How to make Ghanaian Akotonshi
The crab mixed with an array of spices, tomato and bread crumbs is simply delicious.
Made by stuffing up crabs, Akotonshi is a delicious dish that is associated with feasting in Ghana.
Cooking time
45 minutes
Recipe category
Main Dish
Recipe cuisine
Ghanaian Dish
Cooking method
Boiling
Recipe Yield
3 servings
Ingredients
2 large Whole crabs or cooked crab meat
1 large fresh ginger
2 tbsp Cooking oil
1 large Onion minced
1 tsp ginger ground
2 large tomatoes finely chopped
1 tbsp Tomato paste
1 large green bell peppers finely chopped
1 tsp Paprika
1 tsp Ground nutmeg
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp Cloves ground
1 tsp dried thyme leaves
1 tsp Grains of paradise, ground to a powder (Optional)
2 medium Minced African bird peppers (use hot Thai peppers if unavailable),
1/2 cup Dried shrimp
Plain bread crumbs
Parsley
Salt
Instructions
- If using whole crabs, clean them and bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Add in the ginger, cloves and the crab, cook for 15 minutes. Remove crabs and meat, keep shells for plating.
- If using crab meat, Mix crab meat with ¼ cup water that has been boiled with the ginger piece and cloves for 15 minutes. Drain water, flake the meat and set aside.
- In a heavy pot, heat oil to medium temperature and add other ingredients in the following sequence, stirring for a minute or so between each: onions, ground ginger, tomatoes, tomato paste, green pepper, cumin, nutmeg, thyme, grains of paradise, paprika, mashed peppers, and dried shrimp.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 4 – 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until vegetables are cooked.
- Add crab meat and stir another couple of minutes to heat it through. Then spoon the mixture into clean crab shells or ramekins (small individual baking dishes).
- Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top of each crab and toast under an oven broiler, being careful not to let the crumbs scorch.
Your Akotonshi is ready! Garnish with parsley.