Fufu Recipes

FUFU

Steps:

• Bring 6 cups of water to a rapid boil in a large, heavy pot.
• Combine the two ingredients and add to the water.
• Stir constantly for 10-15 minutes - a process that needs two people for best results: one to hold the pot while the other stirs vigorously with a strong implement (such as a thick wooden spoon). The mixture will become very thick and difficult to stir, but unless you are both vigilant and energetic, you'll get a lumpy mess.
• When the fufu is ready (or you've stirred to the limits of your endurance), dump about a cup of the mixture into a wet bowl and shake until it forms itself into a smooth ball.
• Serve on a large platter alongside a soup or stew.

FUFU

Steps:

• Place the cassava and plantains (with peels on) into a large pot, and fill with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, and cook until cassava is soft, about 30 minutes; drain. Remove and discard peels from plantains, and return them to the pot. Mash with butter, then beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Use as much butter as needed to get the mixture moist enough to blend.

FUFU (SWALLOWS)

Steps:

• Pour 3 cups of water into a medium pot and make a slurry by stirring in the flour all at once with a wooden spoon. Set the pot over medium-low heat. Cook the batter, stirring continuously as it thickens and begins to form a dough, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Reduce the heat to low and fold the batter over itself, smoothing out any lumps as you fold. You should have a thick and chalky-looking dough at this point. Continue to cook while folding until the dough begins to stiffen and pull away from the sides of the pot, and a thin film forms on the bottom, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Spread the dough across the bottom of the pot, then use the wooden spoon to poke a few deep indents on the surface. Pour 1/4 cup of water around the edges and over the top of the dough.
• Cover and cook without stirring until the dough is heated through, translucent and all the starchy granules have absorbed the water, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Remove the lid and mix until a smooth, slightly glossy and sticky dough forms. If the dough is too firm, you can add up to 1/4 cup additional water. It should be soft and somewhat pliable, but not runny. Remove from heat, cover and let sit to set and cool slightly, at least 5 minutes and up to 15 minutes.
• Form the mixture into spheres to serve: Fill a bowl with water and dip a large serving spoon to wet it, then scoop the dough. Press the scooped dough in the spoon against the side of the pot to shape the dough into a round, then transfer to a shallow bowl. Repeat with the remaining dough to form 2 to 3 more spheres, dipping the spoon into the water before each scoop. Fufu and swallows are typically served with a vegetable soup, such as efo riro, egusi soup or okra soup, and topped with any stewed meats.

CARIBBEAN FUFU RECIPE

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Carefully peel the yams; their slippery quality can make them hard to peel.
• Cut the peeled yams into 2-inch chunks and place them in a large pot of well salted water. The water should cover the yams by about 2-inches.
• Bring the yams to a boil over high heat. Keep a rapid boil until the yams are just turning soft, about 20 minutes.
• Drain the yams, reserving 2 cups of the cooking water. Allow the yams to cool.
• Place the cooled yams in a large bowl along with salt and pepper to taste, and the olive oil.
• Mash and mix the ingredients using a potato masher. The mixture will be uneven and lumpy.
• Place the fufu mixture in a food processor or blender. Pulse briefly at low speed to remove any lumps but do not puree.
• Place the yam mixture back in the bowl and beat it with a wooden spoon until it becomes smooth. The mixture should become sticky and slightly elastic. It's perfectly fine to use your hands to get it to the desired texture. Add some of the reserved water, starting with 1/4 cup, and work the dough. You might need to add more water, but it depends on how moist the yams were to begin with. Keep working and adding water until you have a springy dough that comes away from the bowl, is pliable, and is easily shaped.
• Shape the fufu into balls of equal size and serve as an accompaniment to your favorite soup or stew.

FUFU

Steps:

• Cut the ends off the plantains and discard. Slice each plantain into 2-inch chunks and score the skins with a knife along one edge. (Do not remove the peel.) Combine the plantains with the chicken stock in a large pot. Bring to a boil, then lower heat, cover and simmer until tender.
• Cut the pork into approximately 1-inch cubes. Season with salt, and place in a large sauce pan. Add enough water to just barely cover the pork. Bring to a boil and simmer, uncovered, until all of the water has boiled away and the pork begins to fry in the rendered fat. Continue to cook just until brown but not crispy. (The meat should be tender and stringy.)
• Remove the fully cooked plantains from the broth, reserving the broth. Peel the plantains. Mash the plantains with a little of the broth, just enough to make a soft paste, like mashed potatoes.
• Mash together the plantains, garlic and lemon juice. Mix in the pork and half of the bacon. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish the top with the remaining bacon and green onions and serve hot.