Red palm oil (dendê) ✦

Huile de palme rouge (dendê)

What it is

Unrefined palm oil is the richest natural source of carotene there is, several times a carrot's, which is what makes it orange enough to stain a pot. It crossed the Atlantic with the slave trade and Bahian cooking still runs on it as dendê, while the refined white version — same fruit, no colour, no smell — goes into soap and biscuits.

In the kitchen

One tablespoon colours and flavours a whole pot; more turns the dish waxy and cloying. It is semi-solid at room temperature, so warm it gently — it does not need a high flame to go liquid.

Goes with

Okra Shrimp Coconut milk Chili pepper Onion Black-eyed pea Egusi Cilantro / Coriander

Also used with

Ashanti pepper Plantain

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