Banku and Tilapia

Name: Banku and Tilapia
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 65 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Ghanaian
Ingredients: 2 cups fermented corn dough; 1 cup fermented cassava dough; 3 cups water; 1 tsp salt; 2 whole whole tilapia fish, scaled, gutted; 2 tbsp fresh ginger, grated; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 1 scotch bonnet pepper, finely minced; 2 tbsp vegetable oil; 1 red onion, diced; 2 fresh tomatoes, diced

A classic Ghanaian dish featuring tender, fermented corn and cassava dough served alongside spiced grilled whole tilapia with fresh raw salsa.

65 minMediumServes 4580 cal/serving

GhanaianDinnerGrill and StovetopPescatarianHigh ProteinHigh FiberGluten-FreeDairy-FreeNut-FreeEgg-FreeShellfish-FreeSoy-FreePork-Free

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Ingredients

2 cups fermented corn dough
1 cup fermented cassava dough
3 cups water
1 tsp salt
2 whole whole tilapia fish, scaled, gutted
2 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 scotch bonnet pepper, finely minced
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 red onion, diced
2 fresh tomatoes, diced

Instructions

1

Mix 2 cups fermented corn dough, 1 cup fermented cassava dough, 3 cups water, and 1 tsp salt in a pot until smooth.
2

Place the pot over medium heat and stir continuously with a wooden spoon until thick and smooth.
3

Knead the dough against the sides of the pot until firm, then shape into smooth balls.
4

Score 2 whole scaled, gutted whole tilapia fish and season with 2 tbsp grated fresh ginger, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 finely minced scotch bonnet pepper, 2 tbsp vegetable oil, and extra 1 tsp salt.
5

Grill 2 whole scaled, gutted whole tilapia fish over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F.
6

Serve the cooked banku hot with grilled fish, 1 diced red onion, and 2 diced fresh tomatoes.

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Questions

What internal temperature should Banku and Tilapia reach?

For Banku and Tilapia, the target internal temperature is 145 F (about 65 C), given in step 5. A probe thermometer removes the guesswork.

Why score it in Banku and Tilapia?

The shallow cuts in step 4 let fat render and seasoning reach further in, and they keep the surface from curling as it tightens in the heat.

Is there a substitute for Scotch bonnet in Banku and Tilapia?

The entry for Banku and Tilapia calls for 1 scotch bonnet pepper, finely minced. In its place: Habanero has the same heat and a similar fruitiness. For much less heat, use a jalapeno and a strip of orange bell pepper.

Is Banku and Tilapia spicy?

Yes, it is properly hot. The heat in Banku and Tilapia comes from 1 scotch bonnet pepper, finely minced. For a milder plate, remove the seeds and ribs from the pepper, or use half; nothing else in the method changes. For more, add it at the table rather than in the pot, so everyone sets their own level.

Does Banku and Tilapia contain fish?

Yes: 2 whole whole tilapia fish, scaled, gutted. The full allergen list for this entry is fish. Packaged ingredients vary by brand, so check labels if the allergy is serious.

Serve it with

Shito Cabbage Salad salad
Camote Fries with Aji Dipping Sauce side
Ensalada Mixta salad

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