In The Spotlight: Yaji Spice’s Cookbooks 

A Flavorful Journey Through Yaji Spice Recipe Book 

• Explore bold recipes celebrating the rich culinary heritage of Africa. 

• Step-by-step guides for delicious meals perfect for any occasion. 

• Creative ways to use Yaji Spice blends in everyday dishes. 

Grab Your Yaji Spice Cookbook Today.

Are you looking to add some excitement to your cooking with bold herbs and spices? Or searching for the perfect gift for a food lover? Check out our set of cookbooks, Global Culinary Fusion and Global Culinary Fusion – Vegetarian and Plant-Based Dishes, each featuring over 70 new recipes to enjoy! 

These cookbooks blend international cuisine, combining Western dishes with African spices. For a preview of some of our creations, visit our recipes page.  

“So, with most people, when they hear about West African spices or African spices, they kind of look at them like, well, those are not for me. I can’t use them. They are for Africans,” cookbook writer Anne Toba says. “The idea of the books was to let people understand that West African spices are very versatile, they’re very robust. And especially with the blends, you can use them on your regular foods. What they do is give you a different layer of flavor that you didn’t know even existed. That is wonderful. And we just want to share that with you.”

There are two cookbooks: one is non-vegetarian and the other is vegetarian and plant based. They are each available in paperback or Kindle format and contain over 70 recipes from Yaji Spice. Each cookbook includes easy-to-make mains, sides, desserts and plant-based dishes.

“So, they are regular recipes and Echo researched online to find popular dishes. And what I did was I gave a recipe with Yaji Spice blends in them for people who want to try those recipes. So, the ones you’d find on our recipe page, many of them are the ones she researched, and people are very excited about them online, currently. So that’s where the idea of the books came from.”

The popular recipes come in many different forms.

“There are main dishes, there are desserts, there are starters, there are grills. Just what you’d find in a regular cookbook,” Anne says.

When asked about her favorite dish or recipe, Anne says, “I love grills. I absolutely love grills. If I was to pick anything at all, it would be grilling. It would be about using Suya spice on different types of food, whether you’re talking about your vegetables . . . just take a pack of your regular mixed vegetables, defrost it in the microwave, dust some Suya spice on it with garlic salt, try it, and see. It will blow you away. . . it will change the meal for you.”  

Advantages of Using Physical Cookbooks 

There are several advantages to using physical cookbooks instead of relying on online recipes. From a lack of distractions to a connection to history and culinary traditions, there are multiple reasons why a physical cookbook is better than an online recipe.

1. Contains No Ads – You may experience online notifications, pop-ups, or ads when you’re searching for the perfect recipe. These distractions are nonexistent when using a physical cookbook, allowing you to fully submerge yourself into the cooking experience.
2. Are Curated Collections – Cookbooks like Discover Yaji Spices often follow a theme or cuisine, resulting in a curated collection of recipes. In the case of our cookbook, the theme is Western meals with African spices. Our recipes tell a story together, something lacking in individual online recipes.
3. Features Beautiful Aesthetics – Cookbooks often feature beautiful photography of dishes, as well as aesthetically pleasing font choice and page layout. The visuals and the weight and texture of the page combine for a more emotionally rewarding experience.
4. Includes Option to Annotate – You can mark down adjustments on the pages of a book, tweaking ingredients or timing directions. This option isn’t available when you’re just scrolling online. Notes might include adjustments, suggestions, or memories of a specific dish. Make the book uniquely yours, in a way you can’t with an online recipe.
5. Lasts Longer – Online recipes may be lost when website updates are made, or links no longer work properly. In contrast, a sturdy cookbook can last for decades. It can even be passed down from generation to generation. The long-lasting nature of physical cookbooks is one very compelling reason to invest in one.
6. Has No Need for Internet Access – Physical cookbooks don’t require internet access, another compelling reason to use them. You’ll never have to worry about losing a signal in remote areas. You can also disconnect from the internet for personal reasons and still have recipes at your fingertips.
7. Encourages A Mindful Approach – Following recipes step by step requires close attention. It can encourage a mindful approach to cooking that contrasts with the hurry of cooking from an online recipe. Mindfulness is important because it’s been shown to increase well-being in mental and physical health. Cooking mindfully can help reduce stress, boost your mood, and promote mental clarity. 
8. Has Carefully Designed Format – Physical cookbooks often have a carefully designed format, with ingredients and instructions presented in a layout that’s easy to navigate. A structured format reduces the chance that you’ll miss an important ingredient or a step. In contrast, online recipes are formatted in a wide variety of ways, perhaps leading to missing steps.
9. Encourages Creativity in the Kitchen – When searching for recipes online, you often have a clear goal in mind. You know exactly what you’re looking for. Physical cookbooks, on the other hand, encourage exploration. It’s easy to browse by rifling through the pages, perhaps discovering a new, mouth-watering main or side dish. 
10. Supports Reduced Screen Time – If you’re looking to decrease your screen time, using a physical cookbook is one great way. It’s healthy to put your phone down for a little while and engage in real-world interactions like cooking. 
11. Adds to Your Bookshelf Joy – Having a physical cookbook on your bookshelf can be a source of pride and joy. It can find a home with other cookbooks, showing off your culinary interests.
12. Features Recipes for Special Occasions – Physical cookbooks often include recipes for special occasions. The consideration that goes into each recipe is truly special and may be lacking in online recipes. Whether you’re celebrating a holiday or someone’s birthday, a physical cookbook will have the recipe for you.
13. Contains Extra Content – Cookbooks often contain additional content, whether it focuses on different culinary techniques or the origins of ingredients. They may even reflect the chef’s philosophy. Additional content helps you grow in the kitchen, expanding your knowledge and allowing you to experiment with new techniques.
14. Supports Authors and Publishers – Support the authors, photographers, and publishers by purchasing a physical cookbook. They’ve poured their creativity, hard work, and passion into the project and deserve a little support. In turn, collaborators are more likely to bring new high-quality cookbooks to the market.
15. Supports Women in Africa – Discover Yaji Spices is dedicated to the women spice farmers of Africa who take care of the land and the next generation of African youth. 10% of all proceeds go to Ripples in Africa to invest back into their livelihoods and businesses. 
16. Invokes Nostalgia – Cookbooks are tangible things that can be passed down from generation to generation. They can be flipped through, the margins scribbled on, dog-eared and wrinkled, or otherwise lovingly used. The memories and nostalgia that come through using a physical cookbook are unmatched.

