West African Food Blogger

The West African Red Curry recipe

March 28, 2021by Fafa GilbertLeave a Comment

Recently I challenged myself to a taste test of recreating a West African Red Curry inspired by the classic Thai Red Curry.

Why would I even think of such a thing? Honestly I’ve always wondered why the Ghanaian Groundnut soup isn’t as popular as the Thai Red Curry as they both share a similar flavour profile.

The main difference between the creamy Ghanaian Groundnut soup and the Thai Red Curry in terms of flavour is the absence of Coconut milk, which gives the Thai Red Curry somewhat a sweeter taste.

On the day in question (where I experimented by substituting West African spices for the Thai spices), I omitted the Coconut Milk as I had none at home. Instead I added a tablespoon of the Caramelised flavour of the Ghanaian Honey which did lend its sweetness to the dish.

To make this recipe you’ll require the following INGREDIENTS;

1.2kg of whole Organic Chicken

2 tablespoonful of Ghanaian Groundnut Purée or smooth roasted Peanut Butter

1 tablespoonful of Sukoni / Nkitinkiti (Aniseed)

1 teaspoonful of grated DawaDawa (fermented Locust Beans)

6 Cubeb spice or 3 Calabash Nutmeg, 2 Grains of Selim pods and a teaspoon of Black Peppercorns

3 cloves of Garlic

3 large Banana Shallots or any Onion of your choosing

3 Bay leaves

1 tablespoonful of Shrimp or Crayfish powder

2 tablespoonful of Peanut Oil

30g of Ginger

1 teaspoonful of Cumin seeds

Juice of 1 Lemon

1 tablespoonful of Tomato Paste/Purée

2 Habanero Chillies and 5 Pettie Belle Chilies (KpakpoShito)

250ml of Coconut milk or 1 tablespoonful of the organic Ghanaian Honey

1 litre of Water / Chicken stock (increase the liquid by 250ml if you’re omitting Coconut milk)

4 fresh Basil

Salt to taste

TO SERVE

Serve with boiled Rice, Yam, Plantain, Gari (grated fermented Cassava granules), Fonio, Couscous etc

METHOD

Watch how to prepare this inventive West African recipe below;

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All photos, recipes and videos are by the owner of this blog.

NDUDU BY FAFA RECIPES, YOUTUBE

Salted Beef Omelette recipe

March 17, 2021by Fafa GilbertLeave a Comment

The traditional Ghanaian Omelette has a natural sweet and spicy taste due to the inclusion of Onions, Tomatoes and Chillies.

This recipe introduces an umami flavour in the form of the Ghanaian Salted Beef to the traditional Omelette. To make this recipe you’ll need the following;

INGREDIENTS

1 large sliced Banana Shallot or Onion

15g of Salted Beef

1 Medium sized sliced Green Pepper

3 tablespoonful of Coconut Oil

5 medium heat Green Chillies

1 medium sized chopped Tomato

4 medium sized Eggs

TO SERVE

How about making your own Ghanaian Tea Bread

METHOD

Watch how to prepare this flavour packed Ghanaian Omelette below;

Please don’t forget to subscribe, try the recipe, leave comments with your feedback and share with your family and friends.

All photos, recipes and videos are by the owner of this blog.

NDUDU BY FAFA RECIPES, Sauces & Marinades, Stews, YOUTUBE

The traditional Ghanaian Beans and Plantain recipe (Vegan)

March 8, 2021by Fafa GilbertLeave a Comment

Honestly I wished I knew the individual who created this recipe for Ghana. This individual needs to be celebrated.

The textures and flavours of this rather simple Ghanaian dish is one you need to try.

FLAVOUR PROFILE

The creamy slightly sweet flavour of the Black Eyed Beans pairs well with the crunchy slightly fermented taste of the Gari including the candy like flavour of the fried Plantain.

The above flavour is then drizzled with a smoky and spicy Onion oil which makes it a Vegan powerhouse of flavour.

There’s another version of this recipe known locally as ‘Red Red’ as Red Palm Oil or Zomi (spiced Palm Oil) is used.

INGREDIENTS

250g of Black Eyed Beans

1.2 litres of Water

Salt to taste

FLAVOURED OIL

20ml of Coconut / Vegetable oil

1 large sliced Onion

5 chopped Green Chillies

Salt to taste

30g of Gari (grated fermented Cassava granules) or try my Breadcrumbs recipe

FRIED PLANTAIN

2 peeled and sliced Plantains

100ml of Vegetable Oil for frying

Salt to taste

METHOD

Watch how to prepare this classic Ghanaian Vegan dish below;

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All photos, recipes and videos are by the owner of this blog.

