Abenkwan (Ghanaian Palm Nut Soup)
In short: A thick, glossy orange soup of palm nut pulp simmered with chicken, smoked fish, tomato, ginger and scotch bonnet, served with fufu or rice balls. It takes about 1 h 35 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 1 h 15 min
- Total
- 1 h 35 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 440 kcal
Abenkwan is the palm nut soup of the Akan people of Ghana, cooked for Sundays, funerals and family gatherings. Pulp from the palm fruit gives it a deep orange color, a silky body and an earthy, slightly nutty taste. Chicken, goat or beef simmers in it with smoked fish, tomatoes, onion and scotch bonnet, and the soup is ready when red oil floats on top. Canned palm nut concentrate saves hours of pounding and straining.
Instructions
- Blend the roughly cut onion with the tomatoes, garlic, ginger, scotch bonnet and 250 ml (1 cup) of the water until smooth.
- Put the chicken, chopped onion, blended mixture, 500 ml (2 cups) water, salt and black pepper in a large pot. Bring to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Whisk the palm nut concentrate with 500 ml (2 cups) hot water until smooth and pour it into the pot along with the remaining 250 ml (1 cup) water.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer partly covered for 30 minutes, stirring now and then, until the soup is thick and the chicken is tender.
- Add the smoked fish and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, until red oil floats on top and the chicken is cooked through (74°C / 165°F).
- Taste and adjust the salt, remembering that smoked fish is salty. Serve hot with fufu or rice balls.
Tips
- Look for palm nut concentrate (also sold as palm nut cream or pulp) at African grocers. Plain palm oil is not a substitute, because the soup would lack body.
- Smoked fish can be very salty. Rinse it in warm water, pick out the bones and taste the soup before adding more salt.
Questions and answers
What is abenkwan served with?
Fufu and omo tuo (rice balls) are the usual partners. Boiled yam or plantain also work.
Can I make abenkwan without smoked fish?
Yes. Use extra chicken or goat and add a bouillon cube for depth, though the soup will lose its smoky background.
How long does palm nut soup keep?
Up to 4 days in the fridge and 3 months in the freezer. The oil sets on top when cold, so stir it back in as you reheat.
How long does it take to make Abenkwan (Ghanaian Palm Nut Soup)?
About 1 h 35 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 1 h 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Abenkwan (Ghanaian Palm Nut Soup)?
About 440 kcal per serving, with 26 g of protein, 15 g of carbohydrates and 28 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 440 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 26 g |
| Carbohydrates | 15 g |
| Fat | 28 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 7 g |
| Sodium | 900 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
