Plantain and Bean Porridge (Ewa Riro)

Name: Plantain and Bean Porridge (Ewa Riro)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: West African
Ingredients: 2 cans black-eyed peas (or cooked from dried, 15 oz), drained, rinsed; 2 ripe plantain (yellow to black skin), peeled, sliced; 4 tomatoes plum tomatoes (or 1 can diced tomatoes), chopped; 1 onion red onion, diced; 1 pepper scotch bonnet or habanero pepper, minced; 2 tbsp red palm oil (or substitute vegetable oil); 2 cups vegetable stock; 2 tsp dried crayfish powder (or 1 tsp fish-free umami powder for vegan); 1 vegetable bouillon cube, crumbled; 1/2 tsp salt; 2 cups fresh spinach (or frozen, thawed), roughly chopped

A hearty West African one-pot dish of soft-cooked black-eyed peas simmered with ripe plantains, tomatoes, palm oil, and crayfish seasoning for a smoky, deeply savory meal.

45 minEasyServes 4400 cal/serving

West AfricanLunchStovetopVeganHigh FiberGluten-FreeDairy-FreeEgg-FreeNut-FreeLow-SodiumAlcohol-Free

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Ingredients

2 cans black-eyed peas (or cooked from dried, 15 oz), drained, rinsed
2 ripe plantain (yellow to black skin), peeled, sliced
4 tomatoes plum tomatoes (or 1 can diced tomatoes), chopped
1 onion red onion, diced
1 pepper scotch bonnet or habanero pepper, minced
2 tbsp red palm oil (or substitute vegetable oil)
2 cups vegetable stock
2 tsp dried crayfish powder (or 1 tsp fish-free umami powder for vegan)
1 vegetable bouillon cube, crumbled
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups fresh spinach (or frozen, thawed), roughly chopped

Instructions

1

Heat 2 tbsp red palm oil (or substitute vegetable oil) in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat until melted and shimmering.
2

Add 1 onion diced red onion and cook, stirring, until softened, about 4 minutes. Add 1 pepper minced scotch bonnet or habanero pepper and cook 1 minute more.
3

Add 4 tomatoes chopped plum tomatoes (or 1 can diced tomatoes) and cook, stirring and pressing to break them down, until the mixture thickens into a paste, about 5 minutes.
4

Stir in 2 cans drained, rinsed black-eyed peas (or cooked from dried, 15 oz), 2 cups vegetable stock, 2 tsp dried crayfish powder (or 1 tsp fish-free umami powder for vegan), 1 crumbled vegetable bouillon cube, and 1/2 tsp salt. Mix well.
5

Add 2 peeled, sliced ripe plantain (yellow to black skin), pressing them gently into the stew. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 15 minutes until the plantains are very tender and the stew has thickened.
6

Stir in 2 cups roughly chopped fresh spinach (or frozen, thawed) and cook uncovered for 2 to 3 minutes until wilted. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot.

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Questions

How much time should I plan for Plantain and Bean Porridge (Ewa Riro)?

As written, 45 minutes: 15 of prep and 30 of cooking. The longest single stretch is step 5 (15 minutes): "Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 15 minutes until the plantains are very tender and the stew has thickened."

What can I use instead of Scotch bonnet in Plantain and Bean Porridge (Ewa Riro)?

The entry for Plantain and Bean Porridge (Ewa Riro) calls for 1 pepper scotch bonnet or habanero pepper, 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.

How hot is Plantain and Bean Porridge (Ewa Riro)?

Yes, it is properly hot. The heat in Plantain and Bean Porridge (Ewa Riro) comes from 1 pepper scotch bonnet or habanero pepper, minced. For a milder plate, remove the seeds and ribs from the scotch bonnet, 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.

Is Plantain and Bean Porridge (Ewa Riro) gluten-free?

Yes. As written, nothing in the ingredient list for Plantain and Bean Porridge (Ewa Riro) is wheat, barley or rye. Gluten hides in packaged goods, so read the label on the stock and the bouillon.

How many calories are in Plantain and Bean Porridge (Ewa Riro)?

One serving (the recipe makes 4) is about 400 calories, with 23 g protein, 44 g carbohydrate and 15 g fat, plus 5 g fiber and 273 mg sodium. The figures are estimates computed from the ingredient list.

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