Ascension Plo is a traditional Ascension Island recipe for a classic lightly-curried one pot dish of beef, rice and mixed vegetables in a tomato base. The full recipe is presented here and I hope you enjoy this classic Ascension Island version of: Ascension Plo.
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This is a one-pot dish from St Helena and is considered amongst the national dishes of St Helena. As the majority of Ascension Island's population comes from St Helena and this dish is commonly cooked it's effectively (though not officially) the national dish of Ascension Island.
Ingredients:
450g Beef (or Chicken/Piece Bacon/Fish (Tuna is often used, but any meaty Fish works)
225g Rice
4 Potatoes (Chopped)
1 Onion (Chopped)
½ Cabbage (Chopped) Optional
2 Carrots (Chopped) Optional
2 Pumpkin (Small slices chopped) Optional
1 Tomato (Chopped) Optional
1 tbsp (heaped) Medium Curry Powder
3 tbsp Cooking Oil
1 tsp Sugar
Pinch of Salt
Tomato Sauce (or Tomato Ketchup)
Worcestershire Sauce
Method:
Place a wok or deep pan over medium heat. Pour in the oil and use to fry the onion for about 6 minutes, or until starting to brown.
Stir in the curry powder, sugar and add a dash of tomato sauce. Cook for 1 minute then add your meat and pour in just enough water to barely cover. Bring to a simmer and cook until the meat is half cooked (about 15 minutes) and browned on all sides.
Add in the chopped vegetables then pour over enough water to cover all the ingredients. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
Now stir in the rice, adjust the seasonings to taste with salt and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a boil, cover the pan and cook, stirring regularly. If making fish plo, stir in the fish about 10 minutes after starting to boil.
Continue cooking for about 5 minutes until the rice is completely cooked and tender. Serve hot.
Note that the dish is even better if served and re-heated the following day.
