Want next-level salads? This secret ingredient is the key!
What's the story
Dawa-dawa, a fermented locust bean, is a secret weapon in West African cuisine, adding a rich umami flavor to dishes.
This high-protein ingredient not only packs a nutritional punch but also elevates the taste of any recipe.
Adding dawa-dawa to your salads can turn a boring side dish into the star of your meal.
Discover five creative ways to use dawa-dawa to make your salads irresistible.
Dressing
Elevate your greens with dawa-dawa dressing
A quick and easy way to enjoy the savory goodness of dawa-dawa is by adding it to salad dressings.
Simply blend dawa-dawa with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and a touch of honey for a flavorful dressing that brings new life to any green salad.
The umami kick complements the freshness of crisp lettuce, arugula, or spinach, taking your salad game to the next level.
Croutons
Add crunch with dawa-dawa croutons
If you like a little extra crunch in your salads, homemade croutons with a twist of dawa-dawa are a game-changer.
Just cube your favorite bread, toss it in melted butter with crushed dawa-dawa mixed in, and bake until golden brown.
You'll love the nutty flavor and added texture they bring to both light, leafy salads and heartier ones.
Bean salad
Create a flavorful bean salad
Bean salads are healthy, satisfying, and adaptable - they can be sides or stars of the show!
For a unique African spin, mix cooked black-eyed peas or kidney beans with diced tomatoes, onions, and bell peppers.
A dressing of olive oil, vinegar, garlic, and mashed dawa-dawa provides a rich, earthy flavor that perfectly complements the beans. Yummy!
Fruit salad
Spice up fruit salads
Though you might not typically think of dawa-dawa when it comes to fruit salads, its savory flavor can actually pair nicely with sweet fruits like mangoes or pineapples.
Simply blend together lime juice, honey (or maple syrup), mint leaves, and some finely ground dawa-dawa to create a dressing. Drizzle this over your fruit salad for a unique and tasty flavor combination.
Quinoa salad
Incorporate into quinoa salads
Quinoa salads, delicious and perfect warm or cold, are getting an African flavor upgrade with dawa-dawa!
Boiling quinoa with crushed dawa-dawa adds a unique taste. Combine cooled quinoa with refreshing cucumbers, tomatoes, and creamy avocados.
A dressing of lemon juice, olive oil, and ground dawa-dawa brings it all together for a nutritious meal that doesn't skimp on flavor.