Recipes By Yewande Komolafe
149 recipes found
Crispy Yam Fries
Not to be confused with American sweet potatoes, West African yams are large, starchy root vegetables found at most West African, Caribbean or Latin American markets. Check the yams for freshness by pressing down on their skin before purchasing; the root should be firm with no soft spots. The brown skin peels off easily with a sharp knife or vegetable peeler to reveal a stark white flesh. These yams are larger, much starchier, denser and less fibrous than American yams or sweet potatoes. Crispy yam fries are a well-known Nigerian snack and side dish. They can be shallow-fried in oil or baked in the oven for a slightly healthier variation (see Tip). Serve fries warm with some obe ata or your favorite condiment on the side.
Caramelized Bananas With Pecan-Coconut Crunch
This cozy dessert comes together quickly and fills the kitchen with a sweet, buttery aroma. The textures play well together: The spiced caramel is silky but robust, the bananas tender, and the pecan-and-coconut topping crunchy and crisp. Pick ripe but firm bananas so they’ll maintain their shape after cooking. (The bananas should be yellow with no black spots; green bananas won’t work.) Broil them until sizzling, then allow the bubbling caramel to cool and thicken a bit before serving. Devoured directly out of the skillet, or spooned into individual servings, these caramelized bananas are a lovely way to end a meal. Top with a scoop of ice cream for a cool contrast to the warm dessert.
Brandied Dried Fruit
The complex layers of flavor that develop from combining dried fruit, citrus, spices and brandy are the reward for an investment of time. And time does most of the work in this recipe, which produces brandied fruit that you can use in an array of dishes and drinks: A two-day soak will get you a fine infusion, but go for the full 14 to extract notes from each component. The spices need time to bloom, and the dried fruit skins plump as they are infused, absorbing the citrus’s bite and the brandy’s warmth. Use the fruit mixture in scones, cocktails and braised lamb. Or stir the drained fruit into muffin or cake batter, toss with bulkier fruit like apples or pears for use as a filling for hand pies, or serve as a relish to accompany lamb, pork or chicken. As an added bonus, the fruit mixture keeps in the refrigerator for months. Store in an airtight container and avoid adding any moisture to the jar by using only dry utensils to serve.
Focaccia With Herbed-Honey Plums and Prosciutto
Featuring a combination of tart plums, sweet honey and salty prosciutto, this focaccia is delicious as a snack or appetizer and also as a light lunch when paired with a salad. Go with fresh, ripe but firm plums as they will soften once baked. The herb of choice is rosemary, but any fragrant, woodsy herbs, such as thyme, marjoram or oregano work well, too. Letting the dough ferment slowly in the refrigerator builds more flavor. The dough can be refrigerated up to 3 days in advance of baking.
Fig Jam With Rosemary
Ripe figs lend their subtle sweetness to this chunky jam. Lemons add a necessary sparkle, and fresh rosemary balances the tanginess. You can substitute other woodsy herbs, such as thyme, marjoram or oregano, or add spices, such as black pepper, but additional seasonings should complement rather than overpower the figs. This jam involves little preparation but yields tasty results: Use it as a spread for warm toast, to serve alongside salty cheese or as a topping for meat dishes.