Written by Daniel 

I'm the seventh child in a family of eight — that's a lot of kids, right? In Ghana and Africa fifty years ago, that was not uncommon. My mother used to serve two enormous bowls – one for the girls and one for us, the males – because we had four sisters and three brothers. We used to eat in groups and then ask for more when we were full.

 

Fried chicken, specifically Ghanaian fried chicken, was one of the meals that made eating in groups a lot of fun.

 

Because we only ate it on special occasions like Christmas, Easter, and birthdays, this was the case. My brothers and I would also try to devour the fried chicken as quickly as possible so we could obtain more. My mother cooked the chicken in a unique style that made it extremely delicate and delicious.

 

My older brothers would normally grab the larger chunks of chicken because we usually ate together, but that makes it even more exciting because I got to report them to my mother, who would give me additional chicken, hehe!

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Preparing and eating Ghanaian fried chicken reminds me not only of the wonderful aroma of the chicken but also of the togetherness I had with my other seven siblings. Now, as a graduate student in Bloomington, Indiana, distant from home and my siblings, I try to keep my Ghanaian identity by inviting a couple of my friends over to my place and sharing the fried chicken served with rice with them. Because of its capacity to remain untorn during the cooking process, the recipe is best done with home-bred chicken, but any bird would suffice.

 

In Bloomington Indiana, I have yet to find a Ghanaian grocery store or restaurant where I can buy ingredients for the dish or traditional cuisine.

 

The dearth of Ghanaian eateries in Bloomington also makes me feel as though my American and other foreign friends are missing out on some delicious food from Ghana, the Gateway to West Africa. As a result, most of the individuals I bring over to eat the chicken are from outside of Africa. Because most Africans have comparable chicken recipes, I don't think they'll be surprised by the flavor because it won't be their first time eating chicken served in this manner. I recall bringing my geography colleague and his wife over for a Ghanaian chicken meal, which they quite enjoyed. 

The procedure of preparing the chicken is very enjoyable! You'll learn how to use basic natural spices like ginger and garlic to make the chicken smell delicious while it's cooking on the stove. The entire room is filled with the fragrance of chicken.

 

In Ghana, such a scent can entice nearby kids to bring a bowl to a neighbor’s house for a piece.

 

This is common among Ghanaians and Africans, and it is a part of our culture. Garlic is beneficial for the heart, and ginger is an antioxidant in the human body, so using natural spices makes the chicken healthier.

 

As a result, eating Ghanaian chicken is the same as taking medication!