FOOD: THE BEST NIGERIAN FOOD

Whenever I leave the UK I’m worried I’ll have trouble finding food I like as I’m a strict vegetarian (well… with the exception of pepperoni pizza of course). Before going to Nigeria my cousin read out a long list of Nigerian cuisine to me. I noticed a lot of meat was mentioned (!) but thankfully so was rice, yam, cassava and pudding… mmm pudding.

Below, I’ve listed my favourite Nigerian foods and drinks that everyone, especially Alice who is there, should try. So visit your Nigerian friend, neighbour, restaurant, market stall or book a trip, because what I’ve listed below is delicious and made my 7 month visit worth while.

1. Zobo

Best drink ever. The only way to drink it is ice-cold on a hot day.
Recipe: http://allnigerianfoods.com/zobo-drink
Health rating: good, if you don’t add to much sugar 🙂

2. Akara

The best breakfast around. White beans mashed, spiced and fried.
Recipe: http://www.allnigerianrecipes.com/breakfast-recipes/akara-recipe.html
Health rating: not great, nothing ever is when it’s fried 😦

3. Egg stew

Like scrabbled egg but with chilli pepper, tomato and red onion.
Recipe: http://www.allnigerianrecipes.com/stews/egg-stew.html
Health rating: Egg-cellent

4. Tomato stew and rice

Simple and delicious. Spicy tomato stew and plain rice.
Recipe: http://www.allnigerianrecipes.com/stews/tomato-stew.html
Spice level: you’ll blow your nose at least twice
Health rating: Stew-pendous

5. Chocolate Viju

Chocolate drink called Viju. Great served chilled on a hot day.
Health rating: bad, chocolate is never good unless you run

6. Alewa

Sugar. 100% sugar. Probably why there is no recipe online as all you need is sugar!
Recipe: not found but I did find another lady who is looking for the recipe
Health rating: the worst thing for your health ever

7. Beans and Plantain

Delicious bean porridge served with roasted plantain = pure heaven.
Recipe: http://www.afrolems.com/2011/11/21/recipe-for-nigerian-beans-porridge-and-plantain/
Health rating: top banana

8. Fried yam

Yam pealed, sliced and fried. Also, sometimes dipped in egg before frying.
Recipe: http://www.allnigerianrecipes.com/yam/fried-yam.html
Health rating: not great. Fried food never is, even if you run 😦

9. Egosi soup

Egosi seeds mashed and mixed with other ingredients.
Recipe: http://www.allnigerianrecipes.com/soups/egusi-soup.html
Health rating: ok-ish, if you ignore the amount of oil 🙂

10. Moi moi

White beans mashed, spiced and boiled in a leaf or bag.
Recipe: http://www.nigerianfoodtv.com/2013/02/nigerian-moi-moi-how-to-make-nigerian.html
Health rating: moi-vellous

11. Masa

Made from rice or guinea corn. Fried in a special pan.
Recipe: http://www.dobbyssignature.com/2014/07/hausa-masa-recipe-rice-puff-puff.html
Health rating: not bad

12. Kuli Kuli

Ground nuts mashed, spiced and rolled into coils or balls. Great snack.
Recipe: http://www.nigerianfoodtv.com/2013/03/kuli-kuli-nigerian-hausa.html
Health rating: Cool x2

Bon Appétit!

Lettice

@LetticeTravels