We know that you love recipes, so today, we have prepared for you the traditional Nigerian ekpang nkukwo recipe. Let us see all the details involved in cooking, serving it, and its features and nutritional value. We hope you will like it.
Ekpang nkukwo is one of the most favorite Nigerian foods. It takes about two hours to cook, which makes it a bit challenging, but when you see the result, you understand that it’s worth the effort. Most people enjoy this meal and are even ready to eat it repetitively at any time of the day. In fact, this dish is often served during ceremonies and traditional celebrations like weddings or christenings.
To make the cooking process easier, it’s best to prepare all the ingredients and necessary items beforehand. Doing this the day before will help you keep everything organized and ready to go. Ekpang nkukwo is perfect for cooking with family or friends, as it is time-consuming due to the peeling, grating of cocoyam and water yam, as well as wrapping the grated cocoyam. Involving your loved ones can make the cooking process both faster and more enjoyable!
Let’s take a look at the ekpang nkukwo recipe!
Ingredients for Ekpang Nkukwo
- 10 medium cocoyam tubers
- 1 medium water yam tuber
- 3 cups of shelled periwinkles
- 1 cup of ground crayfish
- 1 cup of dry shrimps (optional)
- 1 cup of fresh lettuce, tender potato leaves, fresh cocoyam leaves, or spinach
- 3 scotch bonnets (or dry pepper if unavailable)
- 1 medium cowhide
- 1 dried catfish (or chicken, smoked fish, or beef)
- 2 medium onions
- 2 cups of palm oil
- 4 cups of water (or chicken stock for better flavor)
- 4 seasoning cubes
- Salt to taste
- Basil leaves
You can add or remove ingredients according to your preference!
How to Cook Ekpang Nkukwo
Before you start cooking, here are some recommendations:
- Wash the meat (chicken, beef, or cowhide) and boil until soft with seasoning. If using dried fish or seafood, add seasoning and set aside.
- Chop the periwinkles at the tail, wash them in salted water, and set aside.
- Mix onion with crayfish (if using) and pepper.
- Peel, wash, and grate the cocoyam and water yam into a big bowl. Add 1 or 2 seasoning cubes, salt, and two tablespoons of palm oil, and mix thoroughly.
Now, wash your leaves (tender cocoyam leaves, ugu leaves, sweet potato leaves, or spinach) and pull them from the stalks. You’ll need to cut the curry leaf or scent leaf for a lovely vegetable spice at the end of cooking.
Now let’s move on to the cooking process:
- Pour palm oil into a large pot to grease the inside. Spread washed periwinkles in the pot to prevent burning at the bottom.
- Add a portion of the cowhide and dried fish for flavor.
- Scoop mixed cocoyam onto the leaves, wrap it, and place it into the pot carefully.
- Repeat this with all the grated cocoyam. Cook on low heat without stirring for about 15 minutes.
- Add 2 cups of hot water and let it heat for 5 minutes.
- Once boiling, add the prepared seasonings (dried fish, stock cubes, pepper, onion, crayfish, shrimps, etc.).
- Cover the pot and let it cook for 15 minutes without stirring.
- Add the remaining palm oil and stir gently until well mixed. Adjust consistency with chicken stock or water as needed.
Allow to simmer for another 5 minutes. If you need to adjust the consistency, you can cut the folded cocoyam with a kitchen knife while on the stove.
Finally, add the scented or curry leaves, stir again, and leave on heat for three more minutes. Serve warm with a refreshing drink!
Nutritional Value of Ekpang Nkukwo
This traditional Nigerian meal is not only delicious but also nutritious. It contains high levels of protein from fish, meat, shrimps, crayfish, and periwinkles. Cocoyam and water yam provide carbohydrates, while palm oil contributes essential vitamins. Additionally, lettuce, spinach, and scent leaves add a wealth of minerals.
Ekpang nkukwo is beneficial for pregnant women and nursing mothers due to its nutrient-rich content. It supports breast milk quality with vital minerals and vitamins. Children also enjoy this dish, which makes it a healthy and tasty option for the entire family.
Don’t worry if you can’t finish it in one sitting; ekpang nkukwo can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days, and it often tastes even better later!
We hope this recipe has been helpful for you. The next time you think about nutritious meals, remember Nigerian recipes, especially the healthy and flavorful ekpang nkukwo!
READ ALSO: How to cook couscous perfectly
Source: Legit.ng
