In the Yoruba language of Nigeria, "efo riro" can be understood as "vegetable stew" (more literally, "mixed leafy vegetables"). West African recipes for this dish often call for plants in the amaranth family; North American renditions commonly substitute spinach. As you can see from the color, however, eating efo riro is not simply a matter of getting your greens. Typical recipes include palm oil; onion; habanero or Scotch bonnet pepper; and, individually or in combination, salt fish, dried fish, or stockfish. Perhaps the most contentious choice is whether or not to splash on a tomato sauce, as shown here.
My bowl of efo riro was bulked up with "mixed meat" — in this case, goat, cow foot, and cow tripe — and accompanied by a wad of amala prepared from yam flour.
Rantab Restaurant & Sports Bar
2602 Church Ave. (at Veronica Pl.), Flatbush, Brooklyn
718-728-0751
www.RantabRestaurant.com
