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Wasawasa
Wasawasa: the Upper West's steamed yam-flour granules, tossed with oil, pepper and onion
Yam is dried and milled in the Upper West Region around Wa, and wasawasa turns that dark, earthy powder into a quick staple: moistened, rubbed into small granules, steamed, then tossed with oil, ground pepper, raw onion and salt. The result is brown, chewy and savoury, rather like a rustic couscous, eaten for lunch or supper, often with a fresh tomato and pepper relish and sometimes fish. Shea butter is the traditional fat; groundnut oil is easier to find. Chef's tip: add the water slowly and stop when the powder feels like damp sand; the common mistake is making it too wet, which steams into a single solid lump.
- Total time
- 45 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
For the granules
- 10 ½ oz dried yam powder (elubo)sold as yam flour or elubo in African shops
- ¾ cup wateras needed
- ¾ tsp salt
To toss
- 4 tbsp groundnut oilor melted food-grade shea butter, the traditional fat
- 1 tsp dried chilli powder
- 1 onionfinely chopped
- 2 tomatoes (optional)finely chopped, for a relish
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Put 10 ½ oz dried yam powder (elubo) and ¾ tsp salt in a wide bowl. Sprinkle over ¾ cup water a few tablespoons at a time, rubbing between your fingers, until it feels like damp sand and clumps when squeezed.
8 minStep 2: Rub the damp powder through a coarse sieve or between your palms to form small granules, the size of lentils.
8 minStep 3: Steam the granules in a cloth-lined steamer or colander over boiling water, covered, until they darken and are tender when tasted.
15 minStep 4: Tip out, break up any lumps with a fork and steam again for a few minutes until fluffy.
6 minStep 5: While hot, toss with 4 tbsp groundnut oil, 1 tsp dried chilli powder and 1 onion until every granule is glossy. Serve with 2 tomatoes mixed with a little salt as a relish.
2 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 360 kcal
- Protein
- 4 g
- Carbs
- 64 g
- Fat
- 14 g
- Fibre
- 5 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does wasawasa take?
- About 45 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 25 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of dried chilli powder?
- Cayenne, half the amount (hotter).
- What can I use instead of onion?
- 2 shallots per onion.
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