The {Page-Turner-Cookbook} featuring
Ghana
Cuisine is influenced by:- African -
Ghana:4 recipes
codfish acras
Jollof rice
Shito pepper sauce
Skillet chicken and rice
African:3 recipes
Moroccan spiced chicken breasts
Moroccan spiced chickpea soup
Skillet chicken and rice
The typical Ghanaian staples in the south include cassava and plantain, FuFu, Kinkey and Bankou.
In the northern parts of the country, their main staples include millet and sorghum. Yam, maize and beans aroused across the country as staple foods. .
Crops such as peanuts and Coco-Yam are also important in the local cuisine. .
With the advent of modernization and colonialism, imported crops such as rice and wheat have been increasingly incorporated in Ghanaian cuisine. .
In the northern parts of the country, their main staples include millet and sorghum. Yam, maize and beans aroused across the country as staple foods. .
Crops such as peanuts and Coco-Yam are also important in the local cuisine. .
With the advent of modernization and colonialism, imported crops such as rice and wheat have been increasingly incorporated in Ghanaian cuisine. .
codfish acras 
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes
1/2 lb (250 g) Salted codfish - flaked1/2 cup water
1 cup (120 g) flour
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
2 scallions, chopped
1/2 teaspoon Scotch Bonnet chile, minced
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
1/4 teaspoon Ground allspice
1 tablespoon white vinegar
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Corn oil - for frying
Soak the salted cod fish in cold water for 12 hours.
Cook in simmering water for 5 to 6 minutes. Let cool and clean, debone and flake the fish.
In a mixing bowl , mix the flour and water to from a paste.
add the fish, scallions, Scotch Bonnet chile, garlic, onion and seasoning.
add the egg yolks and vinegar
just before cooking, add baking soda and beaten egg whites.
Meanwhile, heat 2 inches of corn oil to 350 to 375 degrees in a heavy cast-iron pot or deep fryer. Drop the acras into it by the teaspoonful. Fry until they are light brown, turning once. When done, remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
Serve the accras as soon as they are ready with lemon wedges and curried mayonnaise sauce.
Cook in simmering water for 5 to 6 minutes. Let cool and clean, debone and flake the fish.
In a mixing bowl , mix the flour and water to from a paste.
add the fish, scallions, Scotch Bonnet chile, garlic, onion and seasoning.
add the egg yolks and vinegar
just before cooking, add baking soda and beaten egg whites.
Meanwhile, heat 2 inches of corn oil to 350 to 375 degrees in a heavy cast-iron pot or deep fryer. Drop the acras into it by the teaspoonful. Fry until they are light brown, turning once. When done, remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
Serve the accras as soon as they are ready with lemon wedges and curried mayonnaise sauce.
Jollof rice
Jollof Rice is probably the most famous West African dish. It’s long-grain rice spiced up with tomatoes, onions, bell pepper, garlic, and thyme, then simmered in a delicious chicken broth
Centuries ago, the Wolof or Jolof people (from the Senegambian region) created the rice dish. Back in the mid-1400s, the Portuguese introduced tomatoes, and the local people put them to good use.
Serves: 6
• 2 plump tomatoes, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• ¼ cup oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 Scotch bonnet pepper
• 1 teaspoon bouillon powder or cube
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups water
• Salt, to taste
Centuries ago, the Wolof or Jolof people (from the Senegambian region) created the rice dish. Back in the mid-1400s, the Portuguese introduced tomatoes, and the local people put them to good use.
Serves: 6
Preparation time:20 minutes
Cooking time:40 minutes
• 3 cups long-grain brown rice• 2 plump tomatoes, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• ¼ cup oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 Scotch bonnet pepper
• 1 teaspoon bouillon powder or cube
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups water
• Salt, to taste
1. Wash the rice and set it aside. Add tomato, bell pepper, half of the onion in a blender, and puree until smooth.
2. Heat your oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the remaining chopped onions, garlic, and thyme and saute for about 2-3 minutes until onion is translucent and slightly caramelized.
3. Then add tomato paste and cook for about 3 minutes. Add in pureed tomato mixture and cook while stirring for about 15-20 minutes.
4. Add washed rice, bay leaf, Scotch bonnet, bouillon powder, chicken broth, and water. Give everything a generous stir, then season with salt to taste.
5. Bring the liquids to a rolling boil, then cover and reduce heat to low. Allow rice to cook until tender and fluffy (about 30-40 minutes)
6. Turn off heat, allow the rice to cool for about 10 minutes, then fluff rice using a fork.
7. Serve with grilled chicken or meat.
2. Heat your oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the remaining chopped onions, garlic, and thyme and saute for about 2-3 minutes until onion is translucent and slightly caramelized.
