Palaver sauce facts for kids
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Ghanaian palaver sauce
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| Alternative names | Palava sauce |
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| Type | Stew |
Palaver sauce, also known as palava sauce or plasas, is a tasty stew enjoyed by many people in West Africa. You can find it in countries like Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria.
The word palaver comes from the Portuguese language. It means a long talk, a big discussion, or even a small argument. It's not clear why this stew got its name. One idea is that the different spices in the stew mix together, just like many voices in a conversation. Some people even believe this stew can help calm disagreements, or sometimes even start them!
This stew has many other names too. People might call it kontonmire, kentumere, nkontommire, or pla'sas.
Contents
What's in Palaver Sauce?
Palaver sauce can be made in different ways, depending on the region. It often includes different kinds of meat like beef, or seafood like fish and shrimp.
Many recipes use special ingredients like pumpkin seeds (called egusi) and cassava. It also often features leaves from plants like taro (cocoyam) and is cooked with palm oil.
In Liberia, the leaves used for this stew are called molokhia or mulukhiyah leaves. If you are outside of Africa, spinach is often used instead of these traditional greens.
How to Enjoy Palaver Sauce
Palaver sauce is usually served with starchy foods that help soak up its rich flavors. Some common side dishes include:
Making Palaver Sauce: A Simple Recipe
Making palaver sauce involves a few simple steps. It's a dish that brings many flavors together!
Preparing the Meat and Fish
First, the meat is cut into small pieces. These pieces are then fried in palm oil in a cooking pot. After the meat is browned, chopped onions, pepper, and chili are added to the pot.
Next, dried or smoked fish is added. This fish is usually softened with water and cut into chunks before going into the stew.
Adding Vegetables and Spices
After the meat and fish, various vegetables are sliced and added to the pot. These can include:
Finally, water is poured into the pot to help everything cook. Spices are also added to give the stew its delicious taste.
Cooking and Serving
The mixture is then cooked slowly over low heat. It stays on the stove until all the ingredients are cooked through and most of the water has evaporated. The sauce becomes thick and flavorful.
Palaver sauce is traditionally served hot with plain white rice. It's a hearty and satisfying meal enjoyed by many!
See also
In Spanish: Salsa palaver para niños
