Cameroonian Mpuh Fish - Mackerel Coated in Plantain Pudding
Mpuh Fish is a traditional dish of the Bafaw and Bakossi ethnic groups in the Meme and Koupé-Manengouba Divisions in the Southwest Region of Cameroon. Mpuh Fish is a one-pot dish made using fresh fish that’s seasoned with Mpuh Fish Spice Mix. Mpuh Fish is commonly served with a side of boiled plantains. We used to chuckle about how Mpuh Fish is like “eating plantains with plantains” (as the spice mix is made with powdered plantains and the dish is served with boiled plantains). This truth commonly known in the community gained traction in Cameroon and is now a statement often made to refer to the Mpuh Fish dish.
Although it seems like two plantain based dishes served on one plate, you will experience each variation in a completely different way. The chemistry behind the Mpuh Fish process creates such a pleasant taste and texture that you simply have to experience it for yourself.
Click play on the video below to cook along with me or scroll past the video to follow the written instructions.
Dish: Mpuh Fish
Country: Cameroon
Geographic Location: Southwest Region
Ethnic Groups: Bafaw and Bakossi
Diaspora Connection: Bafaw Cultural & Development Association,
Bakossi Cultural & Development Association
M P U H F I S H R E C I P E
Ingredients
a. 5 Large Mackerel or a Fresh Fish of Choice
b. 4 Cups Mpuh Fish Spice Mix
c. 2 Large Habanero Peppers
d. 1 Cup Cooking Oil
e. Bouillon and Salt to Taste
Preparation
1. Cut the fish into desired pieces and season it with half your desired quantity of salt and bouillon. Set aside in the refrigerator for one hour or overnight for a more impactful taste.
2. Add the remaining salt and bouillon into the Mpuh Fish spice mix and mix well.
Add remaining salt and boullion.
3. Coat the fish with the Mpuh Fish spice mix. Make sure each piece is heavily coated with the Mpuh Fish Spice Mix. Set aside the remaining spice mix for a later use.
4. Place the coated pieces of fish into a pot then cover the pot with aluminum foil.
5. Create a Do-it-Yourself double boiler by placing the pot of fish inside of a larger pot. Add enough hot water in the bigger pot to immediately start the cooking process.
Note: This DIY double boiler method will prevent your Mpuh Fish from burning when cooking. Mpuh fish is a dish that is thickened through steam cooking. Adding water directly to your Mpuh Fish and boiling it instead of steaming it will give you a different consistency. For the desired thick consistency in this recipe, I use the double boiler method.
6. Cover the bigger pot and cook the fish on medium heat so that the Mpuh Fish spice mix will stick onto the fish.
7. In a separate bowl, add about 7 cups of water into the remaining spice mix and mix well to achieve a creamy texture
Mix Mpuh Fish Spice Mix and water until creamy.
8. Mash habanero peppers to a semi-fine pulp.
Mash habanero peppers.
9. Add in the mashed habanero peppers into the mixture of the remaining spice mix and the water.
10. Pour the mixture into the pot with the fish and stir gently. Adjust the seasonings if needed.
11. Allow the pot to cook on medium heat until the fish is fully done and the sauce becomes very thick.
12. Add the cooking oil and gently stir the pot for the oil to spread evenly.
Add cooking oil.
13. Allow the pot to simmer for about 10 minutes and serve the delicious Mpuh Fish with boiled unripe plantains.