NDUDU BY FAFA RECIPES, YOUTUBE

How to make Condensed Milk at home

February 26, 2021by Fafa GilbertLeave a Comment

Can you believe you only need 2 ingredients to make this? Perfect for your Ice Creams, doughnuts, candy or most sweet bakes etc

Once you make your Condensed Milk, place it in a sterilised Jar and cover it tight. It stores in the fridge for 2 weeks.
Once opened consume within 3 days.

INGREDIENTS

2 litres of Organic Whole / Full Fat Milk

500g of White Sugar

METHOD

Watch how to prepare Condensed Milk the easy way below;

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All photos, recipes and videos are by the owner of this blog.

NDUDU BY FAFA RECIPES, YOUTUBE

The Ghanaian Rice Porridge recipe

February 25, 2021by Fafa GilbertLeave a Comment

‘Rice Water’ as affectionately called in Ghana, is Rice Porridge which has a slight smoky taste to it when cooked on an open wood fire. It’s basically Rice cooked in water until it transforms into a mushy porridge like texture. It’s a popular breakfast choice in Ghana.

It’s a relatively easy, gluten free porridge to make where type of rice used isn’t specific to one, but what one has available.

The rice porridge can be enjoyed in its basic form, infused with Lemongrass, with milk or an optional fruit to enjoy.

Rice water can be enjoyed at breakfast and also comes in handy during the sudden hunger pangs one might experience some evenings.

My very first experience of cooking independently (I was about 8 years old) , was when I made Rice water for my Mum who was at the time ill.

It was a disaster as I used too much water, added uncooked rice and ended up with a mushy uncooked textured rice porridge.

Guess I’ve improved since.

My favourite flavouring to Rice Porridge is Lemongrass as it meant I needed just little Sugar for my porridge.

In comparison to Rice pudding, Rice Water/Porridge is lighter and has less calories.

INGREDIENTS

50g of white or brown rice

300ml of water

A pinch of salt

1 tablespoonful of Sugar

100ml of full fat milk

METHOD

Wash your rice and place a saucepan with the water on a medium heat.

Add the washed rice to the saucepan and cook gently for 20 minutes.

Reduce the heat to the lowest setting and add the Sugar and Milk.

Cook for another 3 minutes and serve immediately.

Watch how make this traditional Ghanaian Rice porridge below;

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All photos, recipes and videos are by the owner of this blog.

NDUDU BY FAFA RECIPES, YOUTUBE

KELEWELE: The traditional Ghanaian spiced Plantain snack

February 25, 2021by Fafa GilbertLeave a Comment

‘Kelewele’ is a popular Gluten free, Ghanaian street food snack made from ripened Plantain and ground spices.
The whiff of the wood fire smell mixed with sweet and aromatic greasy smell of the fried spicy Kelewele when bought on the streets of Ghana is an experience to behold.

Interestingly, Kelewele is only available each evening till late and hardly during the day ( I stand corrected if that has changed recently).

Whenever next you’re Ghana, why not enquire about it or better still make your own ‘Kelewele’ by following this simple recipe.

I’ve read on a few occasions where individuals are having difficulty in getting the spices to stick to the ripened Plantain when fried.

TASTE

Kelewele has an aromatic, spicy candy like flavour. You can reduce the amount of Chillies to suit your personal preference.

The video includes hacks to ensuring your Plantain is well spiced and how to get the spices to stick to the Plantain.

Please share the video as it might help someone. To make this traditional Ghanaian snack you will need the following;

INGREDIENTS

2 large ripened Plantain

1 medium sized Onion

1 teaspoon of Aniseed

1 Calabash Nutmeg or 6 Allspice pods

10 cloves

1 tablespoon of Black Peppercorns

1 Habanero Chilli or 5 dried Red Chillies

30g of fresh Ginger

Salt to taste

TO SERVE

Serve with roasted Groundnuts or Peanuts and a glass of your favourite homemade Lemonade or Watermelon Lemonade. See recipe below;

METHOD

Watch how to prepare this traditional Vegetarian, Gluten free and Ghanaian street food snack below;

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Sauces & Marinades, Stews, YOUTUBE

QUICK MEATY RICE RECIPE

February 7, 2021February 7, 2021by Fafa Gilbert3 Comments

Introducing a quick one pot Rice dish that’s packed with natural flavours and a perfect comfort food for a working week.

You can use Brown Rice instead of White Rice and also replace the minced Meat with either Turkey, Chicken or Pork.

