Waakye
Ghana · Africa
Waakye (pronounced "waa-che") is a beloved Ghanaian street food made by cooking rice and black-eyed beans together with dried millet or sorghum leaves, which give the dish its signature reddish-brown colour. Sold at roadside stalls from the early morning, it is a comforting, nutritious dish served with an array of accompaniments.
Ingredients
- 2 cups parboiled rice
- 1 cup black-eyed beans
- 6–8 dried waakye leaves (millet or sorghum leaves)
- Salt to taste
- Water as needed
Instructions
- 1
Sort and wash the black-eyed beans, then soak in cold water for 30 minutes.
- 2
Drain the beans and place in a large pot. Cover with fresh water and bring to a boil.
- 3
Cook the beans for 20 minutes until partly tender.
- 4
Add the dried waakye leaves to the pot and continue boiling for 5 minutes — they will colour the water.
- 5
Wash the rice and add it to the pot. Top up with enough water to cover by about 2 cm.
- 6
Add salt, stir once, and cover. Cook on medium-low heat for 25–30 minutes until both rice and beans are soft and the water is absorbed.
- 7
Remove the waakye leaves. Fluff gently and serve.
Chef's Tips
Serve with tomato stew, boiled eggs, fried fish, spaghetti, gari, and shito (black pepper sauce). Waakye leaves can be found at African grocery stores or online — they are what give the dish its distinctive colour.
Where to Buy Ingredients
Find the ingredients you need at these stores:
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