All About Dawa Dawa ( Parkia Biglobosa)

Dawa Dawa (Parkia Biglobosa) is a very valuable tree that produces dawa dawa. When not matured, the pods are green with a white inside, but at maturity the pods turn brownish and the inside yellow. When matured the dawa dawa pod can be opened on the sides and the yellowish parts of the dawa dawa sucked upon and the seeds kept for later use. Most often the dawa dawa is dried then pounded, and the seeds separated from the dawa dawa powder. The dawa dawa powder can be eaten in its powdered form or by fetching a little portion of this powder and mixing it with water to get a smoothie like texture and then eaten as a snack or side dish. As a result of the sweetness of the dawa dawa powder there is no need to add any sugar so is a sugar free treat which we enjoyed taking for years.

Dawa dawa was mostly used in cuisines in the northern parts of Ghana which comprise of the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions but is now used by many Ghanaians in all the other regions of the country in their cuisines. Other countries such as Mali, Niger, Senegal among others also use dawa dawa in their cuisines. To get the spice dawa dawa the seeds are cleaned and treated in water which may take a number of days and fermented before making the spice dawa dawa. (Will make a video on this in the near future).

This spice dawa dawa has a very foul smell but when used in dishes give the dish a very tasty and unique taste. Dawa dawa is mostly pounded alone and put in stews and soups. Or the dawa dawa is pounded with some salt, dried red chili pepper and dried herrings and used in the stews and soups. Others sometimes use the dawa dawa without pounding. It is used in the cooking of jollof rice as well.

Mango Beet Smoothie

Beets are full of nutrients and help in the lowering of blood pressure, cholesterol, and in cleansing the liver. This recipe, Mango Beet Smoothie is a low calorie, refreshing smoothie which is made with only beets,mangoes and water. Though this recipe is made with these ingredients, one could add a low fat yogurt, fat free milk, almond milk, soy milk in place of the water and that will equally be fine. Those that prefer to add some leafy greens like spinach is okay as well, the sky is the limit when it comes to reaping the benefits of beets and other fruits and vegetables. Is a very great idea since I did not add ice to refrigerate the smoothie before taking for those that like their smoothies very cold. This is a healthy sugar free recipe which is great for any day and occasion. Please give it a try and tell me what you think!! For another beet recipe Beet Banana Smoothie: http://youtu.be/AK3BA4MbCls

School Lunches

Meat Lovers and Vegetarian Pasta dishes are quick and easy to make. These are some of the meals I have made over the years for our kids to send to school for lunch. The tomato sauce can be made with any tomato sauce, or fresh or canned tomatoes, the other ingredients can be varied as well and this recipe will come out great as well. As shown in the video one can make this with ground meats or other meats or with no meat at all. One can equally prepare the vegetables a day before to further shorten the time need in recipe preparation. For those who prefer to use shrimp, that should equally be fine as well. This will be lunch for tomorrow for school.

Beet Banana Smoothie

Beets are full of nutrients and help in the lowering of blood pressure, cholesterol, in cleansing the liver. This recipe, Beet Banana Smoothie is a low calorie, refreshing smoothie which is made with only beets, banana and water. Though this recipe is made with these ingredients, one could add a low fat yogurt, fat free milk, almond milk, soy milk in place of the water and that will equally be fine. Those that prefer to add some leafy greens like spinach is okay as well, the sky is the limit when it comes to reaping the benefits of beets and other fruits and vegetables. Is a very great idea since I did not add ice to refrigerate the smoothie before taking for those that like their smoothies very cold. This is a sugar free recipe which is great for any day and occasion. For yet another sugar free smoothie : - Mango Beet Smoothie : http://youtu.be/_uDeLfzqBCI

BeetiFresh Drink

SuWhey is a light refreshing drink made from cherries, whey and Agave nectar. This is equally full of protein and healthy with low calories. One can use any other fruits in place of the cherries.

JOLLOF RICE

Jollof Rice is a dish which is very popular in Ghana, made in homes, and sold in most restaurants, in the local market areas and around street corner stores. This dish is also made in other countries in Africa such as Nigeria. It can be made with chicken, goat meat, beef, dried fish, fresh fish, shrimps/prawns, dried powered herrings or un powdered herrings as well, eggs, with canned fish like mackerel, sardines and so on. So the sky is the limit when it comes to the meats that can be used in the preparation of Jollof Rice.

The variation of the spices that is often used in its preparation is equally endless. Some spices used are, both regular and seasoning salts, garlic salts, red chilies, habanero chilies, magi cubes which is mostly used, ginger, wisa, nutmeg, onions, shallots, garlic and so on. When it comes to Jollof Rice preparation, some prefer to add cut up vegetables likes carrots, green beans, peas, and other greens to it. Depending on the tomatoes used and chilies, it can come out very red, light orange and so on but the color of this meal does not always take away the taste of the dish as it always comes out very tasty.

Also depending on ones preference various types of rice can be used; jasmine rice, basmati rice, long grain rice, brown rice and so on; but my preference in the preparation of Jollof Rice are basmati rice, jasmine and long grain rice as I feel these types of rice give a great taste, and feel to this dish- just my opinion. Jollof Rice can be served with a salad to the side, boiled eggs, fried fish and so on. Traditionally it its preparation, heat management is a must so one does not come out with a very burnt rice. cling wrap or other safe plastic bags are used to cover the Jollof Rice after all the water in it is absorbed to hasten the cooking process and to come out with a very soft texture. The amount of water one can use will depend on the quantity of rice, the length of time the meats take to cook as tougher meats need more cooking and water. Can be served as a dinner, lunch, and generally a great dish for any occasion.

Refreshing Salad

his is a very refreshing salad, that is great for any occasion. The variation of the greens is okay and if preferred any vinaigrette of your choice should be fine. Always remember to make and vary this recipes to your taste and availability of the ingredients. But this my Refreshing Salad goes well with the salmon, any fish for that matter and also goes well with meats like baked or grilled chicken, beef, mutton, pork, goat meat and so on or can just be eaten without the meats and fish.