West African Bunny Chow

Ingredients

In this West African adaptation of Bunny Chow, we replace the traditional South African curry with a flavorful plantain stew. The spices used in the stew are typical of West African cuisine, such as ginger, garlic, and chili peppers. Additionally, we incorporate local vegetables and ingredients commonly found in West Africa to enhance the authentic flavors of the dish. We alse have the original recipe for Bunny Chow, so you can check it out.

• 2 ripe plantains, peeled and diced 2 ripe plantains, peeled and diced
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, grated 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, grated
• 2 tomatoes, diced 2 tomatoes, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 scotch bonnet pepper, finely chopped 1 scotch bonnet pepper, finely chopped
• 2 cups (470ml) vegetable broth 2 cups (470ml) vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish) Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
• 4 bread loaves, hollowed out 4 bread loaves, hollowed out

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 2g, 0g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 80g, 40g
• Protein: 5g
• Fiber: 8g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, and ginger. Sauté until the onions are translucent.
2. 2.
   Add the diced tomatoes, bell pepper, and scotch bonnet pepper to the pot. Cook for 5 minutes, until the vegetables soften.
3. 3.
   Stir in the ground turmeric, coriander, cumin, and paprika. Cook for another minute to toast the spices.
4. 4.
   Add the diced plantains and vegetable broth to the pot. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until the plantains are tender.
5. 5.
   While the stew is simmering, hollow out the bread loaves by removing the center, leaving a bread bowl.
6. 6.
   Once the stew is ready, ladle it into the hollowed-out bread loaves. Garnish with fresh cilantro.
7. 7.
   Serve the West African Bunny Chow immediately, allowing the bread to soak up the flavors of the stew.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Plantains — Choose ripe plantains with yellow skin and some black spots. They should be firm but not overly ripe to maintain their shape during cooking.

Tips & Tricks

• If you prefer a spicier stew, add more scotch bonnet pepper or include some chili powder.
• You can add other vegetables like carrots or spinach to the stew for added nutrition and flavor.
• Serve the Bunny Chow with a side of tangy tomato and onion salad for a refreshing contrast.

Serving advice

Serve the West African Bunny Chow as a complete meal on its own. The bread bowl makes it easy to enjoy the stew while adding a unique touch to the presentation.

Presentation advice

For an appealing presentation, sprinkle some chopped fresh cilantro on top of the stew. You can also serve the Bunny Chow with the bread lid placed slightly askew to showcase the vibrant colors of the stew.