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Red red
Black-eyed bean stew in red palm oil, served with sweet fried ripe plantain
Red red is Ghanaian chop-bar comfort food, eaten at lunchtime from Kumasi to Cape Coast, and it gets its name from its two reds: the bean stew glowing with palm oil and the fried ripe plantain served alongside. Black-eyed beans simmer in a tomato and onion sauce until creamy, then a sprinkle of gari on top adds crunch. It is often made with smoked fish or momoni; this meat-free version uses smoked paprika for the same savoury edge. Chef's tip: choose plantains with mostly black skins; they fry up sweet and caramelised, the perfect partner for the salty stew.
- Total time
- 50 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
For the stew
For the plantain
Method
0/7 doneStep 1: Heat ¼ cup red palm oil in a pot over a medium heat until it thins. Fry 1 onion until soft and translucent.
5 minStep 2: Add 1 tbsp fresh ginger, 2 cloves garlic and 1 scotch bonnet chilli and fry for 1 minute until fragrant.
1 minStep 3: Stir in 14 oz chopped tomatoes and 1 tsp smoked paprika and simmer, stirring, until thick and the oil glistens on the surface.
10 minStep 4: Add 1 ¾ lb cooked black-eyed beans, ¾ cup water or vegetable stock and 1 tsp salt. Simmer over a low heat, stirring now and then and crushing a few beans against the side, until the stew is thick and creamy.
15 minStep 5: Meanwhile heat 4 tbsp vegetable oil in a frying pan over a medium heat and fry 2 very ripe plantains in a single layer, turning once, until dark golden and caramelised at the edges.
8 minStep 6: A common mistake is frying the plantain over a high heat: the sugars burn black before the slices soften inside. Keep it at medium.
Step 7: Spoon the stew into bowls, sprinkle with 4 tbsp gari (toasted cassava granules) and serve with the plantain alongside.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 520 kcal
- Protein
- 15 g
- Carbs
- 62 g
- Fat
- 25 g
- Fibre
- 13 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does red red take?
- About 50 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 40 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.
- What can I use instead of onion?
- 2 shallots per onion.
- What can I use instead of fresh ginger?
- ¼ tsp ground ginger per tbsp fresh (add it with the spices).
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