Banku with Grilled Tilapia

Ingredients

• 2 cups (400g) cornmeal 2 cups (400g) cornmeal
• 1 cup (200g) cassava dough 1 cup (200g) cassava dough
• 1 whole tilapia, cleaned and scaled 1 whole tilapia, cleaned and scaled
• 2 tablespoons ginger paste 2 tablespoons ginger paste
• 2 tablespoons garlic paste 2 tablespoons garlic paste
• 1 tablespoon chili powder 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• Fresh vegetables (such as tomatoes, onions, and lettuce) for serving Fresh vegetables (such as tomatoes, onions, and lettuce) for serving
• Spicy pepper sauce for serving Spicy pepper sauce for serving

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 8g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 55g, 2g
• Protein: 20g
• Fiber: 6g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large bowl, mix the cornmeal and cassava dough together.
2. 2.
   Add water gradually to the mixture and knead until a smooth dough is formed.
3. 3.
   Cover the dough and let it ferment for 2-3 days in a warm place.
4. 4.
   After fermentation, bring a large pot of water to a boil.
5. 5.
   Take a handful of the fermented dough and shape it into a ball. Flatten the ball slightly to form a disc-like shape.
6. 6.
   Gently drop the Banku discs into the boiling water and cook for about 30 minutes or until they become firm and elastic.
7. 7.
   While the Banku is cooking, prepare the marinade for the tilapia. In a bowl, mix together ginger paste, garlic paste, chili powder, and salt.
8. 8.
   Rub the marinade all over the tilapia, making sure to coat it evenly.
9. 9.
   Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates.
10. 10.
    Grill the marinated tilapia for about 5-7 minutes on each side or until it is cooked through and has a slightly charred appearance.
11. 11.
    Serve the Banku with the grilled tilapia, accompanied by fresh vegetables and spicy pepper sauce.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Cornmeal — Make sure to use finely ground cornmeal for a smoother texture in the Banku.
• Tilapia — Choose fresh tilapia with clear eyes and a mild aroma for the best flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• To enhance the flavor of the Banku, you can add a small amount of palm oil to the dough before fermentation.
• If you don't have access to a grill, you can also pan-fry the tilapia in a lightly oiled skillet.
• Adjust the amount of chili powder in the marinade according to your spice preference.

Serving advice

Serve the Banku with Grilled Tilapia hot, accompanied by a side of spicy pepper sauce and a variety of fresh vegetables. The dish is traditionally eaten with your hands, tearing off pieces of Banku and using them to scoop up the grilled tilapia and sauce.

Presentation advice

Arrange the grilled tilapia on a platter, garnished with fresh herbs and lemon wedges. Serve the Banku in a separate bowl or on individual plates, allowing guests to assemble their own bites.