Waakye

Waakye

Waakye (WAH-chay)

Rice and Beans

Prep Time 1 hour
📈 Difficulty Medium
👥 Servings
6
🔥 Calories 440 kcal

A beloved Ghanaian street food of rice and black-eyed beans cooked together with dried millet stalks that impart a distinctive reddish-brown colour and earthy flavour.

Nutrition & Info

450 kcal per serving
Protein 18.0g
Carbs 65.0g
Fat 12.0g
Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

vegetarian vegan dairy-free gluten-free nut-free

Equipment Needed

large pot wooden spoon banana leaves

Presentation Guide

Vessel: banana leaf

Garnishes: shito, boiled egg, spaghetti, gari, fried plantain

Accompaniments: shito, wele, boiled egg

Instructions

  1. 1

    Boil soaked beans with millet stalks and baking soda for 30 minutes until half-cooked.

  2. 2

    Add washed rice and enough water to cover. Stir gently.

  3. 3

    Cook on medium heat for 25 minutes until rice and beans are tender and water is absorbed.

  4. 4

    Remove millet stalks. Fluff with a fork and serve on banana leaf.

💡

Did You Know?

The deep red colour of waakye comes from dried millet leaf stalks — without them, it is just ordinary rice and beans.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

  • large pot
  • wooden spoon
  • banana leaves

Garnishing

shito, boiled egg, spaghetti, gari, fried plantain

Accompaniments

shito, wele, boiled egg

The Story Behind Waakye

Waakye originated in northern Ghana among the Hausa-influenced communities and migrated south to become Accra's most popular street food. The dish represents Ghana's internal cultural exchange, now eaten by every ethnic group from dawn food stalls across the country.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed breakfast or lunch street food 📜 Origins: Northern Ghanaian origin, pre-colonial

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