Chef's Corner: On the Wild Side

ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Broadcast News) -- Africa is a country known for its untamed beauty, festive culture and colorful food. Recipes follow report!

"I always tell people they must travel to Africa because it will change your life," says Anette Grecchi Gray, a chef at Jiko in Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Chef Grecchi Gray learned about African cuisine when she went to Africa to work with Zulu chefs, and now she invites you to take a walk on the wild side with authentic recipes that are sure to send your taste buds on safari.

Today's feast is a mouthful. Get ready as Grecchi Gray shows you how jumbo scallops, crisp mealie pap and chakalaka, otherwise known as tomato onion stew, come together to make a truly memorable African meal.

According to Grecchi Gray, the key to making the perfect stew is finding really big scallops. You'll also need salt, pepper, chopped jalapeno peppers, cilantro, crisp mealie pap cakes, tomatoes, onions and mosh.

Begin by browning the onions and jalapeno peppers. Next, add some color and seasoning. After giving the mealie pap cakes some color, sear the scallops to perfection. Put it all together, and you have a stew worthy of the Zulu!

In need of an appetizer? Grecchi Gray recommends tomato-cucumber salad with watermelon vinaigrette dressing.

"I call it a marriage made in heaven," she says.

Start by slicing up some ripe tomatoes. Then scoop out the inside of a cucumber, add red onions, and mix in some vanilla dressing. For a great presentation, make a mold for your veggies by removing the bottom from an old, circular tuna can. To create the watermelon vinagerette, combine two parts watermelon, one part cantaloupe melon, and add some rice vinegar.

Now you have a feast for your family, straight from Africa.

This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, which offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, click on: /newsalert/.

If you would like more information, please contact:

Karen Haynes
Walt Disney World
P.O. Box 10000
Lake Buena Vista, FL
32830
(407) 560-4576