Considering this recipe requires a few ingredients the outcome in terms of flavour is unparalleled to any other Rice recipes.

INGREDIENTS

300g of minced Beef

250g of Basmati Rice

2 medium sized sliced Onions

100g of Butter

1 tablespoonful of Aniseed

1 Bay leaf

4 tablespoonful of Suya spice Mix

1 tablespoonful of Smoked Paprika

1 tablespoonful of Mixed Herbs

1 tablespoon of Salt and Pepper to taste

300ml of Water or stock

TO SERVE

Serve with fried Plantain , Salad or steamed Vegetables

METHOD

Watch how to prepare this quick Ground Beef Rice recipe below;

Please don’t forget to subscribe, try the recipe, leave comments with your feedback and share. All photos, recipes and videos are by the owner of this blog.

Ndudu by Fafa, RECIPES, Sauces & Marinades, Stews, YOUTUBE

THE TASTIEST WEST AFRICAN GREEN CHILLI SAUCE RECIPE

February 5, 2021by Fafa GilbertLeave a Comment

Introducing an all natural flavour packed sauce that doubles up as a marinade for Lamb or Goat Meat.

Im currently testing it with Chicken and I’ll update you with the verdict later.

The recipe makes for a mild, tangy Green Chilli Sauce with subtle hints of seafood and a smoky taste. For a spicier version you can use Green Habanero Chilli or Scotch Bonnet.

Add a few teaspoonful to your fried Rice, Scrambled Eggs or Potato salad. Use this sauce the way you would Ketchup and also as a marinade.

I’ve covered into detail, which type of spices to use for varied Meat products on my YouTube channel, ‘Ndudu by Fafa’, titled ‘The Beginners Guide to using Spices’.

MARINADE YOUR LAMB WITH THE GREEN CHILLI SAUCE

INGREDIENTS

100g of mild Green Chillies

150g of Pettie Belle Chillies (Kpakposhito) – in the absence of this Chilli you can increase the amount of mild Green Chillies to 200g and add 1 Green Bell Pepper

100g of Squid Rings/Scallops/Fresh Prawns/Snail

200ml of Rapeseed/Groundnut/Peanut oil

4 large Onions

4 cloves of Garlic

2 tablespoonful of Apple Cider Vinegar

200g of Parsley

70g of smoked Shrimps

Salt to taste

ROAST SHOULDER OF LAMB

1 zest and juice of Lime

1.5kg shoulder of Lamb

1 tablespoonful of Cumin seeds or powder

1 tablespoonful of Salt to taste

METHOD

Watch how to make this versatile all natural Green Chilli sauce below;

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All photos, recipes and videos are by the owner of this blog.

YOUTUBE

EASY COCONUT CURRY RICE RECIPE

February 3, 2021February 3, 2021by Fafa GilbertLeave a Comment

Coconut Curry Rice

Enjoy this budget friendly and equally delicious Coconut Curry Rice recipe with a few ingredients.

INGREDIENTS

200g of Basmati/ Long grain or Jasmine Rice

250ml of Coconut Milk

60g of Butter or Coconut oil

3 dried Chillies or 1 teaspoon of Chilli flakes

1 Cinnamon stick

1 tablespoonful of Cumin seeds

1 tablespoonful of Curry Powder

Half a teaspoon of Salt

TO SERVE

With this versatile recipe you can add some shredded Chicken, Eggs, Mushrooms, varied Vegetables etc that’s readily available to you to make fried Rice.

Alternatively you can serve it with either Lamb or Fish stew and some steamed Vegetables, all of which are available on my YouTube channel, ‘Ndudu by Fafa’.

METHOD

Watch how to prepare this easy and equally delicious Curry Coconut Rice recipe below;

Please don’t forget to subscribe, try the recipe, leave comments with your feedback and share.

All photos, recipes and videos are by the owner of the blog.

Sauces & Marinades, Stews, YOUTUBE

AYAMASE CHICKEN CAKES

January 19, 2021by Fafa GilbertLeave a Comment

Ayamase Cakes

In my previous posts I shared how to make your own Chicken Confit, the Nigerian Ayamase sauce and Pan Fried Chicken Pies. Using my leftovers for the aforementioned recipes, I made this quick lunch or dinner Chicken Cakes.

INGREDIENTS

200g of crushed Potatoes

400g of shredded Chicken

2 tablespoonful of the Ayamase sauce

60g of Spring Onions

Salt was omitted from the recipe as the Ayamase sauce had enough salt. If you missed the aforementioned recipes you can find the recipe links below;

AYAMASE SAUCE