The Power of Food: The Connecting Power of Surinamese Culinary Heritage

Nederlandse versie/ Dutch version scroll below

This episode of "Cooking Back to Our Roots" focuses on Surinamese culture, with guests Hilary Richters and Sergio Panday sharing their personal stories and insights.

Hilary stresses the importance of perseverance and sharing knowledge, while Sergio emphasizes the power of collective action. Both advocate inclusiveness and community connection. The importance of cultural diversity in dishes is discussed in depth, with guests sharing personal memories of their favorite Surinamese dishes and their emotional significance.

The episode emphasizes the importance of embracing difficult periods, sharing knowledge and experiences, and striving for a more inclusive society. Vivian Acquah (host) leads the conversation in an inspiring way, emphasizing the importance of connection, interest in others, and reflection.

Artwork: Zwart Goud (Black Gold) by Djon Seedorf

Surinamese Brown Beans with Rice

Surinamese Brown Beans with Rice, or "Bruine Bonen met Rijst," is indeed a beloved dish in Surinam. The recipe can vary, but it typically includes ingredients such as chicken, butter, or margarine, diced onion, diced tomatoes, and bell pepper. Other versions use salt-cured meat and flavor the beans with bay leaves.

This dish, like many legume-based meals, often tastes even better the day after it's cooked, as the soup has had time to thicken overnight. It's a hearty, comforting meal that showcases the unique flavors of Surinamese cuisine.

If you're interested in trying to make this dish at home, there are several recipes available online. For instance, This Girl Can Cook offers a range of traditional Surinamese recipes ^{(Use Google Translate to translate the recipe from Dutch to English)}.

There's also a video tutorial on how to prepare Surinamese Brown Beans with Mixed Meat and Rice on YouTube^.

Overall, Surinamese cuisine, as showcased in the Surinam edition of Cooking Back to Our Roots, is rich and diverse, with the popular Brown Beans with Rice taking center stage.

Ghanaian Waayke

The Ghanaian Waakye and Surinamese Brown Beans with Rice are beloved national dishes that hold a special place in their respective cultures. Waakye, a traditional Ghanaian dish of rice and black-eyed peas or kidney beans, is often found within the top 10 meals enjoyed by Ghanaians. It's commonly served with an array of accompaniments like stew, spaghetti, and fried plantains, creating a fulfilling and flavorful meal.

Similarly, the Surinamese Brown Beans with Rice, consisting of rice, brown beans, chicken, and vegetables, is a comfort food for many in Surinam. Despite the differences in additional ingredients and preparation methods, the core pairing of rice and legumes in both dishes highlights a shared culinary tradition. This commonality underscores how staple foods can transcend geographic boundaries, resulting in different yet similar dishes loved by people from diverse backgrounds.

Nederlands

In deze aflevering van "Cooking Back to Our Roots" staat de Surinaamse cultuur centraal, met gasten Hilary Richters en Sergio Panday die hun persoonlijke verhalen en inzichten delen.

Hilary benadrukt het belang van volharding en delen van kennis, terwijl Sergio de kracht van collectief handelen benadrukt. Beiden pleiten voor inclusiviteit en community verbinding.

Er wordt diepgaand gesproken over het belang van culturele diversiteit in gerechten, waarbij de gasten persoonlijke herinneringen delen aan hun favoriete Surinaamse gerechten en de emotionele betekenis daarvan.

De aflevering benadrukt het belang van het omarmen van moeilijke periodes, het delen van kennis en ervaringen, en het streven naar een inclusievere samenleving. Vivian Acquah (host) leidt het gesprek op inspirerende wijze en onderstreept het belang van verbinding, interesse in anderen en reflectie.

Artwork: Zwart Goud door Djon Seedorf