Ekoki is a traditional Cameroonian recipe for a classic dish of pounded corn kernels mixed with cocoyam leaves, dried fish, palm oil and prawns that's flavoured with chilli, wrapped in banana leaves and steamed until form before being served as an accompaniment. The full recipe is presented here and I hope you enjoy this classic Cameroonian version of: Ekoki.
(click this button to prevent the screen from sleeping so Cook Mode is 'ON')
Ingredients:
1 bunch of fresh cocoyam (taro) leaves, shredded as finely as you can
7 fresh ears of maize
8 banana leaves
500ml red palm oil
1/2 smoked and dried fish
100g peeled prawns
250ml hot water
1 hot chilli, pounded to a paste
salt and freshly-ground black pepper, to taste
Method:
Use a sharp knife to cut the kernels from the ears of maize. Flake the smoked fish and remove the bones.
Place the corn kernels in a mortar and pound until you have a soft dough. Now add the smoked fish, prawns, cocoyam leaves and the pounded chilli. Pound together then add enough of the water to give you a smooth paste. Work in the palm oil then take two of the banana leaves (or sheets of greaseproof paper) and arrange in a cross shape. Take a quarter of the maize mixture and place in the centre of the leaves. Fold the leaves over to make a parcel and tie securely.
Repeat this process with the remaining leaves and maize mix. Place the parcels in a steamer basket and steam over boiling water for 90 minutes, or until firm. Allow to cool slightly before unwrapping and serving as an accompaniment.
Click on the image, above to submit to Pinterest.