Hey there, food enthusiasts! Today, we dive into a fantastic recipe — ‘Ekuru’, also known as ‘Ofuloju’ or White Moimoi. This traditional bean recipe hails from the vibrant culinary cultures of Kwara and Ondo states in Nigeria.
If you haven’t tried ‘’Ekuru yet, you’re missing out on a culinary delight that’s all that and a bag of chips! Let’s dive into the awesomeness.
Ingredients
- 3 cups of black-eyed beans or brown
- 3 cooking spoons of palm oil
- 1 cup of dried pepper (Ata Ijosi)
- 1 red bell pepper (or 3 if dried pepper is unavailable)
- 1 Scotch bonnet
- 1.5 medium onion
- 2 tablespoons of locust beans (Iru)
- 1 cup of fried assorted meats
- 1 smoked fish or eja shawa (optional)
- 1/2 cup smoked prawns (optional)
- 2 tablespoons ground crayfish
- 2 Knorr chicken cubes
- Salt to taste
Preparation
1. Soak And Peel: Begin by soaking and peeling your beans. Then blend with a little water until semi-smooth, not too thick or too fluid.
2. Fluff It Up: Empty the blended contents into a bowl. Now, here comes the fun part. Use a hand mixer, wooden spoon, or ladle to mix the batter for 10-15 minutes until it becomes incredibly fluffy and frothy. No hand mixer? No worries, just mix for 30 minutes with a wooden spoon. Traditionally, ‘Ekuru’ batter is pounded in a mortar, but you could use more suitable options.
3. Texture Matters: Work your batter well to achieve that signature ‘Ekuru’ crumbly texture. Fluffiness is key; otherwise, you might end up with a moin moin-like texture or, heaven forbid, hard ‘Ekuru’. So, get mixing like there’s no tomorrow!
4. Scoop And Steam: Scoop the batter into banana leaves (moin moin leaves), Ramekins, or Foil wraps. Steam until fully cooked, approximately 30 minutes on medium heat. You can use a steamer or line a pot with plastic bags, add water, and steam the ‘Ekuru’. Ensure the water can’t get into the wrapped batter.
5. Enjoy The Flavour Explosion: Once steamed to perfection, unravel the goodness of
‘Ekuru’. Serve it traditionally with spicy ‘ata dindin’ (fried stew) and ‘eko agidi’ for the ultimate culinary experience.
There you have it, my friends – a taste of tradition, a dash of creativity, and a plate full of ‘Ekuru’ excellence. Get ready to embark on a journey of flavour with this scrumptious recipe!
