The Republic of Ghana whose name means 'The Warrior King' was inhabited in pre-colonial times by a number of ancient kingdoms, including the Ga Adangbes on the eastern coast, inland Empire of Ashanti and various Fante states along the coast and inland.
Ghana is agriculturally a very productive country and is the world's third largest producer of cocoa. Fishing is also a major part of the economy and many Ghanaian dishes are based on fish. Local plants such as bananas, avocados, grapefruits, mangos, papayas, coconut and plantains are also highly prized and used in the country's cuisines. Chiles are also an important component of Ghanaian cuisine and provides significant vitamin C in the diet. Another feature of Ghanaian cookery is the use of boiled eggs as a garnish.
Ghanaian Fresh Fish Stew
Ingredients:
450g fresh fish (any firm white fish) 4 hot chiles (eg Scotch Bonnet) pounded to a paste 2 tbsp tomato puree 3 tbsp ground, dried, shrimp 4 medium onions, finely sliced 4 fresh tomatoes, chopped and pounded to a paste 6 tbsp Kpakpo Shito 300ml water 150ml red palm oil 1 garlic clove, pounded to a paste 1 tbsp freshly-grated ginger salt, to taste
Method:
Clean the fish, remove the gills and cut into steaks. Wash the flesh with lime, lemon or vinegar then rinse in water and marinate in the garlic, ginger, chiles and salt. Set aside for 30 minutes before continuing.
Heat a little oil in a pan and fry the onions and tomatoes for a few minutes. Add the ground shrimps and tomato puree and allow to simmer for about 10 minutes, or until cooked. Add the water and the marinated fish (along with any remaining marinade) and simmer gently for about 25 minutes, or until the fish is cooked. Serve hot on a bed of rice or with boiled yams or plantains.
Tomato and Okra with Sliced Eggs
Ingredients:
120ml groundnut oil 4 tomatoes, chopped 300g okra, stemmed and sliced into rings 650g cooked rice
1 onion, chopped 1/2 tsp hot chili powder salt, to taste 4 hard-boiled eggs, peeled
Method:
Heat the oil in a frying pan or skillet then add the onion, tomatoes, okra and chili powder. Season with salt then bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally (add a little water if necessary). To serve, place 1/4 of the cooked rice on a plate, spoon the sauce over the rice then top with a boiled egg halved lengthways.
Dyfed Lloyd Evans is a cook, with a fascination for the ecipes of Africa. You can find more Ghanaian Recipes in his West African Recipes site.
Ghana is agriculturally a very productive country and is the world's third largest producer of cocoa. Fishing is also a major part of the economy and many Ghanaian dishes are based on fish. Local plants such as bananas, avocados, grapefruits, mangos, papayas, coconut and plantains are also highly prized and used in the country's cuisines. Chiles are also an important component of Ghanaian cuisine and provides significant vitamin C in the diet. Another feature of Ghanaian cookery is the use of boiled eggs as a garnish.
Ingredients:
Method:
Clean the fish, remove the gills and cut into steaks. Wash the flesh with lime, lemon or vinegar then rinse in water and marinate in the garlic, ginger, chiles and salt. Set aside for 30 minutes before continuing.
Heat a little oil in a pan and fry the onions and tomatoes for a few minutes. Add the ground shrimps and tomato puree and allow to simmer for about 10 minutes, or until cooked. Add the water and the marinated fish (along with any remaining marinade) and simmer gently for about 25 minutes, or until the fish is cooked. Serve hot on a bed of rice or with boiled yams or plantains.
Ingredients:
Method:
Heat the oil in a frying pan or skillet then add the onion, tomatoes, okra and chili powder. Season with salt then bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally (add a little water if necessary). To serve, place 1/4 of the cooked rice on a plate, spoon the sauce over the rice then top with a boiled egg halved lengthways.
Dyfed Lloyd Evans is a cook, with a fascination for the ecipes of Africa. You can find more Ghanaian Recipes in his West African Recipes site.