How to Make Tom Brown Ghanaian Food (Recipe)

Tom Brown is a tasty and nutritious breakfast dish that’s quite popular in Ghana, a country in West Africa. It’s like a warm and comforting porridge that’s made from two main ingredients: roasted millet and peanuts. These ingredients are ground into a fine powder, mixed with water, and cooked to create a thick, creamy porridge.

Here’s a simple way to understand how it’s made:

  1. Roasting: First, millet (a type of grain) and peanuts (nuts) are roasted separately in a pan until they turn a lovely golden-brown color. Roasting brings out their flavors and gives the dish a delightful aroma.
  2. Blending: After roasting, the millet and peanuts are cooled and then ground into a fine powder using a blender or food processor. This powder is the heart of Tom Brown.
  3. Cooking: To prepare the porridge, you mix this powder with water and cook it on the stove. As it cooks, it thickens into a creamy, porridge-like consistency.
  4. Optional Additions: Some people like to make their Tom Brown even more special by adding powdered milk or soy milk for creaminess and a bit of sugar or honey to sweeten it up.
  5. Serving: Once it’s ready, Tom Brown is served hot in a bowl. It’s a filling and wholesome breakfast that provides energy and nutrients to kickstart your day.

Ingredients

1 cup millet
1/4 cup peanuts
2-3 tablespoons powdered milk or soy milk powder (optional)
Sugar or honey to taste
Water

Instructions

  1. Roast the Millet:
  • Heat a dry frying pan or skillet over medium heat.
  • Add the millet and roast it, stirring constantly, until it turns golden brown. This can take about 10-15 minutes. Be careful not to burn it; you want a nice, toasty aroma.
  • Remove the roasted millet from the heat and let it cool.
  1. Roast the Peanuts:
  • In the same pan, roast the peanuts until they become fragrant and start to brown slightly. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Keep stirring to prevent burning.
  • Remove the peanuts from the heat and let them cool.
  1. Grind the Millet and Peanuts:
  • Once the millet and peanuts are cool, transfer them to a blender or food processor.
  • Grind them into a fine powder. You may need to do this in batches, depending on the size of your blender or food processor.
  1. Cook the Tom Brown:
  • In a saucepan, add 2-3 cups of water and bring it to a boil.
  • Gradually whisk in the millet and peanut powder, stirring continuously to avoid lumps. You can start with about 1/2 cup of the powder and add more to achieve your desired thickness.
  • Continue to cook and stir over medium heat for about 5-10 minutes until the mixture thickens to your liking.
  1. Add Milk and Sweetener (Optional):
  • If you like, you can add powdered milk or soy milk powder to the Tom Brown to make it creamier. Stir it in until well combined.
  • Sweeten your Tom Brown with sugar or honey to taste. Start with a small amount and adjust according to your preference.
  1. Serve:
  • Pour your Tom Brown into bowls and serve it hot. It’s a filling and nutritious breakfast.

You can also customize your Tom Brown by adding ingredients like cinnamon, nutmeg, or vanilla extract for extra flavor. Some people enjoy topping it with sliced bananas, diced mango, or other fruits for added sweetness and nutrition. Enjoy your delicious Ghanaian Tom Brown breakfast!