Maize is one of the most consumed starchy crops consumed in Ghana. This means that the food products or dishes prepared from this very important grain are a lot. We will be exploring some of these food products and what special things there are to know about each of them.
This is made from roasted corn flour with groundnut paste, sugar, nutmeg, powdered pepper and salt. Read more
Akple is made from corn flour. It is a food prepared and known to be the favorite of the Ewes of Ghana. This notwithstanding, akple is not only consumed among the Ewes but in almost all the regions or tribes in Ghana. Akple is prepared with corn flour, salt and sometimes gari to add a particular aroma to the meal. It is eaten with all kinds of soups or stews like groundnut soup, palm oil soup, okro soup or stew, aborbi tadi, among many others. Explore how akple is prepared in detail. This food is without doubt one of the popular foods in Ghana which is made from maize or simply put corn flour. However, akple can be prepared using other alternative flour products like wheat flour etc depending on the texture or behavior of the kind of flour available.
This is made from fermented corn dough and happens to be a food widely sold all over the country at restaurants, along streets, schools, etc. Kenkey is seen wrapped in maize husk with a very unique taste which is made possible by the fermentation of the corn dough. To prepare kenkey, corn is soaked in water for a day or two before straining and grinding into corn dough. The dough is used to prepare 'banku' which is half cooked and this is known informally as 'corn porridge'. Even though called as such, it is prepared to have a good solid nature that makes it possible to form into balls that are wrapped nicely in corn husk. After everything is wrapped, some amount of the corn husk is poured into the pot and created as a cushion or lining before arranging the wrapped kenkey balls inside. A moderate amount of water is poured into the pot because the kenkey is cooked by the steam of the water.
Kenkey is enjoyed with soup or stew. Many of the indigenous folks love it since it is rich in carbohydrates giving the energy needed for the day's work. Some say, with a ball or two or kenkey, only a lot of drinking water is needed to keep them going throughout the day.
Roasted corn is used as part of the ingredients used to prepare the popular porridge mix known as 'Tom Brown'. Tom brown happens to be one porridge mix that is rich in nutrients because many different ingredients are used in its preparation.
- Nkyiwie / azikpeli/ Roasted corn and groundnut
A food like this happens to be one that is loved by those who indeed cherish the local food products. It is made from roasted corn and roasted groundnut which is seasoned with salt. It is sold in both rural and some urban markets where it is packaged in plastic bottles or plain rubbers.
To prepare this, some amount of sand or clean soil is washed and then heated until all moisture content evaporates, and then corn is poured into it and stirred very well. The soil with the roasted corn is poured into a basket or colander and then shaken to let off the sand and then retain the corn. This is the same way the groundnut is also roasted and the two are afterwards mixed with salt water sprinkled all over the mixture to taste.
This is a food that can be found most especially in the Volta Region of Ghana and also especially in areas where maize is farmed extensively. It is prepared by boiling corn and then seasoning with salt and sugar. Infant, cooking this dish takes more than two or three hours to cook and even this depends on the type of corn used. It is mixed with roasted groundnut and even at times dry coconut. It is a great food and farmers in the villages, love to go farming with this along, because when the main meal is finished, this is the best supplement to stay on the move and work. More on the food abora
This happens to be common once there are some fresh maize available. Mostly in the harvesting season of maize is when it is found almost everywhere and after that it goes it goes off the market as the fresh maize isn't available again. Freshly harvested maize is boiled by first removing the husk and once well cooked, it is dipped in salt solution and then enjoyed like that or with coconut. Roasted groundnut is even added in order to make it more nutritious for those who are very concerned about the consumption of a balanced diet.
Freshly harvested corn from the corn if not boiled is alternatively roasted. If fresh maize is available this can be easily found in the local markets.
- Corn flour porridge / vidzi katsa
Corn flour and corn dough is used to prepare porridge. Read more about corn flour porridge preparation. Corn dough porridge in detail. In the Ewe Language, the word 'vidzi' means "child" and the word 'katsa' means "porridge", so the word 'vidzi katsa' means porridge for the children. It is interesting to know this and it is true because children actually like this porridge. When I was young and anytime a fever disturbs, this is the porridge mostly I was fed with. When milk is added, the taste is just superb. - Kakro or corn flour fritters
Corn flour is added to some food materials or substances to prepare kakro which is better known as fritters. Ripe plantain is mixed with corn flour and other ingredients to prepare kakro, the same way ripe or over ripe bananas. Even without these, corn flour, margarine, sugar, salt, nutmeg, egg can be used to make kakro or fritters. How it is made
- Pour some amount of corn flour in a ball.
- Add sugar and salt solution. Break, beat egg and add. Add nutmeg and margarine and mix the entire composition thoroughly.
- Form into balls and deep fry until brown.
- Enjoy like that or with a soft drink.
- adunle or atsipipi or crunchy corn flour sticks
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