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Red Red (Bean Stew with Fried Plantain)

The Quirky Foodster Team

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Ingredients

  • 300 g (1 1/2 cups) black-eyed peas, soaked overnight
  • 80 ml (1/3 cup) red palm oil
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tomatoes, blended
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1-2 scotch bonnet peppers, to taste
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • Salt, to taste
  • 3 ripe plantains, sliced diagonally
  • Vegetable oil, for frying

Method

  1. Boil the soaked black-eyed peas in salted water for 35-40 minutes until tender; drain, reserving a little cooking liquid.
  2. Heat the palm oil in a pot and sauté the onion until soft.
  3. Add the blended tomatoes, tomato paste and scotch bonnet, and cook for 10 minutes until reduced.
  4. Stir in the cooked beans, ginger and a splash of reserved cooking liquid, and simmer for 10 minutes until thickened.
  5. Meanwhile, heat oil in a frying pan and fry the plantain slices until golden on both sides.
  6. Serve the bean stew hot alongside the fried plantain.

Introduction: Named for the red hue of its palm-oil-rich bean stew and the reddish-brown fried ripe plantain served alongside, red red is a comforting vegetarian-friendly lunch found throughout Ghana.

Cultural Background: Named for the red hue of its palm-oil-rich bean stew and the reddish-brown fried ripe plantain served alongside, red red is a comforting vegetarian-friendly lunch found throughout Ghana. The black-eyed peas are slow-cooked with tomatoes and pepper until rich and thick, then paired with sweet plantain for a satisfying contrast.

Tips: Use very ripe, black-speckled plantains for maximum natural sweetness to balance the spicy stew.

Variations: Some households add smoked fish or boiled eggs to the stew for extra protein and flavour.

Storage: Refrigerate the stew for up to 3 days; plantain is best fried fresh.

Reheating: Reheat the stew on the stovetop over low heat, adding a little water if it has thickened too much.

Nutrition: Calories: 380 kcal, Protein: 11 g, Carbs: 55 g, Fat: 14 g, Fibre: 9 g

FAQs:

Q: Can I use canned beans?

A: Yes, canned black-eyed peas work well; simply drain, rinse and reduce simmering time.

Q: Is red red spicy?

A: The heat is adjustable; use one scotch bonnet for mild heat or two for a fierier stew.

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