The First Red of RED-RED

a slit along the length is the beginning of the process of peeling

It is safe to say that the most favourite of Ghanaian boarding school meals is the dish known as Red-Red. Mostly it was eaten once or twice a week for lunch and for those of us raised on boarding school sub-fare, Red-Red topped the list.

What is Red Red?

The first Red of Red-Red is black-eyed beans cooked in a sauce made with red palm-oil.
The second Red is fried ripe plantain.

Here in Ontario I make my bean sauce in this manner and I must say it tastes good. I find all my stuff in Zehrs Markets or Ultra Markets.

Shop easy, no fuss:
buy vegetable oil
and two cans of black beans
and a medium to large onion.
One jar of pasta sauce:
tomato and basil, or roasted red pepper
a good sized piece of frozen smoked salmon
the kind that's dyed red


Protect your eyes,
with Jackie O darks
as you peel and cut
your medium to large onion
then prepare to fry
In a half cup of oil
in a 3 quart sauce pan...
pour in the jar of pasta sauce
add cayenne pepper to taste- one teaspoon +/-
and Knorr's vegetable stock-2 heaped teaspoons

Simmer for five minutes
on medium heat
then add the two cans of black beans to the mix
On low to medium heat simmer for five minutes
Add pieces of smoked salmon
for a taste to remember

Serve this bean sauce with fried ripe plantains and/or gari or rice.