Authentic Ghanaian Red Red Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Black-eyed peas
  • 1 cup Palm oil
  • 2 medium-sized Onions
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
  • 2 medium-sized Tomatoes
  • 2 Scotch bonnet peppers
  • 1 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
  • 500 grams Smoked fish
  • 4 cups Water
  • 2 cups Gari (cassava flakes)
  • 1 cup Vegetable oil (for frying)
  • 4 Ripe plantains

Steps and instructions

  1. Soak the black-eyed peas in water overnight. This will soften the beans and reduce cooking time.
  2. Drain the water from the beans and place them in a pot. Add 4 cups of water and bring to a boil. Cook the beans until they are soft.
  3. While the beans are cooking, chop the onions, tomatoes, and scotch bonnet peppers.
  4. In a separate pan, heat the palm oil. Add the chopped onions and fry until they turn golden brown.
  5. Add the tomato paste to the onions and fry for a few more minutes.
  6. Add the chopped tomatoes and scotch bonnet peppers to the pan. Cook until the tomatoes are soft and the sauce is well combined.
  7. Add the smoked fish to the sauce, making sure it is well coated. Cook for a few more minutes.
  8. Once the beans are cooked, drain any excess water and add the beans to the sauce. Mix well and let it simmer for a few minutes.
  9. In a separate pot, prepare the gari by adding it to boiling water. Stir continuously until it forms a smooth paste. Set aside.
  10. Peel the plantains and cut them into slices. Heat the vegetable oil in a pan and fry the plantain slices until they are golden brown.
  11. Serve the red red with the gari and fried plantains on the side.

Tools for making

Recipe variations

  • Vegetarian/Vegan: Replace the smoked fish with tofu or tempeh for a meat-free option.
  • Spicier Version: Increase the amount of Scotch bonnet peppers or add additional hot spices like cayenne pepper or chili powder.
  • Meat Addition: Include cooked and diced chicken, beef, or shrimp to add protein and a different flavor dimension.
  • Vegetable Variation: Add vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or spinach to the sauce for added texture and nutritional value.
  • Herb Infusion: Add fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley to the sauce for a vibrant and aromatic twist.
  • Coconut Milk: Replace a portion of the water with coconut milk to add a creamy and tropical flavor to the sauce.
  • Nutty Flavor: Sprinkle crushed peanuts or cashews on top of the red red for a crunchy texture and nutty taste.
  • Brown Rice or Quinoa: Serve the red red over brown rice or quinoa instead of gari for a healthier alternative.
  • Smoky Twist: Use smoked paprika or liquid smoke to enhance the smoky flavor if smoked fish is not available.
  • Gluten-Free: Replace the gari with gluten-free alternatives like gluten-free couscous or quinoa flakes.

Recipe overview

Red Red is a popular Ghanaian dish known for its appealing combination of black-eyed peas stew (red) and fried plantains (red). This traditional meal gets its distinctive color from the use of palm oil. The recipe also includes smoked fish, lending a unique flavor to the dish. While this dish is typically served with gari (cassava flakes), it can also be enjoyed with rice or bread. Preparing Red Red involves soaking the black-eyed peas overnight, making a flavorful sauce with onions, tomatoes, and scotch bonnet peppers, and frying ripe plantains to a beautiful golden brown. The overall cooking process is fairly straightforward, but packed with rich flavors and textures. Whether you're new to Ghanaian cuisine or a seasoned cook looking for a hearty meal, Red Red is a delightful culinary experience. Enjoy cooking!

Common questions

  1. Can I use canned black-eyed peas instead of soaking them overnight?
  2. No, it is recommended to soak the black-eyed peas overnight to soften them and reduce the cooking time.
  3. Can I use a different type of oil instead of palm oil?
  4. While palm oil is traditionally used in this recipe for its flavor, you can substitute it with other oils like vegetable oil or sunflower oil if you prefer.
  5. How spicy is this dish with the scotch bonnet peppers and cayenne pepper?
  6. The spiciness of the dish can be adjusted to your taste. If you prefer a milder flavor, you can reduce the amount of scotch bonnet peppers and cayenne pepper used.
  7. Can I use fresh fish instead of smoked fish?
  8. Yes, you can use fresh fish if you prefer. However, smoked fish adds a unique smoky flavor to the dish.
  9. What is gari and can I omit it?
  10. Gari is a type of cassava flakes commonly used in West African cuisine. It adds texture and flavor to the dish. If desired, you can omit it, but it is a traditional accompaniment to red red.
  11. Can I bake the plantains instead of frying them?
  12. While frying the plantains gives them a crispy texture, you can also bake them in the oven if you prefer a healthier alternative.

Serving dishes and utensils

  • Large Pot - Used for boiling the black-eyed peas.
  • Pan - Used for frying the onions and preparing the sauce.
  • Separate Pot - Used for preparing the gari.
  • Knife - Used for chopping onions, tomatoes, and scotch bonnet peppers.
  • Wooden Spoon - Used for stirring and mixing the ingredients.
  • Frying Pan - Used for frying the plantains.
  • Slotted Spoon - Used for draining excess water from the cooked beans.

Origin stories

Red Red, a Ghanaian delicacy, gets its name from the double dose of redness that comes from the red palm oil and the red spicy pepper used to prepare it. It's a popular street food and is loved for its hearty and spicy nature. The dish is traditionally served with fried plantains and gari, providing a delightful mix of sweet, spicy, and savoury flavours. It is said that eating Red Red on a regular basis is a testament to one's true Ghanaian citizenship, such is the fondness for this dish in the country. The smoked fish used in the dish is usually left over from the previous day's catch, making the dish resourceful as well as delicious. The preparation of Red Red is a kind of culinary dance, as the ingredients are added in a rhythmic sequence, building layer upon layer of flavour. It is more than just a meal, it's a cultural experience.

Disclaimer: This recipe was not created by humans and we cannot ensure that it will turn out as expected. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this recipe (including steps, ingredients, nutritional information, and all sections on this page). You should check to make sure you are not allergic to any ingredients and take safety precautions while making this. The images on this page are generated by AI and may not accurately represent the result of making this recipe.