World Book Day: Recipes Inspired by Books

 

By Olumide Labulo 

Some stories stay with us long after the final page not just because of their characters or plot twists, but because of the worlds they invite us into, rich with flavor, scent, and soul. This collection of recipes is a love letter to those unforgettable moments in literature where food becomes a character of its own.

From magical feasts in fantasy realms to quiet meals that hold generations of memory, each dish here draws inspiration from a beloved book. Whether it's a Hogwarts-style butterbeer, a spicy suya roast worthy of a Lagos rooftop, or tea cakes for a proper Jane Austen afternoon, you're invited to read with your fork and eat with your imagination, savouring the taste of stories that have shaped voices, homes, and histories across the African continent. 

Each dish you’ll enjoy is more than a recipe—it’s a reflection of a novel, a memory that resounds the tender resilience of characters like Adunni in "The Girl with the Louding Voice" by Abi Dare and the haunting beauty of "Homegoing" by Yaa Gyasi. Our menu pays tribute to the flavors, emotions, and experiences found within the pages of modern African literature. So set the table, open your favorite book, and let’s cook up some literary magic. Oya, jeun soke!

1. Yam Porridge

It's a classic dish in Yoruba and Igbo cultures. It is a rich one-pot meal of yam, red palm oil, pepper, and greens that reflect the deep cultural roots of Chinua Achebe's "Things Fall Apart" setting.

2. Jollof Rice 

In case you don't know, Nigeria and Ghana once had a long-drawn "battle" on which country's version is better. Jollof rice is a West African staple packed with tomatoes, spices, and love—perfect for a tribute to the warmth and resilience of Chimamanda's "Half of a Yellow Sun" story.

3. Senegalese Thieboudienne

Inspired by Mariama Bâ’s poignant tale, "So Long a Letter", this dish is the national pride of Senegal—rice, fish, and vegetables steeped in rich, spiced tomato sauce. It's one funny meal I wish to have some day.

moi moi

4. Spiced Plantain Chips with Avocado Dip 

When it comes to food, Nigerians dey explore. Yesterday, someone offered me avocado (pear) and bread and I was like, "For real?" Toni Adeyemi did the same in her mythical-fantasy book, "Children of Blood and Bone" where she explores a magical, bold snack to match the energy of the book. Now, think crunchy, peppery plantain chips paired with a creamy dip. In reality, the taste may be heavenly or hellish depending on you though.

5. Ofada Rice and Ayamase Sauce

This recipe has its root in Yoruba culture. Hence, a complex, emotional story like Ayobami Adebayo's "Stay With Me" needs a dish with depth and this spicy green pepper sauce with native rice fits beautifully.

6. Ghanaian Kelewele 

Kelewele is a type of food that is common in many African cultures like jollof rice. It is spicy fried plantains. In the West in Nigeria, it is called dodo Ikire. So Gerald McDermott used it in "Anansi the Spider" as a playful, spicy treat that nods to Anansi’s West African roots. If you want to try it, you can serve with peanuts for extra crunch!

chips & stew

7. Street Food

In Adichie's "Americanah" where she explores identity, love, and migration, street food like puff puff and zobo add to the imagery of nostalgia, and global twist that depict Ifemelu’s journey between continents. Also in Abi Dare's "The Girl with the Louding Voice", moi moi with eggs connotes nourishment and growth, mirroring her hunger for education and voice.

8. Suya-Spiced Roast Chicken with Honey Drizzle

"Butter Honey Pig Bread" by Francesca Ekwuyasi is layered with emotion and memory. A fusion dish like honey-glazed suya chicken brings warmth, fire, and sweetness—perfect for Sunday gatherings and healing hearts.

9. Plantain and Groundnut Stew 

In Akwaeke's "The Death of Vivek Oji", she tells a tender, mysterious tale set in southeastern Nigeria that combines soft plantains with rich, nutty sauce—comforting, nostalgic, and full of emotional depth.

10. Sadza with Tomato Relish

In "We Need New Names" by NoViolet Bulawayo, we see how this Zimbabwean staple mirrors the stark realism of Darling’s childhood. Sadza (a cornmeal dish) is paired with spicy tomato onion relish—simple but deeply connected to home.

egusi & fufu

11. Ofe Nsala (White Soup) with Catfish and Yam 

Ofe Nsala is a bold dish from southeastern Nigeria—luxurious and strong, like the novel’s ("Tomorrow I Become a Woman" by Aiwanose Odafen) feminist themes. Yam thickens the broth, while fresh fish symbolizes resilience.

As the final flavors linger and the last words sink, we thank you for joining this celebration of story and soul. Today, we did more than dine—we traveled. We tasted the complexities of home, the sweetness of memory, and the fire of bold voices rising. All of these remind us that stories feed us just as much as food—nourishing our spirits, deepening our empathy, and connecting us across oceans and generations. Until next time, read well, eat boldly, and keep the stories alive.

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