- Moi moi is a delicious, protein-filled meal that is a staple in many Nigerian households
- It is usually served as a side dish but can be eaten as a main meal on any occasion
- Here is an easy step-by-step guide to preparing moi moi from scratch
Moi Moi is a beloved Nigerian dish made from blended beans, spices, and a mix of protein-rich ingredients. It is a staple in many Nigerian households and can be served as a main dish, a side, or even for breakfast.
While some might shy away from preparing Moi Moi because they think it’s complicated or strenuous, the truth is that with the right steps, it can be quite simple and the result is always worth it.
Here is an easy, step-by-step process to make this delicious, protein-packed dish from scratch, perfect for any occasion.
Moi moi ingredients
1. 8 cups of beans
2. 4 red bell peppers (tatase)
3. 10 scotch bonnet peppers (rodo)
4. 2 large onions (adjust to personal preference)
5. 3 boiled eggs
6. Freshly boiled Titus fish, chicken or beef, depending on your preference.
7. 3 cubes of Knorr
8. Salt to taste
9. crayfish
10. 2 cups of vegetable or palm oil
11. Moi moi leaves or aluminium cups
12. Half cup of fish/chicken/beef stock
Instructions: How to prepare moi moi
Step 1: Prepare your beans and moi moi leaves and/or aluminium cups.
Soak your beans in a 2-litre bowl of water, and leave to soften for five minutes. Start by peeling off the skin with your hands, or you can use a blender to achieve the same result. Make sure all the skin comes off or at least 90 per cent of it, then rinse with clean water and set aside.
Step 2: Prepare the leaves or aluminium cups/plates
For the leaves, rinse with clean water and arrange them in a flat plate according to their sizes this eases some stress. If you’re using the aluminium cups, just rinse and set aside.
Step 3: Add all your ingredients to the bowl of peeled beans
Add chopped onions, pepper, and crayfish to the bowl of beans. Then pour the contents into a blender, you may need to blend in batches, depending on the capacity of your blender. Blend until smooth. After that, transfer into a bigger bowl and add your knorr cubes, salt, chopped proteins (except the boiled eggs), stock and vegetable or palm oil. Stir gently until well combined to achieve a perfect taste.
Step 4: Scoop your moi moi paste into the leaves or aluminium plates
Set a big pot on the stove, add six cups of clean water. In the pot, set a steaming steel basket, cover and allow to boil. Slice your boiled eggs and set aside.
For the leaves, take two, hold them together and fold each lower end into a V shape then bend the end backwards. The leaves should cupped, ensuring that whatever you pour into them won’t spill.
Once you have done this, scoop your desired quantity of moi moi into the cupped leaves and add a slice of egg. Fold the edges of the leaves inward and bend the ends of the leaves backwards.
Carefully place it on the basket in the already heated pot. Repeat this process until you are done wrapping all the paste. Cover and allow to steam for 45 minutes.
If you are using aluminium cups, just scoop your moi moi into it, add your sliced egg, cover the cup and arrange it on the steaming basket. Cover and allow to steam for 45 minutes.
Step 5: Serve
After 45 minutes, check if your moi moi is well cooked by inserting a toothpick into one of the aluminium cups. If the toothpick comes back clean, your moi moi is ready to be enjoyed with any side meal of your choice.
TheRadar Kitchen: How to prepare ofada rice and ayamase sauce
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported how to prepare ofada rice and ayamase sauce, a must-try Nigerian delicacy that is a staple from the Ijebu people of Ogun State.
The green pepper-based Aaamase sauce is famous for its spicy and savoury taste that complements the unique taste of the rice.