Cooking Time: African Salad (aka abacha)

Abacha is one of my favourite African dishes. This exotic delicacy originated from the eastern part of Nigeria and can be eaten as a main or an in-between meal. 

To prepare this delicious dish, using a modern spin on the traditional method, you need the following ingredients (for 2 adults):

- 500g *dried **abacha (cassava flakes)

- 100g ukpaka / ugba (oil bean seed)

- 50g ***ogiri (fermented locust bean) 

- 1 okporoko (stock fish) / 2 ****Titus fish 

- 2 teaspoons of *****akanwu (cooking potash) 

- 1 cup of palm oil

- 1 seasoning cubes (Maggi, Knorr, etc.)

- 1 medium size onion 

- 3 tablespoons of ground crayfish

- 3 anara (garden eggs) 

- salt to taste

- chilli pepper to taste

- garden egg leaves

 How to prepare

Getting ready:

- soak the okporoko for approximately 4 hours (preferably overnight)

- soak the akanwu in water

- srepare the fish, season and ******fry

- wash the garden eggs and chop into desired sizes

- wash the onion and chop into desired sizes

- soak the abacha in cold water and leave for about 15 minutes to soften; then pour into a sieve and allow the water to drain off 

- season and cook the stock fish until tender: once cooked, separate into tiny bits

Preparation:

- mix the palm oil and akanwu in a bowl to form a yellow paste (ncha) - sieve and use only the watery content of the akanwu to avoid stones and other particles

- add ogiri, seasoning, pepper and crayfish

- stir and mix properly

- add salt to taste

- add abacha and ukpaka and mix properly allowing the ingredients to blend - you can add some garden egg leaves, stock fish, fish, onions and garden eggs if desired 

- warm and serve

- garnish with okporoko, fish, onions, garden eggs and garden eggs leaves

Notes:

* you can also use fresh abacha

** shredded cassava

*** preferably ogiri ishi

**** Mackerel, Thomson or any other type of fish can be used depending on preference

***** palm head ash can also be used

****** you can also grill the fish 

  

Food is ready! Enjoy!!

Specific ingredients used and preparation can vary depending on individual preferences

How do you prepare yours?