Overall, there is a long list of reasons why a physical cookbook might be the route to go. From supporting women farmers in Africa to invoking tradition and nostalgia, cookbooks bring culture, joy, and memories to the culinary world.  

About the Author 

Cookbook writer Anne Toba is also the founder of Ripples in Africa and Yaji Spice.   

Anne is an economic development leader, engaged in solving complex problems at the intersection of people and planet via market-based solutions. With over 25 years working across Africa, Europe and the US, she has a proven track record for innovative strategies that drive long term economic and social return.

She is currently the founder and CEO of Ripples in Africa, a 501(c)3 registered nonprofit and Yaji Spices, companies she founded to create new direct from farm supply chains between West Africa and the US market. To date she has created fair wage jobs for over 17,000 women, ensured over 68,000 children – even the girls – are in school, and reforested 100,000 acres of land.

Professionally trained in human resources and general management for the luxury hotel and culinary sectors, Anne is passionate about African food and agriculture.

About Yaji Spice  

Yaji spice products deliver inspired culinary experiences WHILE ACTIVELY honoring West Africa as the origin of flavors delivered via Black foodways. We do this by directly connecting our spice farmers with home and professional chefs in the African diaspora and culinary communities.

Yaji was created to expand the spice industry by building new, ethical direct from farm supply chains. We source 100% of our ingredients from Ripples in Africa, a co-op of over 11,000 women- run farms in Nigeria and Ghana.

By cutting out the middlemen, we ensure the farmers access a larger portion of the value chain. Yaji always pays farmers a living wage that is at or above fair trade to ensure they have economic and food security and can send all their kids to school.

Our Seasoning Blends  

Ataré blend is a versatile spice blend ideal for elevating meats, stews, soups, and vegetables with a sophisticated and multi-dimensional flavor profile. Perfect for chefs looking to infuse their culinary creations with a harmonious blend of warmth, smokiness, and nuanced sweetness.

Mama Put blend combines the exact right amount of warmth, sweetness, smokiness, and heat.

Use as a rub/mix into marinades or enhance sauces and broths. Explore its potential to transform your dishes into extraordinary culinary experiences.

Suya blend brings rich and nutty flavors to the table. Perfect for marinating and grilling meats, especially beef, chicken, and lamb. Suya Spice also enhances the flavors of vegetables, seafood, and tofu.

• Skewered Meats: Generously rub onto meats before grilling for an authentic Suya experience.  
• Marinades and Sauces: Incorporate marinades or sauces to infuse dishes with depth and richness.  
• Finishing Touch: Sprinkle as a finishing touch to add complexity and boldness.  

Our Individual Spices  

Iru, or fermented locust bean, has full bodied savory flavor that tastes similar to umami. With a complex flavor which hints at chocolate, cheese and miso, it is used in West African cuisine in many soups, sauces and stews. It can be added to both savory and sweet dishes.  

With its distinct aroma and flavor, warm and spicy African nutmeg is a must-have in your kitchen. An aromatic and fragrant herb, you can grind it up and use it in savory soups and stews or add it to sweet desserts and puddings for an extra punch of flavor. It is a common ingredient in many West African spice blends.  

Djangsang has a strong, nutty chocolate flavor.  Rich in proteins, oil, and potassium, these yellowish-brown seeds are often ground into a powder and used to add flavor to sauces, stews, soups and rice dishes. Ground and mixed with water, they are a natural thickener like okra or cornstarch.  

Country onions boast a rich flavor, with a unique blend of onion and garlic that will delight your taste buds. When dried and peeled, they are an ideal addition to a wide variety of dishes. Use them in soups, stews, pasta dishes and grilled foods as a fabulous substitute for traditional onion powder or garlic.  

A staple in West African cuisine, Egusi Melon seeds are known for their rich, nutty flavor and high protein content. They are dried and ground into a flour-like consistency that is perfect for thickening soups and stews. The melon seeds are also a nutritious snack.  

Discover Yaji Spice Cookbooks  

As mentioned above, there are vegetarian and non-vegetarian copies of the cookbooks available. Each does also come in paperback or Kindle format. Explore popular Western dishes with a twist: flavorful, delicious African spices.