3. Then add tomato paste and cook for about 3 minutes. Add in pureed tomato mixture and cook while stirring for about 15-20 minutes.
4. Add washed rice, bay leaf, Scotch bonnet, bouillon powder, chicken broth, and water. Give everything a generous stir, then season with salt to taste.
5. Bring the liquids to a rolling boil, then cover and reduce heat to low. Allow rice to cook until tender and fluffy (about 30-40 minutes)
6. Turn off heat, allow the rice to cool for about 10 minutes, then fluff rice using a fork.
7. Serve with grilled chicken or meat.
Shito pepper sauce
Shito is a very spicy traditional Ghanaian sauce. It is composed of peppers, and accompanies many dishes, especially fish.Shito can also be prepared with fresh bell peppers instead of chili peppers. They are crushed with onions and tomatoes in an asanka, a local terracotta bowl.
Author: Renards Gourmets
• 2 medium red onions , cut into small cubes
• 2 cloves garlic , very finely chopped
• 2 inch fresh ginger , peeled and finely grated
• 1/2 tablespoon crushed thyme leaves
• 2 oz. green kpakpo shito peppers (or green Scotch bonnet peppers, or alternatively 2 tablespoons dried green pepper flakes), diced with seeds
• 3 tablespoons tomato purée
• 2 oz. chilli powder
• 1 oz. ground dried shrimp
• 1 oz. smoked fish powder
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper , freshly ground
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
1. Heat a heavy-bottomed saucepan, then add the oil and fry the onions over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes until they become translucent.
2. Add garlic, ginger, thyme and green kpakpo shito peppers. Mix well and fry for a few minutes, stirring frequently.
3. Stir in the tomato purée and mix well.
4. Pour in the chili powder and continue cooking, stirring constantly for 30 minutes.
5. Finally, add the dried shrimp and smoked fish powder, then cook over low heat for 20 minutes, stirring almost continuously to prevent the mixture from sticking to the pan.
6. The content should change from dark red to very dark brown and the oil will rise to the surface when the sauce is ready.
7. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
8. Cool, then spoon into sterilized glass jars.
9. Seal the jars and keep them in the refrigerator for up to a month.
Author: Renards Gourmets
Preparation time:20 minutes
Cooking time:50 minutes
• 1 cup peanut or canola oil• 2 medium red onions , cut into small cubes
• 2 cloves garlic , very finely chopped
• 2 inch fresh ginger , peeled and finely grated
• 1/2 tablespoon crushed thyme leaves
• 2 oz. green kpakpo shito peppers (or green Scotch bonnet peppers, or alternatively 2 tablespoons dried green pepper flakes), diced with seeds
• 3 tablespoons tomato purée
• 2 oz. chilli powder
• 1 oz. ground dried shrimp
• 1 oz. smoked fish powder
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper , freshly ground
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
1. Heat a heavy-bottomed saucepan, then add the oil and fry the onions over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes until they become translucent.
2. Add garlic, ginger, thyme and green kpakpo shito peppers. Mix well and fry for a few minutes, stirring frequently.
3. Stir in the tomato purée and mix well.
4. Pour in the chili powder and continue cooking, stirring constantly for 30 minutes.
5. Finally, add the dried shrimp and smoked fish powder, then cook over low heat for 20 minutes, stirring almost continuously to prevent the mixture from sticking to the pan.
6. The content should change from dark red to very dark brown and the oil will rise to the surface when the sauce is ready.
7. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
8. Cool, then spoon into sterilized glass jars.
9. Seal the jars and keep them in the refrigerator for up to a month.
Skillet chicken and rice
A quick and easy dinner on the table in no time
Serves: 4
300 ml (10oz - 1can) condensed chicken broth;
125 ml (½ cup) water;
250 ml (1 cup) carrots, sliced;
250 ml (1 cup) green beans, cut;
2 ml (½ tsp) dried basil leaves, crushed;
2 ml (½ tsp) garlic powder;
175 ml (3/4 cup) uncooked regular long-grain white rice
1/2 cup steamed green peas
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time:20 minutes
454 g (1Lb) skinless boneless chicken breasts, cut into cubes; 300 ml (10oz - 1can) condensed chicken broth;
125 ml (½ cup) water;
250 ml (1 cup) carrots, sliced;
250 ml (1 cup) green beans, cut;
2 ml (½ tsp) dried basil leaves, crushed;
2 ml (½ tsp) garlic powder;
175 ml (3/4 cup) uncooked regular long-grain white rice
1/2 cup steamed green peas
In a non-stick skillet over medium high heat, cook chicken until browned, stirring often, set aside chicken.
