How to prepare “Aprenprensa” ,a delicious Ghanaian local dish

Aprenprensa is a delicious Ghanaian local dish that is typically made from a combination of yam, plantains, and a rich palm nut soup. This is a traditional dish enjoyed by many people in Ghana. Here is a way in which you can prepare aprenprensa:

Ingredients
For the Soup:
– Palm nuts (about 2 cups of palm nut paste or fresh palm nuts)
– 1 onion (chopped)
– 2 tomatoes (chopped)
– 1-2 tablespoons of ground pepper (optional)
– 1-2 tablespoons of ground crayfish (optional, for extra flavor)
– 1-2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
– 1-2 teaspoons of ginger (grated)
– 1 teaspoon of garlic (grated)
– 2 cups of water or broth (chicken or beef)
– Salt to taste
– Fish or meat (optional)

For the Aprenprensa
– 2-3 medium-sized yams (peeled and cut into chunks)
– 2 ripe plantains (peeled and cut into chunks)
– 2 tablespoons of palm oil (optional for extra flavor)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Yam and Plantain:
– Peel and cut the yam and plantains into chunks.
– Place them in a large pot and add enough water to cover them.
– Bring to a boil and cook for about 15-20 minutes until the yam and plantain are soft and tender.
– Drain the water and set aside.

2. Prepare the Palm Nut Soup:
– If you are using fresh palm nuts, boil them for about 30 minutes until soft. Then, pound them in a mortar and extract the palm nut extract (palm cream).
– If using palm nut paste, just dilute it in water to form a rich mixture.
– In a separate pot, heat the vegetable oil and onions, tomatoes, garlic, ginger, and ground pepper until softened.
– Add the palm nut extract (or palm nut paste), and stir to combine.
– Add the water or broth to achieve a soup consistency.
– Allow the soup to simmer for 15-20 minutes. Add salt to taste.
– Optionally, add fish, meat, or crayfish to the soup for additional flavor and protein. Continue cooking for another 10-15 minutes.

3. Assemble the Aprenprensa:
– Once the yam and plantain are cooked, add the palm nut soup to the pot with the yam and plantains.
– You can drizzle some palm oil over the yam and plantains for extra flavor.
– Let the dish simmer for 5-10 minutes, allowing the yam and plantain to absorb the rich soup.

4. Serve:
– Serve the Aprenprensa hot. It is often enjoyed as a main meal and can be accompanied by fried fish, meat, or boiled eggs, depending on preference.