{"id":"banku_4da1eeba40","slug":"banku","title":"Banku","description":"A traditional West African staple made from fermented corn and cassava dough. It is cooked into a smooth, elastic consistency and is famously served with okra soup, grilled tilapia, or shito.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":30,"totalMinutes":35,"activeMinutes":30},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"500g fermented corn dough","name":"Corn Dough","quantity":500,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"cup","form":"fermented","notes":"crumbled","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"250g fermented cassava dough","name":"Cassava Dough","quantity":250,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"cup","form":"fermented","notes":"fibers removed","group":"Dough","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"500ml water","name":"Water","quantity":500,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"","group":"Liquid","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1 tsp salt","name":"Salt","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"granulated","notes":"to taste","group":"Seasoning","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"In a heavy-bottomed pot, mix the fermented corn dough and cassava dough with 500ml (2 cups) of water. Use your hands or a whisk to break down all lumps until a smooth, thin paste is formed.","group":"Preparation","title":"Mix the fermented corn dough and cassava dough","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Add 1 tsp of salt to the mixture and stir well. Place the pot on medium heat.","group":"Cooking","title":"Add 1 tsp of salt","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Stir the mixture continuously with a wooden spatula. As it heats up, it will begin to thicken and form lumps. Keep stirring vigorously to keep it smooth.","group":"Cooking","title":"Stir the mixture continuously","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Once it becomes a thick paste, start 'driving' the dough: use the spatula to knead the dough against the sides of the pot. If it's too hard, add a splash of hot water. Cover and let it steam on low heat for 5 minutes, then knead again for another 5-10 minutes until it looks smooth and slightly translucent.","group":"Cooking","title":"Once it becomes a thick paste, start 'driving' the dough","timerMinutes":15,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Dampen a small bowl with water. Scoop a portion of the hot Banku into the bowl and shake it in a circular motion to form a smooth ball. Repeat for the remaining dough.","group":"Plating","title":"Dampen a small bowl","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Plating"}],"notes":"Authentic Banku depends on the quality of the fermentation. For a smoother texture, ensure all lumps are dissolved in the water before turning on the heat. Use a sturdy wooden spatula (banku ta) to 'drive' or knead the dough against the side of the pot.","cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Ghanaian"]},"course":["main"],"cookingMethod":["boil","simmer"],"equipment":["heavy-bottomed pot","wooden spatula","small bowl"],"diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free"],"allergens":[],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":4,"unit":"balls","note":"Medium-sized portions"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The dough can be fermented 3-4 days in advance. Cooked Banku can be wrapped in plastic and stored."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Wrap individual balls tightly in cling film to prevent a crust from forming.","reheatingNotes":"Steam or microwave with a sprinkle of water until heated through."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fbanku_4da1eeba40%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=c0d671f6-2ac9-48ed-a0b5-d575d26d5816","imageAlt":"Banku — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["fermented","swallow","ghanaian","traditional","corn","cassava","starchy"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Banku","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T22:02:05.067Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T22:02:05.067Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_17142e2daf","slug":"asida-traditional-african-porridge","title":"Asida (Traditional African Porridge)","description":"A thick, smooth, cooked flour pudding popular across North and East Africa, typically served with melted butter and honey or date syrup for a comforting breakfast.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":25,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Sudanese","Libyan"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_17142e2daf%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=e46cb0f8-07cd-453d-8e07-df1274fe8fc9","imageAlt":"Asida (Traditional African Porridge) — recipe cover","tags":["porridge","traditional","sweet","dough","filling","soft"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":5,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_e6582a3999","slug":"firfir-ethiopian-breakfast-fit-fit","title":"Firfir (Ethiopian Breakfast Fit-fit)","description":"A classic savory Ethiopian breakfast made with torn pieces of injera soaked in a spicy, flavorful sauce of berbere spice, aromatics, and spiced clarified butter.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Ethiopian","Eritrean"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_e6582a3999%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=f2f625e4-ee9c-425d-8c20-8e0103664b3e","imageAlt":"Firfir (Ethiopian Breakfast Fit-fit) — recipe cover","tags":["firfir","ethiopian","spicy","breakfast","injera","african"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":10,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_18a4e55c12","slug":"kitfo-ethiopian-minced-beef","title":"Kitfo (Ethiopian Minced Beef)","description":"A traditional Ethiopian delicacy featuring finely minced lean beef seasoned with spicy mitmita and rich, aromatic niter kibbeh (spiced clarified butter).","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":5,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Ethiopian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["high_protein","gluten_free","low_carb"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_18a4e55c12%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=aeedadce-d5d5-4aa2-aa31-f13472950759","imageAlt":"Kitfo (Ethiopian Minced Beef) — recipe cover","tags":["beef","spicy","ethiopian","kitfo","high-protein","african-cuisine"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":5,"stepCount":4}]}