Add broth, water, carrots, green beans, basil and garlic powder. Heat to a boil.
Stir in rice. Cover and simmer over low heat 5 minutes. Return chicken to pan.
Cover and simmer 15 minutes or until chicken and rice are done. Garnish with peas and serve.
Add broth, water, carrots, green beans, basil and garlic powder. Heat to a boil.
Stir in rice. Cover and simmer over low heat 5 minutes. Return chicken to pan.
Cover and simmer 15 minutes or until chicken and rice are done. Garnish with peas and serve.
Moroccan spiced chicken breasts
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time:20 minutes
1 tablespoon olive oil 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast
2 tablespoons canola oil
For Moroccan spice mix:
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons ground coriander
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon hot chili powder
1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Moroccan spice mix:
Mix ingredients together thoroughly.
Use as directed in Moroccan spiced chicken.
To prepare Moroccan spiced chicken breasts:
Blend the spice mix and olive oil in a shallow bowl. Pat chicken dry and dredge in the spice paste, turning to coat completely. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes. Heat canola oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
Sauté the chicken breasts until cooked through, about 6 minutes per side.
Serve with coucous or rice.
Mix ingredients together thoroughly.
Use as directed in Moroccan spiced chicken.
To prepare Moroccan spiced chicken breasts:
Blend the spice mix and olive oil in a shallow bowl. Pat chicken dry and dredge in the spice paste, turning to coat completely. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes. Heat canola oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
Sauté the chicken breasts until cooked through, about 6 minutes per side.
Serve with coucous or rice.
Moroccan spiced chickpea soup
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time:1 hour
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for garnish1 large onion, medium diced
6 to 8 cloves garlic, pressed
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 heaping teaspoon sweet paprika
1 (14.5-ounce) can chopped tomatoes
3 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed well
1 quart vegetable broth or reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 teaspoon sugar
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 (5-ounce) package pre-washed baby spinach
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until the onions begin to turn translucent; lower heat if browning starts to occur. Add spices and saute a minute or so. Add tomatoes, chickpeas, broth, and sugar. Season with a couple pinches of salt and 10 grinds fresh pepper. Stir well. Chickpeas should be just covered with liquid. If level is shy, add some water so the chickpeas are just covered.
Bring to a simmer, then lower heat to low and gently simmer for 45 minutes.
Remove soup from heat. Use a potato masher to mash up some of the chickpeas right in the pot. Stir in the spinach and let heat through until wilted, just a couple minutes.
Season again, to taste, with salt and pepper.
Serve soup, drizzled lightly with extra-virgin olive oil, if desired.
Bring to a simmer, then lower heat to low and gently simmer for 45 minutes.
Remove soup from heat. Use a potato masher to mash up some of the chickpeas right in the pot. Stir in the spinach and let heat through until wilted, just a couple minutes.
Season again, to taste, with salt and pepper.
Serve soup, drizzled lightly with extra-virgin olive oil, if desired.
Skillet chicken and rice
A quick and easy dinner on the table in no time
Serves: 4
300 ml (10oz - 1can) condensed chicken broth;
125 ml (½ cup) water;
250 ml (1 cup) carrots, sliced;
250 ml (1 cup) green beans, cut;
2 ml (½ tsp) dried basil leaves, crushed;
2 ml (½ tsp) garlic powder;
175 ml (3/4 cup) uncooked regular long-grain white rice
1/2 cup steamed green peas
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time:20 minutes
454 g (1Lb) skinless boneless chicken breasts, cut into cubes; 300 ml (10oz - 1can) condensed chicken broth;
125 ml (½ cup) water;
250 ml (1 cup) carrots, sliced;
250 ml (1 cup) green beans, cut;
2 ml (½ tsp) dried basil leaves, crushed;
2 ml (½ tsp) garlic powder;
175 ml (3/4 cup) uncooked regular long-grain white rice
1/2 cup steamed green peas
In a non-stick skillet over medium high heat, cook chicken until browned, stirring often, set aside chicken.
Add broth, water, carrots, green beans, basil and garlic powder. Heat to a boil.
Stir in rice. Cover and simmer over low heat 5 minutes. Return chicken to pan.
Cover and simmer 15 minutes or until chicken and rice are done. Garnish with peas and serve.
Add broth, water, carrots, green beans, basil and garlic powder. Heat to a boil.
Stir in rice. Cover and simmer over low heat 5 minutes. Return chicken to pan.
Cover and simmer 15 minutes or until chicken and rice are done. Garnish with peas and serve.
