The Congolese

Africans from the Democratic Republic of Congo and surrounding nations living in the Western suburbs of Sydney have formed a wonderful supportive community.  The families like nothing better than to gather at each other’s homes to discuss life in their new country and of course - to eat.

Sean Connelly is invited to meet Mbuyi Tshielantende who has turned a plot of land nearby into a field of African leaf vegetables that the women love to cook with. The Congolese like to retain the taste and flavour of the main ingredients when cooking and consequently do not use a lot of herbs and spices but sometimes they just can’t resist adding new ingredients, like the basil that Justine discovered in Australia and now adds to her goat stew. 

Palm oil is added to many central African dishes.  It is derived from the pulp of the fruit of the African palm tree, has a very high percentage of saturated fat and contains a high amount of beta-carotene giving it a reddish-orange colour.

The feast is held at Isaac and Justine’s home just a short ride from Mbuyi’s field.  All their friends have heart-wrenching stories of hardship and separation as refugees fleeing their war torn countries for a safer life.

Supplier Contact Details

Mbuyi Tshielantende (African Food Project)
e: mbuyi_tshielantende@yahoo.fr

Mrs Kemi-Okan
Afrique Hair and Beauty Salon
111A Rawson St
Auburn NSW 2144
m: 02 9643 5559

Goat meat can be ordered from Havericks on 02 93168900

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