Dandelion(Anwoto) stew served with boiled cocoyam(Makani)

Dandelion happens to be a very medicinal leaf or plant with other equally significant uses. The leaves can be dried and used for tea, the fresh leaves for soup, stew and even the root for medicinal purposes. In farming areas where the natives are very aware of the benefits this amazing plant offers, it is a precious plant that is planted in the backyard farms for easy access anytime there is the need.

Cocoyam's leaf is known as kontonmire(in Ghana) and it is a very common leaf used widely for stews and soups of all kinds in different countries of the world. 

   In this article, we delve into creating a delicious dish out of some uncommonly used foodstuffs which are cocoyam and dandelion. In Ghana, cocoyam is a foodstuff that is not always available in the market but its leaf kontonmire is most of the time easy to get. This crop is very rich in carbohydrates and it can be boiled, fried or even used to prepare porridge. Cocoyam porridge is known among the Ewes as (makanidzogbor), it is prepared like how potato porridge is prepared.

Whichever way or kind of dish it is used to prepare, it is definitely enjoyable. First of all, this cocoyam was obtained freshly from the farm.

Freshly obtained cocoyam and dandelion leaves

The process is quite simple. Let's peel the cocoyam and cut into nice sizeable slices and boil over a moderate heat. The shapes and size is  determined by you but as much as possible, it should not be too big to aid fast cooking.

Slices of cocoyam ready for washing and boiling

Salt is added afterwards when it is half cooked. Boiling from the onset with salt water or solution can prolong the cooking duration. After cooking, we strain the water off it and cover the boiled cocoyam. The next deal has to do with the dandelion stew. This kind is very simple just to make sure too much time is not wasted and our cocoyam gets cold.

Wash dandelion leaves in clean water for the first time and the second time, add a little salt to the water before washing it inside. Get a pan unto the heat and pour the leaves inside it. After some minutes, strain the water and grind the leaves in a grinding bowl.

Grinding the boiled leaves before adding it to a stew or sauce

Right after grinding the boiled leaves, we add it to our stew rich in meat, fish and other garnishes to make it all very nutritious and delicious.

The ready meal

How long does it take to prepare boiled cocoyam with dandelion stew?

The duration depends on the one preparing the meal but ideally, it should take less than an hour to prepare.