West African Ewa Aganyin: Mashed Beans with Spicy Sauce and Fried Plantains

To prepare Ewa Aganyin, you will need the following ingredients:

• 2 cups of black-eyed beans
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 red bell peppers, diced
• 2 tomatoes, diced
• 2 scotch bonnet peppers (or to taste), finely chopped (adjust for spiciness)
• 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon of paprika
• 1 teaspoon of curry powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Vegetable oil for frying
• Ripe plantains, sliced

Here’s a step-by-step guide to making Ewa Aganyin:

1. Rinse the black-eyed beans thoroughly and place them in a large pot. Add enough water to cover the beans and bring it to a boil. Cook the beans until they are soft and easily mashed, usually about 1 to 1.5 hours. You can also use a pressure cooker to expedite the cooking process.
2. In a separate pan, heat some vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and minced garlic and sauté until they become translucent.
3. Add the diced bell peppers, tomatoes, and scotch bonnet peppers to the pan. Stir well and let the mixture cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables soften.
4. Stir in the tomato paste, dried thyme, paprika, curry powder, salt, and pepper. Allow the sauce to simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Once the beans are fully cooked, drain them and transfer them to a large bowl. Use a potato masher or the back of a spoon to mash the beans until they become a smooth consistency.
6. Pour the spicy sauce over the mashed beans and mix well until the sauce is evenly incorporated.
7. Heat some vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Fry the sliced plantains until they turn golden brown and crispy on each side.
8. Serve the mashed beans with the spicy sauce alongside the fried plantains.

Ewa Aganyin is typically enjoyed by scooping up the mashed beans with the fried plantains. It’s a flavorful combination of creamy beans, spicy sauce, and sweet plantains that creates a delightful culinary experience. Feel free to adjust the spiciness according to your preference, and enjoy this traditional West African dish!