Kelewele

• Kelewele

Kelewele is a Ghanaian dish which consists of deep-fried plantain chunks that are usually combined with salt, ginger, and hot peppers.

It is served as an accomplishment to beans stew or rice dishes, although kelewele is also often sold by numerous

African street vendors as dessert.

Some cooks add in peanuts, cloves, nutmeg, or cinnamon to the mix to give kelewele flavour.

Ingredients

• 4 riped plantains

• 2 large onions

• 1 teaspoonful of cayenne or chili pepper

• 1 tablespoonful of grated ginger

• 1 garlic clove (optional)

• 1/2 teaspoonful of nutmeg (optional)

• Salt to taste

– 1 Maggi cube (optional)

Directions

• Peel the riped plantains (You can cut both ends off the plantain. This will make it easy to remove the skin of the plantains)

• Cut plantains in diagonal pieces or medium chunks. Set it aside.

• Blend onions, ginger, garlic and chili pepper in blender or food processor. Add water to the ingredients (Make sure to obtain a thicker consistent mixture)

• Pour blended mixture in a bowl and add grated nutmeg, salt and cube. Set aside

• In a large bowl, mix the plantain pieces and the blended mixture together.

• Let it rest for about 10 to 20 minutes to absorb the flavour.

• Heat up a large pan with oil for deep frying under medium-high heat until hot.

• -Fry the plantain pieces, until golden brown. (Do not overcrowd the pan, it will cause the plantains to be soggy and absorb excess oil)

• Remove and transfer the fried plantains onto a sieve or tissue paper for drainage of oil.

• -Serve warm with groundnuts or cooked rice.

• It is mostly served with groundnuts or beans stew. While others prefer it as a dessert, it can also be served with plain rice, jollof rice and waakye as an appetizer.

Benefits of Tamarind Juice

Tamarind seed

Tamarind juice is particularly abundant in vitamin C, which is important for a strong immune system, healthy skin and wound healing.

Additionally, tamarind provides significant amounts of B vitamins like thiamin, riboflavin and niacin, as well as essential minerals like potassium, magnesium, and iron.

– Antioxidant properties

Tamarind contains potent antioxidants, such as polyphenols and flavonoids, which combat harmful free radicals in the body. This oxidative stress reduction can help prevent cell damage and lower the risk of chronic diseases, including cancer.

-Digestive health

Tamarind contains dietary fibre and natural laxatives that promote regular bowel movements, alleviate constipation and improve overall gastrointestinal health.”

– Heart health

Regular consumption of tamarind juice may have a positive impact on cardiovascular health. It can help lower cholesterol levels due to its high fibre content and antioxidants, reducing the risk of heart disease.

– Anti-inflammatory properties

Tamarind juice does a great job in curbing inflammation in the body. High in anti-inflammatory compounds such as polyphenols and bioflavonoids, this property makes it potentially beneficial for individuals suffering from conditions like arthritis or chronic inflammatory diseases.

– High magnesium content

Tamarind is rich in magnesium- 110 mg per 120 g of pulp. This simply concludes that drinking tamarind is a convenient way to meet your daily magnesium requirements. It plays an important role in the formation of bones, regulates heart rhythm, and contraction of muscles, and keeps blood sugar levels under check.

Source; Healthshots.com