Boiled yam and plantain, with cocoyam leaf stew
Ampesi with Kontomire Stew
Simple boiled yam and plantain with a deep green, palm oil stew.
- Total time
- 1 hr 15 min
- Serves
- 4
- Level
- Medium
Ampesi simply means boiled food in Twi. Yam, plantain, cocoyam or cassava are boiled until tender and served with a rich stew. Kontomire (cocoyam leaf) stew is cooked in palm oil with smoked fish, eggs and plenty of pepper, and it is a Ghanaian comfort classic.
Ingredients
Ampesi
- 1 medium yam, peeled and cut into thick slices
- 2 ripe or semi-ripe plantains, peeled and halved
- Pinch of salt
Kontomire stew
- 500 g kontomire (cocoyam leaves) or spinach, washed and chopped
- 1/2 cup red palm oil
- 2 onions, 1 blended and 1 chopped
- 3 ripe tomatoes, blended
- 2 scotch bonnets
- 1 inch ginger and 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp ground egusi or blended melon seeds (optional)
- 2 tbsp smoked fish or fried fish, flaked
- 1 tbsp crayfish powder
- 3 boiled eggs
- Salt and stock cube, to taste
Method
- 01
Boil the yam in lightly salted water for 15 to 20 minutes, then add the plantain and boil for another 10 to 15 minutes until both are fork-tender. Drain.
- 02
Warm the palm oil gently in a pot for 2 minutes. Do not let it smoke. Add the chopped onion and fry for 5 minutes.
- 03
Add the blended tomato, onion, pepper, ginger and garlic. Cook on medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes until the oil floats on top.
- 04
Stir in the crayfish powder, flaked fish, salt and stock cube. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- 05
Add the kontomire, mix well and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring now and then, until tender. If using spinach, 5 minutes is enough.
- 06
Stir in the ground egusi if using, and let it cook for 5 more minutes. Add the boiled eggs.
- 07
Serve the hot yam and plantain with the stew spooned generously over the top.
Kitchen tips
- Kontomire must be cooked well. Under-cooked leaves can itch the throat.
- Use a mix of yam, plantain and cocoyam for a fuller plate.
- Leftover stew tastes even better the next day.
Cooking abroad?
Cocoyam leaves are sold frozen at African stores. Fresh spinach or taro leaves also work. Sweet potato or green banana can stand in for yam.
