Ebenezer Akakpo is a designer in Portland, Maine. These are the ingredients for a soup his uncle's mother taught him to make in Ghana. He mentioned, "She's gone now." But because we were going through her motions, I couldn't help but notice: "Well, part of her is still here. This is her soup!" Later Ebenezer showed me a silver charm bead collection he's designing that's based on Ghanaian folk symbols. One jumped out at me. He said it meant "imperishable." Maybe it was all the ginger, garlic, and habaneros in that soup, but I left that night feeling quite indomitable, like I was connected to something bigger and stronger than my little life. Click at right for the recipes, how-to photos, and story.Photo by Stacey Cramp
