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Ikokore

Ikokore is a traditional Nigerian recipe for a classic dish stew of yams and smoked fish in a tomato-based sauce flavoured with hot chillies. The full recipe is presented here and I hope you enjoy this classic Nigerian version of: Ikokore.

prep time

20 minutes

cook time

100 minutes

Total Time:

120 minutes

Serves:

4

Rating:

Tags : Chilli RecipesVegetable RecipesNigeria Recipes

Locust beans are the seeds of the carob tree.These are fermented before use, and lend acidity and a little umami to the dish as well as being an excellent source of protein and the amino acid lysine. They also act as a thickening agent. If not available, you can substitute Maggi sauce or even a dash of soy sauce for the flavour.

Ingredients:

1 medium water yam
2 tsp tomato puree
1 medium onion
2 tsp fresh chilli paste
1/4 tsp locust beans
1 tbsp meat or chicken stock
100 ml palm oil
450g smoked dry fish
2 Magi (or stock) cubes
Salt and black pepper

Method:

Add the chillies to a pestle and mortar and pound to a paste. Chop the onion, add to the pestle and mortar and pound into the chilli paste. Meanwhile peel the yam, wash and grate it them add it to a deep cooking pot. Add all the remaining ingredients (except the fish) to the pot and add 250ml water. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for 1 hour.

Wash the fish, break into pieces and remove as many bones as possible. Add the fish to the pot along with the Maggi cubes. Season with the salt, reduce the heat to a low simmer and cook for a further 40 minutes or until the mixture is quite dry. Mash roughly with a fork and serve immediately.