Crispy Fish & Cornmeal Kenkey
Golden fried fish paired with steamed cornmeal cakes — a classic Ghanaian combo that's ready in 25 minutes. Serve with lime and hot pepper sauce for authentic flavor.
- Total time
- 25 min
- Servings
- 2
- Calories
- 520
- Protein
- 35g
Ingredients
- 1 cup cornmeal (fine or medium)
- 400 g white fish fillets (tilapia, mackerel, or snapper)
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 stalks scallions, chopped
- 1 whole hot pepper (Scotch bonnet or serrano), minced
- 1 whole lime
- ½ cup vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- 1
Mix cornmeal with 1.5 cups water, salt, scallions, and minced hot pepper in a bowl until smooth.
- 2
Pour mixture into a steamer pot lined with banana leaf or parchment. Cover and steam over boiling water for 15 minutes until firm.
- 3
While kenkey steams, pat fish fillets dry and season with salt and pepper on both sides.
- 4
Dredge fish lightly in flour, shaking off excess, then lay on a plate.
- 5
Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high until it shimmers, ~2 minutes. Sear fish 3 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
- 6
Unwrap kenkey onto a plate, top with fried fish, squeeze lime over everything, and serve hot.
Tools you’ll need
- medium mixing bowl
- steamer pot or large pot with steaming rack
- banana leaf or parchment paper
- 12-inch skillet
- spatula
- plate
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