If you are Nigerian and Yoruba, you must have come across ewa aganyin at some point in your life. This dish is universally loved by all and always a challenge for people to replicate.
The beans itself is easy to cook. The stew is usually the problem. It has a particular look that if you can’t get yours to like that way, then you are yet to make proper ewa aganyin. I have tried it a few times using different methods but I always fell short of the authentic one.
Few days back, I decided to have another go after reading different suggestions online and what a surprise. I FINALLY GOT IT! You needed to have seen me, I was jumping up like someone who just won a lottery. The most surprising of all, it was FREAKING EASY!
Give it a try and you shan’t be disappointed.
RECIPE
Preparation time : 15 mins
Cooking time: 1 hour
Total duration: 1 hr 15 mins
Ingredients
Beans (as much as you want)
Red bell peppers
Scotch bonnet peppers (ata rodo)
Onions
Palm Oil
Salt
Seasoning Cubes
Method
- Wash and cook the beans until very soft. This can take about an hour depending on the quantity and burner. Add salt to taste.
- Whilst the beans is cooking, start preparing the stew (ata aganyin). Wash the peppers and onion and blend lightly (i.e. to a rough consistency).
- Heat the palm oil in a pan until it turns white. Then add the blended pepper and fry for about 5 mins.
- Add the seasoning and salt to taste and continue to fry until there is oil sediment on top.
- When the beans is soft to the point of almost being mushy, it is ready.
- Serve with the stew and enjoy.
- To get the beans to cook faster, I used a pressure pot.
- It is best to ensure that the pan is well sealed while heating the palm oil to avoid the heat coming out and causing people in the vicinity to have a coughing fit. Once it is sufficiently hot, remove from burner and leave to cool before opening. After cooling, put back on the burner and continue cooking.
- You can also mash the beans slightly to get the exact mushiness you desire.
2 comments
Oh,thanks auntykaddy. I enjoyed reading this post. Looks delish.
Thanks for your comment dear. Try it out. You would not be disappointed.