Kwacoco Bible and Canda Sauce
Thinking about the Kwacoco Bible brings me back to my Secondary School years at the Presbyterian Comprehensive Secondary School in Buea. This traditional dish, a specialty of the Bakwerians, custodians of Bakweri culinary knowledge, was a delightful part of my experience. Buea, the Capital city of the Southwest Region of Cameroon, is not only home to the Bakweri ethnic group but also Mount Cameroon, the tallest mountain in West Africa. The fertile volcanic soil in Buea is ideal for growing staple crops like cocoyam, a key ingredient in Kwacoco Bible.
Kwacoco Bible is a unique dish made by grating cocoyam, mixing it with smoked fish, palm oil, a green leafy vegetable, and indigenous spices, and then wrapping and cooking it in banana or plantain leaves.
There is a communal story that states that the word “Bible” in the nomenclature of the dish is derived from the one-pot cooking method where all the ingredients are mixed in one pot and cooked in a leave. According to this story , it is believed that Kwacoco Bible contains all the nutrients to nourish and sustain the body and it is relatable to the “Christian Bible” for its comprehensiveness of the scripture for the nourishment of the soul.
Kwacoco Bible is also called Endeley Bread in honor of the Bakweri Royal monarchy who internationalized the dish. History records that when he traveled for an international trip, he took along with him preserved Kwacoco Bible and ate it as bread for breakfast. Similarly, when he hosted visitors from foreign countries in his palace, he served them Kwacoco Bible for a cultural immersion experience.
A combination of Kwacoco Bible and Canda Sauce (Cow Skin) which is a staple street food delicacy, is also a perfect combination of culinary textures. The softness of the grated cocoyam, the crunchiness of the canda, and the rich flavors from indigenous spices promises a delightful culinary journey for your palate.
Cook along with me by clicking play below or scroll down to follow the recipe instructions.
Dish: Kwacoco Bible and Canda Sauce
Country: Cameroon
Diaspora Connection: Bakweri Ethnic Group
K W A C O C O B I B L E
Ingredients for Kwacoco Bible
a. Grated Makabo Cocoyam Paste (6 Large Makabo Cocoyams)
b. 2 Cups Palm Oil
c. ¼ Ib Smoked Fish (Herring)
d. 1 Cup Crayfish
e. 1 Tablespoon Black Pepper
f. 1 Country Onion/ Rondelles
g. 2 Habanero Peppers
h. 2 Cups Fresh Leafy Chopped Spinach
i. Bouillon or Maggi as Desired
j. Salt as Desired
Additional Items
k. Plantain or Banana Leaves
Aluminum Paper
Ingredients for Canda Sauce
1Ib Canda (Smoked Cow Skin)
1 Cup Cooking Oil
¼ Cup of Keng's Kitchen Green Spice Marinade
2 Cups Tomato Puree
2 Habanero Pepper
Salt and Bouillon
How to make Kwacoco Bible
Treat the plantain or banana leaves and set them aside.
Watch this video to learn how to treat your plantain or banana leaves.
2. Blend the habanero peppers, black pepper, and country onion and set aside.
3. In a large bowl, pour in the grated cocoyam paste, crayfish, salt, bouillon, the blended ingredients in step 2 and the smoked fish. Mix well.
4. Add the palm oil and the spinach then mix well so all the ingredients are well incorporated in the cocoyam paste.
5. To wrap the Kwacoco Bible, begin by placing the banana or plantain leaf on top of a sheet of aluminum paper. Proceed by placing some leaves to line the bottom of the pot.
6. Scoop a cup of the cocoyam paste and pour it on the leaf. Wrap the leaf by rolling while molding it at the same time to form into a cylinder shape. Fold the leaves by bending the edges inward to form a bundle. Place the bundle of wrapped Kwacoco in the pot and repeat the process until the cocoyam paste is finished.
7. Place the pot on the stove and add 4 cups of water. Cover the pot first with the leftover leaves or with aluminum paper then followed by the cover of the pot. This technique allows for the pot to retain steam which is needed to cook the Kwacoco.
8. Turn on the stove on medium heat and then cook for 3 hours. Continuously check the water level in the put and add more as needed until done
9. Turn off the stove and allow the put to cool.
How to make Canda Sauce
1. Place a skillet or pot on the stove and add cooking oil. Turn on the stove and allow the oil to heat up then pour in the tomato puree, green spice marinade, salt, and bouillon and then mix to combine. Cover the skillet or pot and allow it to cook on low heat for 20 minutes while stirring occasionally.
2. Add the cooked canda (Cow Skin) and the habanero pepper into the pot and stir very well. Cover the pot and allow it to simmer on low heat for 15 minutes then turn off the stove.
Serving the Kwacoco Bible and Canda Sauce
3. Peel off the cooked Kwacoco Bible from the leaves and place it on a plate then add the Canda Sauce on the side and enjoy with some palm wine or a drink of choice. Get teleported on the journey of rich culinary flavors to the city of Buea in Cameroon.
