SIERRA LEONE: Pepe Grilled Chicken, Air Fried Plantains, and Cucumber Salad

Once again, a simple summer marinade with a unique flavor profile. Sweet, smokey, and spicy.

Pepe Grilled Chicken

8 bone-in chicken thighs

1 medium yellow onions

3 garlic cloves

1 large tomato, such as beefsteak

2 lemongrass stalks

2-3 scotch bonnet chillies, to taste

2 tablespoons freshly ground ginger

1 tablespoon tomato paste

2 tablespoons unsalted, natural peanut butter (creamy or chunky) OR ¼ cup peanuts

1 Maggi or Knorr chicken bouillon cube

1 teaspoon paprika

1 lemon

1. Roughly chop the onions and place in a large food processor or blender. Peel the garlic, core and roughly chop the tomato, slice the lemongrass whites, and stem the chilis. Add them to the processor or blender. Process or blend until fully incorporated.

2. Add in the ginger, tomato paste, peanut butter, bouillon cube, paprika, and juice from the lemon. Process or blend again.

3. Remove marinade to a non reactive dish or Ziplock. Place chicken in and place in fridge for 2 hours to overnight.

4. To grill, turn your grill to high heat. Once tit is preheated, place the chicken  skin side down on the grill, close lid, turn heat to medium, and grill for 8-10 minutes, watching for smoke. Flip the chicken so that it is skin-side up, and the skin is nicely charred, and grill for another 10 minutes, until chicken is cooked through.

5. To roast: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place the chicken skin side up in a baking dish, keeping some of the marinade back to brush on halfway through cooking. Roast for 20 minutes. Brush the remaining marinade over the chicken and turn the oven up to 375°F.  Bake for another 15 minutes, until chicken is cooked through.

Air-Fried Plantains

2 large ripe plantains, ideally almost black

1–2 tablespoons cooking oil (avocado, coconut, or vegetable oil

½ teaspoon salt

1. Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and let it preheat for 3–5 minutes

2. Cut off the ends of the plantains. Use a sharp paring knife to slice through the skin lengthwise (don't cut into the flesh), peel the skin off, and cut the plantain into angled rounds.

3. Place the plantain pieces into a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with the oil and toss gently until they are evenly coated. Sprinkle with salt.

4. Place the plantains in the air fryer basket. Ensure they are spread out in a single layer so they don't overlap, which helps them crisp up evenly. Cook for 10–15 minutes. Pause every 4–5 minutes to shake the basket or flip the plantains so all sides turn golden brown.

Cucumber Salad

4 Persian cucumbers

¼ teaspoon salt

½ small red onion

1 lime

2 tablespoons canola oil

sprinkle (small pinch crumbled) of Maggi or Knorr chicken bouillon cube

1. Slice the cucumbers and sprinkle with salt.Thinly slice the onion and cover with cold water. Set both aside for 10 minutes.

2. Mix the juice from the lime, the oil, and the bouillon powder together.

3. Drain the onions. Add them to the cucumbers. Toss with the dressing and serve.

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FUN FACTS:

• Sierra Leone's capital city, Freetown, was founded in 1792 specifically as a sanctuary and haven for liberated and freed slaves returning from Britain and North America.

• Sierra Leone has incredibly rich mineral deposits, including gold, bauxite, and rutile. In 1972, miners found the "Star of Sierra Leone," the largest alluvial diamond in the world.

• Rice makes up such a significant part of the diet in Sierra Leone that it is common for locals to note, “If I haven’t eaten rice today, then I haven’t eaten!” Which, I guess, means even after this meal, I haven't eaten.