Go Back
Print Pin
Cuisine West African
Keyword african ingredients, spices
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

Ghanaian all purpose seasoning

  • 2 tbsp Anise seeds
  • 1.5 tbsp Ginger powder
  • 1.5 tbsp Onion powder
  • 1.5 tsp Rosemary
  • 1 tsp alligator pepper efom wisa/grains of paradise
  • 1 tsp cloves
  • 6 calabash nutmegs hwediaba/ehuru
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tsp dried chillies
  • 2 tsp coriander seeds
  • 1.5 tsp cumin seeds
  • Salt to taste

West African Umami Seasoning

  • 2 tsp powder fermented locust beans iru/dawa dawa/soumbala
  • 1.5 tsp anise seeds
  • 1.5 tsp guinea cubeb esoro wisa/uziza seed
  • 1 tsp alligator pepper efom wisa
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1.5 tsp ginger powder
  • 3-4 small African bird's eye chillis mesua

Instructions

  • Measure out the spices for each spice blend
  • Grind in a coffee/spice grinder
  • Store in an air tight container

Notes

Substitutions
  1. Calabash nutmeg: Although listed as a nutmeg, it doesn't taste like nutmeg. Feel free to increase the quantity of cloves by 1/2 a tsp or completely omit
  2. Aligator Peppr: This pepper has a sharp and bright pepper flavor. Feel free to substitute with white or pink peppercorn
  3. Guinea Cubeb: Although it looks like a black peppercorn, it has a slightly different flavour, almost with a citrus undertone. Feel free to substitute with lemon pepper or black peppercorn with a dash of dried lemon powder
  4. Fermented Locust Beans/Dawa Dawa: Unfortunately this one is not substitutable, it has a unique smell and flavour. If you cannot find the powder and only find it frozen or dried,  feel free to give it a good rinse; dry it in a dehydrator, on your counter or in the oven at a low setting, then turn it into a powder.