COUNTRY:                           GHANA

DISH:                                     WAAKYE

CONTRIBUTED BY:            Tina Hammond, Jem Afrik Creations

 

Waakye, pronounced waachay, is a Ghanaian favorite dish made out of beans and rice with some spices. Although sometimes it is cooked using spices such as Maggi (bouillon cubes) or local green vegetables, this is a simple preparation though just as delicious. The beans used are normally black-eyed peas, some use red or pinto beans. It is usually served with Shitto (West African hot sauce), Gari (ground cassava), Talia (Spaghetti) 🙂 and your choice of a hardboiled egg, meat or fish; some people eat it with all three.

 

Ingredients

1 pound black-eyed peas (pinto or kidney beans can also be used)

5 cups rice

1 tablespoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

 

Method

    1. Boil beans in 5 cups water for 20 minutes on medium heat.
    2. Add rice and 2 cups water. Add baking powder and salt. (Note: Care to be taken as the water could boil over due to the introduction of the baking soda. Adjust heat if necessary).
    3. Cook on medium heat for 30-45 minutes – stir constantly every 10 minutes – until rice is tender.