Palava sauce is a popular West African dish, especially in Ghana. It's a flavorful and nutritious stew typically made with green leafy vegetables like spinach or kontomire (cocoyam leaves), and it's often served with rice, yams, or plantains. Here's a basic recipe for palava sauce:

Palava sauce recipe
Prep Time
10min
Cook Time
35min
Total Time
45min

Ingredients

4 Servings
  • •	  of chopped spinach or kontomire (cocoyam leaves)
    • of chopped spinach or kontomire (cocoyam leaves)
    2cups
  • •	Fresh tomatoes (blended)
    • Fresh tomatoes (blended)
  • •	Tomato paste
    • Tomato paste
  • •	 medium onion
    • medium onion
    1
  • chopped
    chopped
  • •	 cloves of garlic
    • cloves of garlic
    2
  • minced
    minced
  • •	 thumb-sized  of ginger
    • thumb-sized of ginger
    1piece
  • grated
    grated
  • •	  of palm oil or vegetable oil
    • of palm oil or vegetable oil
    1/4cup
  • •	 Scotch bonnet or habanero peppers
    • Scotch bonnet or habanero peppers
    1
  • chopped (optional
    chopped (optional
  • for heat)
    for heat)
  • •	smoked fish
    • smoked fish
  • cleaned (I used tuna for this recepie)
    cleaned (I used tuna for this recepie)
  • •	cowhide (wele)
    • cowhide (wele)
  • •	 of melon seed(egusi)
    • of melon seed(egusi)
    1/2cup
  • •	Salt to taste
    • Salt to taste
  • •	 Maggi or stock cubes
    • Maggi or stock cubes
    1
  • •	Water or broth as needed
    • Water or broth as needed

How to make Palava sauce

  1. Step 1
    1. Prepare the Vegetables:
  2. Step 2

    If using kontomire (cocoyam leaves), boil them for about 5-7 minutes to soften them. Drain and chop them finely. If using spinach, you can skip the boiling step and just chop them.

    Step 1.1: If using kontomire (cocoyam leaves), boil them for about 5-7 minutes to soften them
  3. Step 3
    1. Heat the Oil:
  4. Step 4

    o In a large pot, heat the palm oil or vegetable oil over medium heat.

  5. Step 5
    1. Sauté Aromatics:
  6. Step 6

    Add the chopped onions, garlic, and ginger to the oil. Sauté until the onions become translucent and aromatic.

    Step 1.1: Add the chopped onions, garlic, and ginger to the oil
  7. Step 7
    1. Add Tomato paste
    Step 1.1: 1
  8. Step 8

    Add tomato paste. Stir well to combine. Add water to loosen it up

  9. Step 9
    1. Add Tomatoes and Peppers:
    Step 1.1: 1
    Step 1.2: 1
  10. Step 10

    Stir in the blended tomatoes and Scotch bonnet peppers (if using). Cook for about 5-7 minutes until the tomatoes break down and form a thick sauce.

    Step 1.1: Stir in the blended tomatoes and Scotch bonnet peppers (if using)
  11. Step 11
    1. Add Fish and Seasonings:
    Step 1.1: 1
    Step 1.2: 1
    Step 1.3: 1
    Step 1.4: 1
  12. Step 12

    Stir in the smoked fish or tuna and cowhide(wele), season with salt and stock cubes. Let the mixture simmer for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

  13. Step 13
    1. Add melon seed (egusi):
    Step 1.1: 1
  14. Step 14

    Stir in melon seed. Add a bit of water to loosen it up Cook for 3mins

    Step 1.1: Stir in melon seed
  15. Step 15
    1. Add the Vegetables:
    Step 1.1: 1
  16. Step 16

    Stir in the chopped spinach or kontomire. Cook for another 5-10 minutes, until the greens are tender and the sauce is well combined. Add more water or broth if needed to reach your desired consistency.

    Step 1.1: Stir in the chopped spinach or kontomire
  17. Step 17
    1. Adjust Seasoning and Serve:
  18. Step 18

    Taste the sauce and enjoy

    Step 1.1: Taste the sauce and enjoy

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories

265.0kcal (13.25%)

Protein

5.3g (10.5%)

Carbs

6.3g (2.27%)

Sugars

0.5g (1%)

Healthy Fat

13.4g

Unhealthy Fat

11.8g

% Daily Value based on a 2000 calorie diet

FAQS

  1. How do I prepare the leafy greens for palava sauce?

    If you're using kontomire (cocoyam leaves), boil them for about 5-7 minutes to soften, then drain and chop finely. If you opt for spinach, simply chop it without boiling.

  2. What can I substitute for palm oil in palava sauce?

    If you don't have palm oil, you can use vegetable oil or any neutral oil as a substitute. However, keep in mind that palm oil adds a unique flavor and color to the dish.

  3. Can I make palava sauce vegetarian or vegan?

    Yes! To make palava sauce vegetarian or vegan, simply omit the smoked fish and cowhide. You can enhance the flavor with additional spices or a plant-based protein like tofu.

  4. How should I store leftover palava sauce?

    Store leftover palava sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze it for longer storage, up to 2-3 months. Just make sure to reheat thoroughly before serving.

  5. What dishes pair well with palava sauce?

    Palava sauce is delicious served with rice, yams, or plantains. You can also enjoy it with fufu or boiled potatoes for a hearty meal.

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