How to make the ONLY Ghanaian Cheese called Wagashi

Yes! Ghana has Cheese thanks to the Fulani’s.

The Fulani’s (from the Northern part of Ghana) first introduced Wagashi into Ghana.

Wagashi / Wara/ Woagachi is enjoyed in Nigeria, Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, Côte D’Ivoire etc

The Cheese is made from Cows milk and it’s  naturally delicate in taste when Salt is not added.

Traditionally hot fresh Milk is mixed with the pounded leaves of an Apple of Sodom Plant and Salt to make Wagashi.

The inclusion of the Apple Sodom Plant turns the Milk into Curd, which is then drained using a cheese cloth. The drained curd solidifies which then makes Wagashi.

In the absence of the Apple of Sodom plant, I’ve used distilled White Vinegar which mimics the traditional recipe to a ‘T’.

If you’ve tasted Halloumi before then you’ll love this as they share a similar taste.

INGREDIENTS

2.2 litres / 4 pints of Organic Whole Milk

118ml of distilled White Vinegar

2 tablespoonful of Salt

200ml of Vegetable oil for frying

TO SERVE

Serve the fried Wagashi with the West African Suya spice blend which will be available soon on BuyNdudu.

Watch how to make this incredible fried Cheese below;

Please don’t forget to subscribe, try the recipe, leave comments with your feedback and share.

All photos, recipes and videos are by the owner of this blog.

WAGASHI (GHANAIAN CHEESE) SALAD RECIPE

The Fulani’s (from the Northern part of Ghana) first introduced Wagashi into Ghana.

The Cheese is made from Cows milk and it’s naturally delicate in taste. 

Milk is mixed with the pounded bark of a Sodom Plant tree and Salt to make Wagashi.  The mixture is then drained and boiled till it solidifies. 

The Salt acts as a preservative and in some cases the cheese is soaked into a Millet leaf brine for a pinkish colour.

Unlike most Cheeses, Wagashi does not melt at high temperatures, however when fried it has a soft and fluffy texture.

Wagashi is popular and readily available in Nima (a suburb of Accra) which is inhabited my most Northerners of Ghana.

Wagashi can be fried or grilled, added to Stews, Soups , Jollof rice and Salads. 

It’s the only cheese made in Ghana and a must try. 

During my visit to Ghana, I couldn’t help but indulge in this Cheese including making this recipe. I hope you’re inspired to try it. This recipe omits Salt as the Cheese has a salty taste. 

INGREDIENTS

300g of Wagashi cheese or Indian Paneer

Groundnut oil

SALAD

200g of Green Salad leaves 

2 sliced Cucumbers 

1 thinly sliced Red or White Onion

1 teaspoonful of Chipotle chillies or any Chilli flakes.

SALAD DRESSING 

3 tablespoonfuls of Olive oil

1 teaspoonful of Honey

Pinch of milled Black Peppercorns 

METHOD 

Watch how to make this simple and equally delicious on my YouTube channel, ‘Ndudu by Fafa’. 

Don’t forget to like the video, leave comments with your feedback and share with your family and friends. 

All photos, recipes and videos are by the owner of this blog.