GHANA RECIPES (OMO TUO)

Omo tuo is a Ghanaian staple food made with rice. The rice is usually cooked with more water than usual to make it softer. It is then beaten a little to make it smooth, and shaped into sizable balls . It's english designation is thus "Rice Balls". It is usually served with tasty soup, made of groundnut or palm nuts. It's a Ghanaian delicacy, enjoyed by all people groups, most notably Akans, who coined its name.

Ingredient

1 cup white rice (you can use long-grain, but not precooked)
4 cups of water                                  

½ teaspoon salt (optional)
How to prepared Rice Balls (Omo Tuo)

-  Bring the rice, water and salt (if using) to a boil in a large heavy pot (or a rice cooker)

- Turn down the heat to low, cover, and allow the rice to cook for about 20 minutes. You may have to take off the lid and let it cook down another 5-10 minutes.

- When the rice is cooked (but not too dry), turn off the heat and let it sit until it is cool enough to handle.

- Using a potato masher, a strong wooden spoon, a heavy glass, or something similar, mash the rice until it is fairly smooth. (If you have a wonderful wooden masher from Ghana, lucky you! It's easy to hold and use.)

- Fill a cup with cold water and put it next to the pan.

-Wet hands or dip an ice cream scoop or spoon into the water, then scoop up enough of the rice to shape into a ball, like a snowball. If the balls will not stick together, put the rice back on the stove to dry it out slightly.

To accompany a main dish soup, a cup of rice makes about 6-8 rice balls, depending on the size.

To serve in place of rolls as a first course, say, with groundnut or light soup, you can use a small spoon or melon baller (dipped in water first) to scoop out the rice and then shape tiny balls.  Serve 2 or 3 in each bowl of soup. Rice balls can be made ahead of time and warmed in the oven or microwave just before serving.

NOTE: It's also possible to make this using a rice cooker: just add everything, but use at least a cup less water, and turn off the cooker when the rice is cooked and most of the water is gone. Also, it is possible to make these using brown rice, though I've never had them that way in Ghana.  Brown rice balls are somewhat heavier. Just use less water, and allow more cooking time.