When Ekuru is done right, it is absolutely delicious. Ekuru is a traditional Yoruba meal made from blended beans, similar to moin-moin but without the use of oil or peppers.
My first encounter with this steamed bean cake was a memorable one as it was served with very tasty and meat-rich fried stew and my mom‘s friend who offered it to us was very generous with the meat. The experience stuck with my young mind. I have also tasted some other variations of this meal that didn’t taste as good.
Ekuru is simply ground beans and spices steamed until firm. It is usually enjoyed with your preferred style of pepper sauce for the necessary added flavor as it is mostly plain tasting. It is like making jollof rice without the peppers, most of the seasonings, and the oil… meh!
It is a great source of protein. It is also an ideal meal for vegetarians who can make their pepper stew with other nutritious alternatives to meat. Ekuru is a delicious and mostly healthy comfort food.
DELICIOUS EKURU RECIPE
Ingredients
For the Ekuru:
- 2 Cups Dried Black-Eyed Beans or Brown Beans
- 1 Onion (For Flavor)
- 2 Cloves of Garlic (Optional, For Added Taste)
- 1 Tablespoon Ground Crayfish (Optional, Extra Flavor)
- 1 Teaspoon Ground Pepper (For Mild Heat)
- 0.5 Teaspoon Ground Ginger (Optional, For Extra Flavor)
- 2 Bouillon Cubes Or Its Equivalent In Bouillon Powder
- Salt (To Taste)
- Water (For Blending)
For the Steaming Process:
- Banana Leaves or Foil (For Wrapping)
- A Steaming Pot or a Large Saucepan with a Lid
Recipe:
Wash the dried beans thoroughly. Make sure to remove the peels/skin on the beans, and any stones or debris.
You can use your hands to rub the beans between your palms or place the freshly rinsed and soaked beans in a blender with enough water to cover the beans and press the pulse button gently a few times till you can see the peels come off.
Soak the peeled beans in water for 2-3 hours to soften the beans and make them easier to blend. Peeling and soaking the beans gives the Ekuru a smoother texture.
Once the beans are peeled, place them in a blender or food processor. Add enough water to blend the beans into a smooth and thick batter. The consistency should be similar to a thick pancake batter.
Add the onions and garlic. Blend in. These ingredients add nourishing flavor to the Ekuru.
Add the ground crayfish (optional), ground pepper, ground ginger (optional), and bouillon cubes or powder. Season the batter with salt to taste. Blend everything together until smooth and well combined. The mixture should be thick and smooth.
If you have banana leaves, wash them thoroughly and cut them into manageable pieces to wrap the Ekuru. Banana leaves give the dish an aromatic flavor and help the Ekuru hold its shape while steaming.
If banana leaves are not available, you can use aluminum foil to wrap it, or even steam it in a heatproof bowl or plastic containers.
Grease your banana leaves or foil with a little oil or non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
Scoop a generous amount of the bean batter and place it in the banana leaves or foil. Fold the edges of the banana leaves or foil around the batter to create a sealed packet. Make sure it’s tightly wrapped to ensure the Ekuru steams evenly and holds its shape.
If you’re using foil, fold the edges neatly to form a pouch. If you’re using a bowl, just pour the batter into the bowl and cover it.
Bring a pot of water to a boil and place a steaming rack or a small stack of banana leaves or foil at the bottom of the pot to prevent direct contact between the wrapped Ekuru and the water. You can also use a steaming pot if you have one.
Carefully arrange the wrapped Ekuru on the steaming rack, stack of banana leaves, or foil, ensuring that there’s enough space for the steam to circulate. Cover the pot with a lid and let it steam for about 35-45 minutes.
Check the Ekuru after 30 minutes by unwrapping one packet. The Ekuru should be firm and cooked through. If it’s not yet firm, continue steaming.
Once the Ekuru is cooked and firm, remove it from the steamer and let it cool slightly before unwrapping.
Serve the Ekuru with delicious pepper sauce/stew. It can also be enjoyed as a snack by itself or with a refreshing drink.
Ekuru is delicious, nutritious, and easy-to-make. Following this recipe guarantees satisfaction. Enjoy!
In case you need help with making delicious stew to enjoy this Ekuru recipe with, click the link below:
To find other delicious recipes, click the link below:
