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Waakye a Popular Ghanaian Food Recipe:

Writer's picture: Ramfat KitchenRamfat Kitchen

Ghanaian Waakye is a popular and flavorful dish made with rice and beans, typically served with a variety of toppings and sides. Here's a step-by-step process to make Ghanaian Waakye:

Waakye with stew and a gari with salad on side
Waakye a popular Ghanaian food Recipe

Ingredients:

For the Waakye Base:

  1. 2 cups of rice

  2. 1 cup of black-eyed peas or cowpeas

  3. 2-3 dried millet leaves (also known as sorghum leaves or waakye leaves)

  4. Water for soaking and cooking

  5. Salt to taste

For the Waakye Toppings and Sides: 6. Fried fish or fried chicken

  1. Waakye stew (shito)

  2. Shredded cabbage or lettuce

  3. Sliced tomatoes and onions

  4. Fried plantains

  5. Avocado slices

  6. Hard-boiled eggs

  7. Pepper sauce (optional, for extra heat)

  8. Groundnuts (optional, for added crunch)

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Black-Eyed Peas: Rinse the black-eyed peas and soak them in water overnight or for at least 6-8 hours to soften them.

  2. Cook the Black-Eyed Peas: Drain the soaked black-eyed peas and place them in a large pot. Add enough water to cover the peas, and cook them until they are tender but not mushy. This typically takes about 30-45 minutes. Add salt to taste during the cooking process.

  3. Prepare the Millet Leaves: While the black-eyed peas are cooking, rinse the dried millet leaves in cold water to remove any dust or debris. Place them in a bowl and cover them with hot water. Let them soak for about 10-15 minutes until they become soft.

  4. Cook the Rice: In a separate pot, wash the rice and cook it using the absorption method. Add water (about 2.5 cups for every 2 cups of rice), and cook the rice until it's tender and has absorbed all the water.

  5. Add the Millet Leaves: After soaking, remove the millet leaves from the water, and tie them into a bundle using cooking twine or a clean, food-safe string. Add the tied millet leaves to the cooked rice while it's still hot. Cover the pot and let it sit for about 30 minutes. This will infuse the rice with the distinctive reddish-brown color and flavor of the millet leaves.

  6. Prepare the Toppings and Sides: While the rice is resting, prepare the various toppings and sides. Fry fish or chicken until crispy, slice tomatoes and onions, shred cabbage or lettuce, fry plantains until golden, slice avocado, and boil eggs. You can also prepare the Waakye stew (shito) if you haven't already.

  7. Serve: To serve, scoop some of the millet leaf-infused rice onto a plate. Add a portion of the cooked black-eyed peas, and arrange the various toppings and sides around the plate. You can drizzle shito over the Waakye for extra flavor and heat. Serve with pepper sauce and groundnuts on the side for those who want to customize their meal.

  8. Enjoy: Ghanaian Waakye is best enjoyed by mixing all the elements together on your plate, creating a flavorful and satisfying combination of flavors and textures. Don't forget to savor the unique taste of the millet-infused rice and the spicy kick of shito!

Ghanaian Waakye is a versatile dish, and you can adjust the toppings and sides to suit your personal preferences.



Enjoy your homemade Waakye!


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