Kaaweku

Kaaweku

 Kwaaweku is a staple food for royals in Ada. The name ‘Kaaweku’ is derived from two syllables – Kaawe which means crab in the Ada language and ‘Ku’ which is taken from ‘banku’ because of its preparation which is similar to that of banku.

In other languages, this food made from roasted corn flour and palm nut soup has different names with the most common being ‘Apa­pransa’ as it is called by the Akans. In the Ewe language, it is called, Dzemkpl3, and in Ga, it is called ‘Akplijii’.

Ingredients

-1kilogram of palm nut extract

-2 large onions

-4 large peppers

– 3 large tomatoes

-Two tablespoonfuls of grinded ginger

-Two tablespoonfuls of garlic

– Half cup of roasted corn flour

– Fish/meat

-Momone

-Two tablespoonfuls of powdered shrimps

-Smoked salmon

-3 large crabs

 Three tablespoonfuls of salt

Preparation

-Prepare the meat or fish to be used

-Season with your choice of seasonings, add blended onions, garlic, ginger if preferred

-Add salt to taste

-Allow fish/meat to steam for about 5-10 minutes

-Blend tomatoes and pepper

-Add to the steamed meat or fish

-Dilute palm nut extract with warm water and put on fire to boil.

– Dilute and melt the palm extract in warm water.

– Strain the palm nut extract to meat.

-Add crab after 5 minutes

-Allow soup to boil/ cook for 15- 25minutes (Normally ready when the palm oil separates to the top. Also, taste to see if the fresh taste of the palm is com­pletely gone).

When Palm nut soup is ready, pro­ceed to Kaaweku preparation

-Scoop about eight ladles into a separate saucepan

-Add about 9-10 tablespoonful of the cornmeal gradually and a spoon­ful at a time, stirring the mixture at the same time and continuously till desired pasty texture as achieved and all lumps are completely dis­solved.

-Add a scoop of soup and allow to steam for a couple of minutes.

– Serve into your bowl, gar­nishing with the crab on top, and enjoy. Soure: Ghanafoods.com