Ghana, Day 106 - Huevos Ghanani

1. Make some red-red (see below) two nights ago.

2. Get up real early and go to yoga.  Man, yoga is early.

3. Man, yoga can be painful when you haven't gone in over a month.

4. That means it's working, right?

5. On the way back, stop by Night Market -the new stalls make it nicer.  Check out the avocados.  GHS1.50?  Saa.  But, you know, you really want avocados.  The market woman will try to give you two very ripe ones, but ask for one for right now, and one for tomorrow.

6.  Remind yourself that GHS1.50 is about $1, and you would think that was an awesome price for avocados back home.

7. Fry up two eggs.  Leave them a little bit soft, if you're so inclined (I am).

8. Scoop out a bunch of the red-red - it doesn't really matter if it's cold, if you're like me, you'll eat anything cold, but hey, heat it up if you like.

9.  Plop.  Eggs!

10. Slice open the avocado, and sprinkle some salt on the eggs and avocado.  Not too much, there's already salt in the red-red.

11. Oh, you have papayas too!

12. Eat.

Suggested side:  Doxycycline.

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OK, so red-red.  The basic components of this are the same as most Ghanaian food - hot peppers, ginger, a bunch of tomatoes, palm oil, and simmering.

1. Stop by your favorite market lady.  Wonder if it would be polite to ask her name.  She hasn't offered.  Is that a thing here?  Smile.

2. Hey, she has black-eyed peas!  Buy some.  You will also need tomatoes, about GHS2 worth.  If you're following along at home, sorry, your best bet is probably to get canned diced.

3. The day before, soak the beans, about a pound or so, probably about the amount you get in a bag of dried ones from the grocery store if you're trying to replicate this in the US.  I like this way, from Bittman's book.  Cover the beans with water, and bring to a boil.  Let them boil for about 2-3 minutes, then turn the heat off.  Check a few hours later.  They may be all set to go.  If not, simmer them for a bit.  For this, you want them to pick up some of the flavor, so don't do them all the way all the way.  Stop just short of soft and creamy.

4. Get a big pot.  Put some palm oil in it and get your onions (1-2) sauteeing.  Do them until they're soft - if you haven't been reading these, don't bother trying to caramelize them, it won't happen in palm oil.

5.  While the onions are cooking, chop up some ginger (I use about a Tbs, but maybe less if you're at home, Ghanaian ginger is weak), and put in some curry powder.  I don't really think it's very authentic, but I like it in there.  Oh, and a bay leaf!

6.  Doot-de-doo.  In the US, this is where you can drink your wine.  There's no good wine in Ghana.  Seriously.  None.  Give up hope.  None.

7.  There's some OK wine.

8. When the onion is nice and soft, throw in your mess of tomatoes, along with some of those small green hot peppers (try habaneros in the US).  Slit them first, you get better flavor (but also more heat, so be careful!).  Cook until they start to break down.

9.  Throw in the beans, bring to a boil, then simmer until the beans are nice and soft and cooked through.  Adjust the seasoning (it'll probably need some salt).

10. Eat!

11. Do not eat if you're planning to see a member of the appropriate gender you're hoping to impress within the next 2-3 hours.