Palava (Ghanaian Spinach Sauce)

For five people (quantities for ten are given below)

500g fresh mature spinach
or 200g frozen spinach
or 200g baby spinach
250ml water
4 tbsp butter or margarine
2 medium-sized onions, chopped
2 medium-sized tomatoes, chopped
2 small hard-boiled eggs, finely chopped
1 hot green chilli, seeded and finely chopped
100g cooked mince (e.g. beef or lamb)
250g fish (e.g. smoked haddock, mackerel or other smoked, or canned and
drained, fish)
¼ tsp paprika
salt and pepper
875g potatoes, mashed or boiled, to serve

Method

1. Discard the stems, wash and chop the fresh spinach. Place it in a pan with the water and simmer, stirring, for 1-2 minutes or until the spinach is tender. (If using frozen spinach, simmer in the water until it thaws). (If using baby spinach, simply wash it, add it to the pan and cook as above).
2. Remove the spinach from the heat and reserve it and the cooking water. (If using frozen spinach, remove it from the water, chop then return it to the water).
3. In a large pan melt the butter or margarine and sauté the chopped onions for 2-3 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, eggs and chilli for 10 minutes.
4. Add the minced meat and fish, breaking it up with a spoon. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Add the spinach, the reserved cooking water and paprika, stirring well. Simmer for 15 minutes and serve with mashed or boiled potatoes.

Each serving provides:
Kcal: 479
Protein: 26.8g
Fat: 31.6g (of which saturated fat 16.5g)
Carbohydrate: 24g (of which sugars 11.1g)
Fibre: 3.9g

Nutrition Points:

a) This dish contains a high amount of vitamin A.
b) This dish contains a medium amount of folate.
c) This dish contains a low amount of calcium and zinc.

Serving suggestions:

a) Instead of potatoes, serve this substantial, delicious sauce with rice, cous cous or polenta.
b) Try making the sauce with different types of fish and minced meat.

For ten people

1kg fresh mature spinach
or 400g frozen spinach
or 400g baby spinach
500ml water
8 tbsp (120g) butter or margarine
4 medium-sized onions, chopped
4 fresh tomatoes, chopped
4 small hard-boiled eggs, finely chopped
2 hot green chillies, seeded and finely chopped
200g cooked minced meat (e.g. beef or lamb)
500g fish (e.g. smoked haddock, mackerel or any other smoked, or canned and
drained, fish)
½ tsp paprika
salt and pepper
mashed or boiled potatoes, to serve

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