Ackee and Tofuish with Fried Dumplings and Plantain

The Vegan Larder

This is a vegan take on Jamaica’s national dish. Full of colour and bursting with flavour, the dish includes peppers and spring onions, with chickpeas and tofu which are full of protein, and of course the fruit ackee. Deliciously served up with plantain (a big savoury banana) and fried or boiled dumplings.

This recipe serves 4.

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Ingredients

For the Ackee and Tofuish:
2 tbsp olive oil
1 bunch spring onions also known as scallions
3 cloves garlic, crushed
2 bell peppers, sliced any colour but red and green look the best
1 scotch bonnet pepper, chopped finely optional if you don’t like too much spice
2 tsp allspice
3 sprigs fresh thyme
1/2 tsp black pepper
3 tsp salt
1 tin chickpeas, drained
200 g firm tofu
1 tin ackee, drained
Extra water, if needed
1-2 yellow plantain, for serving or banana if plantain isn’t available
For the Dumplings:
1 cup self-raising flour
1/4 cup polenta also known as Jamaican porridge
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tsp allspice
1-2 tbsp water
Handful sultanas (optional)
Sunflower oil, for deep frying (optional)

This recipe serves 4.

Preparation

ACKEE AND TOFUISH

Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan. Once hot, add the onions and fry until translucent.
Add the spring onions, garlic, bell peppers, allspice, fresh thyme, salt, pepper and scotch bonnet (if using). Cook for 5-10 minutes on a medium heat.
Add the chickpeas and cook for another couple of minutes. Then crumble the block of tofu into the mix. Cooke for a further 5 minutes.
Lastly, add the ackee. Ackee can break up easily so stir gently to keep the form of most of the beautiful pieces.
If the dish is looking a bit dry, you can add a dash of extra water, or oil.
In a separate pan slice up some plantain and fry in olive oil until a bit brown and cooked through. Alternatively place slices on a baking tray with a little oil and bake for 20 minutes.

DUMPLINGS

Sieve the self-raising flour and polenta into a large mixing bowl.
Add the salt, pepper and allspice, and mix in. Add the sultanas (if using).
Slowly add the water bit by bit, mixing in with your fingers until you get a smooth dough. You may not need all the water, as you don’t want a dough that is too sticky.
Knead the dough. Then break dough up and roll into golf ball sized pieces.
If deep frying, heat sunflower oil in a large pan. Test it is hot enough by dropping a small piece of dough in – if it is hot enough it will sizzle. Drop the balls into the oil to cook for a several minutes, flipping over half way so they are cooked all over. To make sure they are cooked, stick a fork through them and it should come out clean. Alternatively, for a healthier option, boil the dough in water for 15 minutes.