Ekene Aka
We all know we gots love for our own jollof, egusi, and pounded yam, but have you ever ventured across the border to explore the deliciousness of our West African neighbours? Ghana, right next door, boasts a vibrant food scene with flavours that’ll tantalize your taste buds and have you saying “Ghana must chop!” in no time. So, grab your plate and dig into these 5 Ghanaian dishes that’ll make you feel right at home:
- Waakye: The Breakfast Champion
Naija get beans and bread, Ghana get waakye. This one na morning champion, with rice cooked in beans and spices, then dem add all sorts of goodness like wele (pigeon peas), fried plantain, eggs, and your choice of meat or fish. Imagine beans and bread on steroids, with extra flavour and texture. Trust me, one taste and you go forget about beans for a while.
- Kenkey: The Steamy Sensation
Kenkey be like Naija’s moi-moi cousin, but instead of beans, dem use fermented corn dough wey dem wrap in banana leaves and steam. The result? A soft, slightly sour goodness wey dey perfect for dipping in soups and stews. Think of it like agidi wey level up, with a unique flavour and texture wey go keep you coming back for more.
- Fufu & Light Soup: The Comfort Combo
We all know and love fufu, but Ghana own fufu small different. Dem mix cassava and unripe plantain, making it smoother and lighter than our Naija version. Then dem pair it with light soup, a clear broth with tomatoes, pepper, and spices. This combo na pure comfort food, perfect for chilling on a Sunday afternoon. E fit be light, but the flavour no be smalling o!
- Palava Sauce: The Spicy Surprise
Don’t let the name fool you, palava sauce no be wahala at all! This rich stew is made with tomatoes, pepper, meat, fish, and the secret ingredient: bitter lemon seeds. The bitterness adds a unique depth of flavour wey go make your tastebuds do backflips. Imagine egusi soup with a spicy, citrusy twist, and you get the gist. Be warned though, this one no be for the faint of heart!
- Banku & Tilapia: The Match Made in Heaven
Banku na fufu’s younger, feisty cousin. This fermented corn dough na Ghana’s answer to our eba, but it’s lighter and slightly sour. The best part? Dipping it in a rich, flavourful tilapia stew. The combination of the soft banku and the flaky fish is pure magic, and the flavours go together like pangolo and shekere.
So there you have it, 5 Ghanaian dishes wey go tantalize your tastebuds and make you appreciate the culinary genius of our neighbours. Remember, food dey bring people together, so next time you see a Ghanaian, instead of arguing about Jollof, chop some of these delicacies together and celebrate the diversity of West African cuisine!
