Akple, tomato sauce and okra

When it comes to African cuisine, the foods are always simple yet full of flavor. Usually consisting of a sauce or stew and based around staple starchy foods to bulk out the meal. Such as rice, yam, cornmeal, potatoes, peanuts, maize and millet. Grilled meats or fried fish often accompany the meals. This dish is one of mine and my daughters all time favorites. When my dad, her pops is visiting she will ALWAYS request Akple - Otherwise known as turned cornmeal.

Authentic West-African Dish . Akple, Okra, Salmon and sauce

Tomato Sauce

Ingredients:

Olive oil - 1tbs

1 medium brown onion

2 Tins of chopped tomatoes - 400gs

Half a scotch bonnet - medium heat.

Cayenne pepper - 1 level teaspoon

All purpose - half teaspoon

Garlic granules - half teaspoon

Mixed herbs including Thyme & Basil - half teaspoon

Equipment

Knife

Chopping board

Sauce pan

Silicon spoon

Tin opener

Teaspoon

Method

1. Place the pan on the stove, add the olive oil and heat over a low fire.

1. Add the chopped onion, garlic and sliced scotch bonnet pepper and saute.

2. Combine the sauteed onions with dry the dry ingredients, cook for a further 5 mins.

3. Pour in the tinned tomatoes, stir, cover and allow the flavors to marry -simmer down for approximately 30 minutes. Stirring occasionally to ensure the sauce is not sticking.

4. Do a final stir and taste check - Add salt if needed.

5. Cover and allow to sit and await serving.

Akple - or Turned Cornmeal.

Ingredients

Cornmeal flour - fine. 1 cup

boiled water - 1L (may not use all)

salt - to taste

Equipment

1 wooden spoon

1 saucepan

Measuring cups

Bowl

Method

- Mix 1 cup of cornmeal with 1 cup of water to make a smooth creamy mixture.

- Place the saucepan onto the stove on a low-medium heat and allow to simmer,

- Stir the mixture, you will notice that it will begin to thicken, add a half a cup of boiling water and continue to stir. Do not allow the mixture to get lumpy or stick to the bottom of the pan.

- Stir for 10 minutes - or until the mixture becomes fairly solid and no longer appearing wet.

- Remove from the heat. Take a wet bowl and place a portion of Akple into the bowl. Stir and swirl the bowl rather vigorously to form a round oval shape, and serve with fish and sauce.

We enjoyed this particular meal with Alaskan Salmon, however it can be enjoyed on its own, or with your favorite fish. Common fish we use are Tilapia or Red Sea Bream.

Oven Baked Fish

Ingredients

Wild Alaskan salmon 4 portions.

1 Lemon

Ginger- half inch - or 1 tbsp of ginger powder

Garlic - 2 cloves or 2 level teaspoons of garlic powder

Scotch bonnet or cayenne pepper - preferred taste

Momma J's Fish seasoning.

Equipment

1 Glass dish to marinade + cook fish

1 Knife

1 Grater

Method

1. Skin or scale the fish and wash with salt and lemon.

1. Rinse the fish and add grated garlic, ginger and a squeeze of lemon juice

1. Add Momma J's Fish Seasoning and set aside, allowing to marinate.

1. Place the fish into a preheated oven. Bake until cooked.

The time it takes to cook depends on the portion size of your fish. If in portions it should take between 15-25 mins in a preheated oven.

"If you do not like the flavor of ginger or garlic reduce the amount you use to season the fish, or completely forfeit it from the reciepe."

Okra - side dish

Ingredients 1 cup of Fresh Okra washed and sliced,

1/2 cup of water

salt

Requirement

Saucepan

Spoon

knife

Method

Place water into a saucepan on a low heat, add a pinch of salt and okra. Allow to cook stirring occasionally to avoid it catching on the bottom of the pan.