher is not a place you want to go because there are a lot of dead animal carcasses and it is normally out in the open air with tons of insects/flies. Ohh so appetizing . . . I think ignorance is bliss.

December 3, 2008: Preparing our meal of spring rolls with soy sauce (can be found in Ouaga or Bobo), Beef stir fry with stuffing and cinnamon sugared apples from dessert.

December 3, 2008: Nikki, Aaron, Gwen, and Adelaide. Everyone is working hard at their individualized task. This is at my house right outside my room on my porch.

December 3, 2008: I am inspecting the Dutch oven. What is a Dutch Oven? It is a way to bake when you are at your site. You would use it like regular oven though have to regulate the amount of time you cook because there is no set temperature. Therefore, if you have a sweet tooth you can bake certain cakes, cookies, and breads at site.

December 3, 2008: A Dutch oven consists of a marmite (silver container), 2-3 inches of sand, 3 small empty tomato paste cans. Put the whole contraption on your gas range and voila. It can be used to bake breads, cookies, cakes, pies, pizza, or whatever your stomach desires. Also makes great toast!

Dec 3, 2008 All the yumminess happening on the stove!!!

December 3, 2008: Aaron and I share the range to create our meal.

December 3, 2008: Adelaide puts the finishing touches on our spring rolls. We first boiled cabbage leaves to make them soft and used them for the outer shell and then stuffed the insides with thins slices of carrots, onions, green peppers, and cucumbers. Sprinkled with soy sauce and you would believe you were at an Asian restaurant. Sadly all of these vegetables are not available year round.

Dec. 3, 2008 The Apples all done after about 30 min in the Dutch Oven. . .

December 3, 2008: I gave a platter of food to my host dad Aly and he was highly impressed by the meal!!

December 3, 2008: Normally men do not help at all in the kitchen. Aaron is going against Burkinabe cultural norms by helping me clean up the dishes.

Products from the United States that are highly utilized in the kitchens of Peace Corps Volunteers. PCVs do eat better on weeks that they receive care packages!!!

- Mac and cheese powder (get macaroni here)

- Condiment packets (ketchup, McDonald's BBQ, Sweet n Sour, Honey Mustard, etc.)

- Tuna, Salmon, Chicken packets

- Beef Jerky, Slim Jims

- Cheese (Velveeta, parmesan)

- Power bars/granola bars

- Candy

- Dried fruits (craisins, raisins, apricots, blueberries, currents)

- Oreos

- Cake, cookie, and brownie instant mixes (icings, ohhh cream cheese frosting)

- Nacho Cheese

- Kool-Aid, Crystal Light, Drink Mixes

- Maple syrup

- Gravy, dressing, sauces, soup packets (taco seasoning, ranch dressing, etc.).

When you send packages make sure to tape the box up good so Burkinabe post does not open the package up. Also be nondescript on the customs form as to what is in the box. If anything put that it is stationary, haha.