As a food blogger, I’m always on the hunt for new and exciting recipes to try. So when my friend, who is of Ghanaian origins and now living in the US, told me about Banku, I knew I had to give it a try.
Banku is a traditional Ghanaian dish made from cassava and cornmeal. It’s similar to fufu, another African dish, and is typically served with a meat stew. My friend shared her family recipe with me and I was determined to make it as authentic as possible.
The first step was to gather all the ingredients. Cassava flour and cornmeal were easy to find at my local grocery store. My friend also recommended using kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper for the best flavor.
Making the Banku dough was surprisingly easy. I simply sifted the cassava flour and cornmeal into a bowl, added cold water, and mixed everything together until well combined. Then I transferred the mixture to a saucepan and cooked it over low heat until a dough formed.
The next step was to form the dough into dumplings and cook them in boiling water. This was a bit trickier, but with some practice, I was able to get the hang of it. The dumplings cooked quickly and were ready in just eight minutes.
I served the Banku with a hearty meat stew that my friend had also shared her recipe for. The combination of the soft and chewy Banku with the rich and flavorful stew was absolutely delicious. I was so proud of myself for making such an authentic Ghanaian dish.
Making Banku was a fun and rewarding experience. Not only did I get to try a new recipe, but I also learned more about Ghanaian cuisine and culture. I’m so grateful to my friend for sharing her family recipe with me and I can’t wait to make Banku again.
If you’re looking for a new recipe to try, I highly recommend giving Banku a try. It’s easy to make and packed with flavor. Plus, it’s always fun to explore new cuisines and learn about different cultures through food.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of cassava
- 1 cup of cornmeal
- 1 teaspoon of kosher salt
- 2 cups of water
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Start by sifting the cassava flour and cornmeal into a bowl. Add cold water and mix everything together until well combined.
- Transfer the mixture to a saucepan and cook over low heat. Stir constantly until a dough forms - this should take about 10 minutes.
- In a separate saucepan, bring 2 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of salt to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Use a spoon to form the dough into dumplings and carefully place them in the boiling water.
- Reduce heat to low and cook until the dumplings are cooked through - this should take about eight minutes.
- Remove from heat and serve with soup.
Notes
- You can experiment with adding other ingredients or substituting some of the original ingredients in the Banku recipe. For example, you could try adding spices or herbs to the dough for additional flavor.
- You could also try using different types of flour in place of the cassava and cornmeal. Just keep in mind that making changes to the recipe may affect the texture and taste of the final dish.
- You can use rice flour as a substitute for cassava flour in the Banku recipe. Rice flour has a similar texture to cassava flour and should work well as a replacement. However, keep in mind that using rice flour may change the taste and texture of the final dish slightly.
- To use rice flour in place of cassava flour, simply measure out the same amount of rice flour as called for in the recipe and use it in place of the cassava flour. Follow the rest of the recipe as written and enjoy your Banku made with rice flour!
- Cheese can add a rich and creamy taste to the dish. You could try using a mild cheese like mozzarella or a more flavorful cheese like cheddar or feta.
- To add cheese to the Banku dough, simply grate or crumble the cheese and mix it into the dough before cooking. You can experiment with the amount of cheese to add depending on your taste preferences. Keep in mind that adding cheese to the dough may change the texture of the final dish slightly.
- There are many different spices that would go well with Banku. Some options to consider include cumin, coriander, paprika, and turmeric. These spices can add warmth and depth of flavor to the dish. You could also try using a spice blend like curry powder or ras el hanout for a more complex flavor profile.
- To add spices to the Banku dough, simply mix the desired amount of spices into the dough before cooking. You can experiment with different combinations and amounts of spices to find the flavor profile that you like best.
- In Ghana, Banku is traditionally served with a meat stew, but it can also be enjoyed with fish or other proteins. You could try serving Banku with grilled or roasted meats, vegetables, or even a salad for a lighter meal.
- Banku is a versatile dish that can be paired with many different types of foods. Feel free to experiment and find the combination that you like best.
