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Akple
Akplẽ: the firm Ewe swallow of corn and cassava, made for okra soup
Ewe homes in Ho, Keta and across the Volta Region eat akple at the main meal of the day, almost always with fetri detsi, the slippery okra soup that slides it down. It is firmer and less sour than banku, made by stirring fine maize meal into a hot base of fermented corn and cassava dough, and the finished balls are smooth, dense and mild. A vegetable okra soup makes it a meat-free meal. Chef's tip: add the dry maize meal in small handfuls and press every addition into the dough before the next; pouring it in all at once is the common mistake that leaves dry, floury pockets.
- Total time
- 30 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 10 ½ oz fermented corn doughfrom African shops; or mix 400 g fine cornmeal with 350 ml water and leave covered at room temperature for 2–3 days until pleasantly sour
- 3 ½ oz fermented cassava doughfermented, from African shops (sometimes sold frozen); or finely grated, squeezed fresh cassava
- 3 cups water
- ½ tsp salt
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Mix 10 ½ oz fermented corn dough and 3 ½ oz fermented cassava dough with 3 cups water and ½ tsp salt in a pot until completely smooth.
3 minStep 2: Cook over a medium heat, stirring all the time, until it boils and thickens into a smooth, glossy porridge.
8 minStep 3: Lower the heat. Add 7 oz corn flour (fine maize meal) a handful at a time, stirring and pressing each addition into the dough with a wooden spatula until absorbed.
6 minStep 4: Keep turning, pressing the dough against the side of the pot, until it is firm, smooth and no longer tastes raw. Cover and leave on a very low heat for 2 minutes to steam, then turn once more.
8 minStep 5: Shape into balls with a wet bowl and serve with okra soup.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 370 kcal
- Protein
- 8 g
- Carbs
- 79 g
- Fat
- 3 g
- Fibre
- 6 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does akple take?
- About 30 minutes in total: 5 minutes to prepare and 25 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
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