Benachin Jenn

Name: Benachin Jenn
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 100 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Gambian
Ingredients: 1 whole grouper or barracuda, cleaned; 3 cups broken rice; 4 tbsp tomato paste; 3 large onions; 4 cloves garlic; 1 bunch parsley; 2 carrots, halved; 1 sweet potato, quartered; 1 cassava, peeled and chunked; 1 eggplant, halved; 1 cup vegetable oil; 2 Maggi cubes; 2 Scotch bonnet peppers; Salt and pepper; 5 cups water

Benachin Jenn (BEH-nah-chin JENN)

Fish Rice

⏱ Prep Time 2 hours

📈 Difficulty Hard

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 480 kcal

The classic fish version of benachin featuring whole stuffed fish cooked atop tomato-flavored rice with root vegetables and scotch bonnet.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 28.0g

Carbs 56.0g

Fat 16.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

dairy-free gluten-free nut-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ fish

Equipment Needed

large heavy pot with lid mortar and pestle sharp knife

Presentation Guide

Vessel: large communal platter

Garnishes: lemon wedges, fresh parsley

Accompaniments: salad, chili sauce

Ingredients

1 whole grouper or barracuda, cleaned
3 cups broken rice
4 tbsp tomato paste
3 large onions
4 cloves garlic
1 bunch parsley
2 carrots, halved
1 sweet potato, quartered
1 cassava, peeled and chunked
1 eggplant, halved
1 cup vegetable oil
2 Maggi cubes
2 Scotch bonnet peppers
Salt and pepper
5 cups water

Instructions

1
Make a stuffing paste by blending parsley, garlic, one onion, and Scotch bonnet. Stuff the fish with this paste.
2
Heat oil in a large pot. Fry the stuffed fish until golden, then remove and set aside.
3
In the same oil, fry remaining onions until golden. Add tomato paste and cook until the oil separates.
4
Add water and bring to a boil. Add vegetables, Maggi cubes, and salt. Cook until partially tender.
5
Remove vegetables and fish. Add rice to the tomato broth. Cook on low heat covered for twenty minutes.
6
Arrange the fish and vegetables on top of the rice. Cover and steam for ten more minutes. Serve on a communal platter.

💡

Did You Know?

In The Gambia, the most prized pieces of fish from benachin jenn are traditionally given to honored guests and elders at the communal platter.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

large heavy pot with lid
mortar and pestle
sharp knife

Garnishing

lemon wedges, fresh parsley

Accompaniments

salad, chili sauce

The Story Behind Benachin Jenn

Benachin jenn is the original and most traditional form of The Gambia's national dish. The word benachin means one pot in Wolof, and this cooking method has been perfected over centuries of Senegambian culinary tradition. The fish version predates the meat version, reflecting The Gambia's geography as a narrow country hugging its river. The technique of cooking rice in a richly flavored tomato fish broth produces a dish of remarkable complexity from a single pot.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed lunch, celebrations 📜 Origins: Medieval Senegambian

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