| The Republic of Ghana whose name means 'The | | | | plenty of water. Swirl to loosen the skins and allow |
| Warrior King' was inhabited in pre-colonial times by a | | | | them to rise to the top of the water. Add more water |
| number of ancient kingdoms, including the Ga | | | | and simply allow the skins to drain away. Continue |
| Adangbes on the eastern coast, the inland Empire of | | | | rubbing the beans and raising the skins away until all |
| the Ashanti and various Fante states along the coast | | | | the skins have gone. |
| and inland. | | | | Combine the beans, onion, tomato paste, chillies and |
| Ghana is agriculturally a very productive country and is | | | | the salt in a pestle and mortar or food processor and |
| the world's third largest producer of cocoa. Fishing is | | | | pound to a smooth paste. Add the powdered prawns |
| also a major part of the economy and many Ghanaian | | | | if using, curry powder and the Maggi cube then mix in |
| dishes are based on fish. Local plants such as | | | | the bean paste. Wrap 2 tbsp of the mixture in banana |
| bananas, avocados, grapefruits, mangos, papayas, | | | | leaves, corn husks or greaseproof paper. Tie each |
| coconut and plantains are also highly prized and used | | | | parcel securely and place in a steamer. Steam over |
| in the country's cuisines. Chillies are also an important | | | | boiling water for about 45 minutes, or until the |
| component of Ghanaian cuisine and provides | | | | dumplings are firm and hold together. |
| significant vitamin C in the diet. Another feature of | | | | Tomato and Okra with Sliced Eggs |
| Ghanaian cookery is the use of boiled eggs as a | | | | Ingredients: |
| garnish. | | | | 120ml groundnut oil |
| Here are two traditional Ghanaian recipes for your | | | | 4 tomatoes, chopped |
| enjoyment: | | | | 300g okra, stemmed and sliced into rings |
| Steamed Black-eyed Bean Dumplings | | | | 650g cooked rice |
| Ingredients: | | | | 1 onion, chopped |
| 300g black-eyed beans | | | | 1/2 tsp hot chilli powdersalt, to taste |
| 1 tbsp tomato paste | | | | 4 hard-boiled eggs, peeled |
| 1/2 tsp salt | | | | Method: |
| 1 tbsp ground crayfish or prawns optional | | | | Heat the oil in a frying pan or skillet then add the onion, |
| 1 Maggi cube | | | | tomatoes, okra and chilli powder. Season with salt then |
| 1 onion, finely chopped | | | | bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook for 15 |
| 2 hot chillies eg Scotch Bonnet | | | | minutes, stirring occasionally add a little water if |
| 120ml groundnut oil | | | | necessary. |
| 1/2 tsp curry powder | | | | To serve, place 1/4 of the cooked rice on a plate, |
| Method: | | | | spoon the sauce over the rice then top with a boiled |
| To prepare the black-eyed beans: Soak the beans | | | | egg halved lengthways. |
| over night. Drain the beans then, the following day | | | | It is almost impossible to give the true culinary flavour |
| crush lightly with a rolling pin or potato masher to | | | | of an entire country in just two recipes. But I hope that |
| loosen the skins. Rub the beans firmly between your | | | | your curiosity is piques sufficiently for you to explore |
| hands to slough the skins off. Add to a pot along with | | | | Ghanaian cookery further. |