Chichinga, also known as kebabs or skewers, is a popular street food in Ghana. It’s typically made with marinated and grilled meat, often beef or chicken, along with vegetables and sometimes sausages. Here’s a basic recipe for preparing chichinga:
Ingredients:
For the Marinade:
- 1 pound (450g) beef or chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons groundnut (peanut) butter
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Skewers:
- Wooden skewers, soaked in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning
- Vegetables of your choice (bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, etc.)
- Sausages (optional)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Marinade:
- In a bowl, combine the vegetable oil, groundnut butter, tomato paste, chopped onion, minced garlic, ground ginger, paprika, cayenne pepper, ground cumin, ground coriander, salt, and pepper. Mix well to form a smooth marinade.
- Marinate the Meat:
- Place the bite-sized pieces of meat into the marinade, ensuring they are well coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight for the best flavor.
- Prepare the Skewers:
- While the meat is marinating, prepare the skewers. Thread the marinated meat onto the soaked wooden skewers, alternating with pieces of vegetables and sausages if desired. This creates a colorful and flavorful mix.
- Grill the Chichinga:
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. If you don’t have a grill, you can also cook these on a barbecue or even in the oven.
- Place the skewers on the grill and cook for about 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, or until the meat is cooked to your desired level of doneness and has a nice charred appearance.
- Serve:
- Remove the chichinga from the grill and serve hot. You can serve it with extra marinade as a dipping sauce, and it’s often enjoyed with some Ghanaian shito sauce (a spicy black pepper sauce) on the side.
Chichinga is a delicious and flavorful Ghanaian street food that can be customized to your taste by adjusting the level of spiciness and the choice of vegetables and meats. Enjoy!