Waakye

Waakye is a beloved Ghanaian dish made from rice and black-eyed peas, often cooked with millet leaves for a distinctive brown color. Enjoyed with various toppings like fried plantains, it's a flavorsome and authentic West African meal."

  • Preparation Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
  • Cooking Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 7 hours

Ingredients

Servings: 1
  • 2 cups
    Rice
  • 1 cup
    Black-eyed peas
  • 1 tsp
    Baking soda
  • 2-3
    Dried millet leaves or sorghum leaves (optional, for colour)
  •  Water
  • Salt Adjust to taste

Instructions

  1. Rinse the rice thoroughly until the water runs clear. Soak them in water for at least 6 hours or overnight.

  2. Soak the black-eyed peas in a separate bowl in water for about 6 hours or overnight.

  3. Drain the soaked rice and set aside.

  4. Pour the soaked black-eyed peas to the pot

  5. Fill the pot with enough water to cover the beans, and add the baking soda. And let it cook for 25 minutes.

  6. Pour in the rice, If you have dried millet leaves or sorghum leaves, add them to the pot for color.

  7. Place the pot on high heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for about 20minutes, or until the grains and peas are tender.

  8. Check the water level and add more to prevent burning or sticking. The waakye should have a brownish color.

  9. Remove it from the heat and let it cool slightly once the waakye is cooked. Remove the millet leaves if used.

  10. Serve the waakye with your choice of toppings, such as fried plantains, spaghetti, and shito sauce. Enjoy!

Notes

Waakye leaves, such as dried millet or sorghum leaves, offer a traditional touch to the dish, imparting a unique flavour and colour. However, they are optional, allowing you to customize your Waakye.

About the author

Bola Adeyanju

Tags

Courses: Ghanaian Meals
Type of dish: Bean dish, Rice dish
Cooking time: 30-45 minutes
Cuisines: Ghanian
Season: General
Difficulty: Level 1 (easy)
Preparation method: Cooking
Taste: Creamy, Savory, Spicy
Number ingredients: 5-10 ingredients
Campaigns: VeggieChallenge
Keywords: Ghanaian street food, Ghanaian Waakye, How to make Waakye

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