Cocoyam or yam porridge is a popular dish in Ghana and other countries in the Western part of Africa. In Ghana, it is called nnuhuu or mpoto-mpoto. A one pot dish and very easy to make for the whole family. It is perfect for baby’s first food. Just opt out or reduce the amount of hot pepper if you are giving it as a baby’s first food. Nnuhuu can be prepared with or with meat. But in this recipe, we will be using beef.
Ingredients:
½ lbs meat of your choice (cut in small pieces)
1 cup dry herrings
2 tbsp fresh ginger (blended)
1 small onion (diced)
1 fresh plum tomato (leave whole)
1 hot pepper (add more for preference)
1 tbsp salt or as needed
6-7 small cocoyam (roughly cubed)
2 plantains (cut in round pieces)
1 cup palm oil or as needed
How it’s made:
Wash your choice of meat and cut into small bite sizes. Place them in a pot. Add salt, blended ginger, diced onions, whole tomato, hot pepper and 1 cup of water.
Cover and cook on medium heat until the pepper and tomato are soft.
Take both the tomato and pepper out and blend it. Then strain and add to the meat.
Add dry herrings and 1 cup of water, cover the pot and let this cook for 10 to 15 minutes or until the meat softens.
Peel the cocoyam or yam, cut them into small cubes. Wash them and add to the meat and broth. Add 1 cup of water and allow it to cook until the yam is halfway done.
The reason why you should cook the yams first is because, ripped plantains are a bit soft and cooks pretty quickly compare yams.
Peel the ripe plantains, cut them in small bite size. Then add them to the pot. Stir well and cover. Allow it to cook until both the yam and plantains are very soft. Make sure to stir every 4 to 5 minutes to prevent the bottom from sticking.
Lightly mash the yams or plantains every time you stir. It will get thicker and thicker as it cooks.
Add palm oil and stir everything together. Add more palm oil as needed or as prefer.
