World Food Thursdays

Country No. 38: Senegal

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March 2018

Little Baobab, Clapton

Attendees: Ben, PK, Ellen, Eoghan, Calum, Lee, Kim, Becky

£30 a head + drinks

 

Firstly some apologies…

 

1) Poppy and Maor would like to apologise on behalf of the newest addition to their family. He had the temerity to turn up just before the latest food jamboree and, after what I imagine was much debate, Poppy and Maor decided to skip this one

2) Ben would like to apologise for the late publication of this episode in the new adventures of the gastrogang

3) The entire gang (minus Lee) would like to apologise to Lee for a timing and communication snafu which would be long forgotten (and forgiven?) if I wasn’t dredging it up again on the internet for our sole follower (Lee) to read

 

Now we have the contrition out the way how was the food? Who can remember?

 

Fortunately Ellen has kept the menu as a souvenir, one of Bellenie’s many gestational memories, and also an opportunity for the soon to be parents to reflect on life when they used to do stuff. The menu reads as follows:

 

To start: mixed Senegalese delicacies to share

 

                *****

Mains: Thiebou Dienne ¦ Chicken Yassa ¦ Lamb Mafe ¦ Thiere Bassi

 

                *****

 

Dessert: Jaffa cake

 

The evening started at Casa Calum/Eoghan with early excitement fuelled by Aperol Spritz and some excellent charcuterie and cheeses sourced from a local Spanish deli. Thanks to the guys for being the second to host a gathering at their place. Thanks also to the guys for rescuing PK’s elbow’s from Jimmy’s amorous advances!*

 

Little Baobab was once a permanent restaurant, presumably before the pop-up craze took over this particular corner of East London, and clearly it is sorely missed. The large room was packed out with people of all ages and nationalities and the chefs and waitresses were clearly in for a busy night. A space was cleared in the middle of the room and a mini stage was assembled in order to give the entertainment for the evening a space to perform.

 

The shared delicacies were a mix of breaded and fried delights, similar to pakoras, samosas and falafel. They tended towards the stodgy but were lifted by a vibrant tomato, pepper and chilli dip.

 

While waiting for the main courses to arrive we availed ourselves of some devilishly strong cocktails, one of which was so fiery with ginger to render it almost undrinkable. Almost. The interval between starters and mains also presented the first opportunity of the night to hear some Senegalese music, as a gentleman of advanced years took to the stage with his guitar and played and sang songs from his homeland.

 

After a short break the mains were served. In true World Food tradition plates were circulated round the table until each of the gastrogang settled on a favourite. Fortunately there was enough variety in the dishes to suit all tastes and to ensure that when the waitress returned to collect the plates there wouldn’t be any leftovers. The highlight was definitely the lamb, a lamb and peanut butter stew served with rice and salad, something that could easily be replicated at home.

 

Following the main courses, while we worked our way through an interesting interpretation of the jaffa cake, a band took to the stage and worked their way through a repertoire of upbeat tunes. Some of the younger attendees chose this moment to get up and have a little dance, which provided no shortage of laughs.

 

Senegalese Facts:

None remembered :o(

 

*Jimmy is a very small dog