Koki

Ingredients

 * 1 to 4 cups (1 to 2 pounds) dry cowpeas, kidney beans, white beans
 * 1 or 2 sweet peppers and/or chile pepper, cleaned and finely chopped
 * 1 cup palm oil
 * salt
 * banana leaves (or aluminum foil) and string

Directions

 * 1) Clean the black-eyed peas in water in a large pot. Cover them with boiling water and soak them for at least an hour or overnight.
 * 2) After soaking them, rub them together between your hands to remove the skins, if need be. Rinse to wash away the skins and any other debris. Drain them in a colander.
 * 3) If the beans have soaked only a short time, they may be cooked in water over a low heat until they are partially tender.
 * 4) Crush, grind, or mash the black-eyed peas into a thick paste. Put the crushed beans in a large bowl.
 * 5) Slowly stir in enough water to make the paste smooth. Beat with a wire whisk or wooden spoon for a few minutes or more. It is important to incorporate small air bubbles into the paste.
 * 6) Heat the oil in a skillet for a few minutes, when warmed, add half the oil to the bean paste.
 * 7) Fry the chopped pepper in the remaining oil for a few minutes, then add pepper and oil to the bean paste.
 * 8) Add salt to taste and mix well.
 * 9) Warm the banana leaves for a half-minute in a hot oven, or on a grill, or in a pot of boiling water.
 * 10) This makes them easier to fold.
 * 11) Remove the center rib of each leaf by cutting across it with a knife and pulling it off.
 * 12) Cut the ends off each leaf to form a large rectangle.
 * 13) Fold the banana leaves to completely enclose the ingredients in a packet two or three layers thick.
 * 14) Place sticks or a wire basket on the bottom of a large pot.
 * 15) Carefully stack the packets on the sticks, add enough water to steam-cook them.
 * 16) Cover tightly and boil for one to three hours.
 * 17) Cooking time depends on the size of the packet.
 * 18) The finished koki should be cooked to the center, like a cake.
 * 19) Koki can be eaten hot or cold and is often served with boiled yam or sweet potato.