These savory and spicy deep-fried cakes are made from extremely ripe plantains that have been mashed and blended with aromatic ingredients.
Prep time 10 minutes
Cook time 10 minutes
Total time 20 minutes
Servings 4 People
Ingredients
• Half a cup of water
• One bulb onion
• Five ripe plantains
• One teaspoon black pepper
• Half a cup of corn flour
• One clove garlic
• Two cups canola oil (for deep frying)
• One tablespoon salt
• Half a pound ginger root
Method
• Peel the ripe plantains and chop them into small, manageable pieces. This will make it easier for the blender to process them into a smooth puree.
• Gather all the ingredients, including the chopped plantains, and place them in a blender. The ingredients should include the corn flour, salt, black pepper, garlic, onion, ginger root, and water.
• Blend the mixture until it reaches a smooth and consistent puree-like texture. Make sure there are no lumps or chunks remaining in the mixture.
• To shape the kaklo, you can either use an ice cream scoop or your hands. If using an ice cream scoop, fill it with the plantain mixture and then release the shaped cakes onto a plate. Alternatively, you can use your palms to form the mixture into small, round cakes.
• Heat the canola oil in a deep pot or fryer until it reaches the appropriate temperature for deep frying.
• Carefully place the shaped plantain cakes into the hot oil and fry them for approximately ten minutes, or until they turn golden brown and resemble the appearance shown in the picture.
• Once the kaklo are cooked through and have reached the desired color, remove them from the oil using a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
• Serve the hot and crispy kaklo as a delightful appetizer or snack. These spicy ripe plantain cakes are best enjoyed freshly made, while they are still warm and have a crispy exterior with a soft and flavorful interior.
• Enjoy your homemade kaklo and savor the delightful combination of sweet, ripe plantains and aromatic spices in every bite!
Ghanaian sweet bread
This popular West African bread from Ghana is a delightful treat made with a combination of flour, sweetener (sugar or honey), nutmeg, eggs, milk, and other ingredients.
Prep time 20 minutes
Cook time 45 minutes
Total time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 4 People
Calories 200 kcal
Ingredients
• One teaspoon nutmeg
• One tablespoon yeast
• One cup lukewarm water
• One teaspoon salt
• One cup sugar (traditionally used in this recipe)
• One large egg
• One cup butter
• Two and a half cups unbleached flour
• One-quarter cup whole milk
Method
• Begin by heating one cup of water until it reaches a lukewarm temperature. This can be done by boiling the water for a few minutes and then allowing it to cool slightly. Once the water is lukewarm, add one teaspoon of salt and one tablespoon of honey. Stir to dissolve the salt and honey completely.
• Sprinkle one tablespoon of yeast into the lukewarm water mixture. Set it aside for 5-10 minutes to allow the yeast to activate. You will know the yeast is ready when the mixture becomes foamy and increases in volume.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine two and a half cups of unbleached flour with one teaspoon of ground nutmeg. Mix the dry ingredients together until they are evenly distributed.
• Add one cup of softened butter, one-quarter cup of whole milk, and one large egg to the flour mixture. Pour in the yeast mixture and combine all the ingredients thoroughly. Use your hands to knead the dough for approximately 10 minutes or until it becomes smooth and elastic in texture.
• Shape the kneaded dough into a loaf and transfer it to a greased baking dish. Cover the dish with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free area for about an hour. The dough should nearly double in size during this time.
• While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
• Once the dough has risen and the oven is preheated, carefully place the baking dish containing the loaf into the oven. Bake the bread for 45-60 minutes or until it turns a beautiful golden brown color.
• After baking, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool slightly in the baking dish. Once it’s cool enough to handle, gently remove the loaf from the dish and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Slice the Ghanaian Sweet Bread and serve it warm or at room temperature. This delightful bread pairs well with butter, jam, or your favorite spread. Enjoy the soft, fluffy texture and the subtle sweetness and nutmeg flavor in every bite!
