Milly Gaines
Nigerian cuisine is a celebration of the country's rich food history and heritage, with influences from British colonialism, the transatlantic slave trade, and shared connections with other cultures. The Nigerian diet offers a range of palates and flavours, including sweet, salty, smoky, umami, and spicy dishes. Nigerian food culture typically features a main dish as the highlight of the meal, which can vary from akara, moin moin, rice, beans, or cooked vegetables with stew. A unique aspect of Nigerian cuisine is the regional variations of the same dish, such as egusi soup, which is prepared differently across the country. Nigerian pancakes, also known as diet, are a beloved snack and breakfast meal, often served with a variety of drinks or toppings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Typical dishes | akara, moin moin, rice, beans, cooked vegetables with stew, egusi soup, puff puff, jollof, fried rice, dodo, efo, zobo |
| Typical drinks | zobo, pap |
| Typical ingredients | melon seeds, nuts, seeds, vegetables, swallow (eba or lafun), beef |
| Typical meal structure | Main dish is the focus of the meal, no multiple courses |
| Dietary transition | Increased consumption of processed foods, fats, sugar, animal-sourced foods, plant oils, and energy-dense foods |
| Decreased consumption of traditional whole cereals and pulses | |
| Health impact | Increased rates of overweight, obesity, and diet-related non-communicable diseases |
| Triple burden of malnutrition: underweight, overweight, and micronutrient deficiencies | |
| Nigerian pancakes (diet) | Made with flour, eggs, milk, margarine, salt, sugar, ground red pepper, water, vegetable oil, thinly sliced onions |
| Can be served as a snack or for breakfast |
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What You'll Learn
Nigerian pancakes
To make Nigerian pancakes, you will need the following ingredients:
- 2 cups of plain flour
- 2-3 medium eggs
- 1/2 cup of evaporated milk
- 2 tablespoons of margarine
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of ground red dried pepper (optional)
- 1 cup of water
- Vegetable oil for frying
- 1 spoon of thinly sliced onion (optional)
- 3 tablespoons of sugar
- In a bowl, add the flour, sugar, baking powder, nutmeg, and salt. Mix well.
- In a separate bowl, add the eggs, milk, and melted margarine. Whisk well until smooth.
- Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and mix until the batter becomes smooth and lump-free.
- Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Add about 1 to 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil and spread it evenly across the pan.
- Pour some batter into the pan and spread it into a thin, even layer by rotating and tilting the pan.
- Fry each side of the pancake for about one minute, or until golden brown and crispy. Flip the pancake carefully to avoid breaking it.
- Repeat the process until you have used up all the batter, adding more oil to the pan as needed.
- Serve the pancakes hot with your choice of toppings or sides.
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Nigerian fritters
Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups of brown beans or black-eyed peas
- Peppers
- Onions
- Salt
- Seasoning cube
- Oil for frying
Instructions:
- Start by skinning and soaking the beans in water for 3 minutes or 8 hours/overnight.
- Drain the beans and rinse them under running water.
- Place the beans in a food processor with the onion, pepper, and ginger (optional). Blend until smooth and thick.
- Mix the bean flour with water until thick and smooth, and blend with the remaining ingredients.
- Heat oil in a non-stick frying pan to 350˚F.
- Scoop a tablespoonful of batter and use another spoon to help lower it into the oil.
- Fry in batches for 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden and crisp.
- Drain on kitchen paper and serve hot or at room temperature.
Akara can be served alone, with a side of starch, kaani, or in a burger. It is often paired with pap (akamu), a creamy custard made with fermented corn.
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Nigerian soups
Nigerian food culture typically features a single main dish, which can be anything from akara or moin moin to rice, beans, and cooked vegetables with stew. Soups in Nigeria are often served with other Nigerian foods, such as Eba (garri), fufu, and pounded yam. There are hundreds of Nigerian soups, with different recipes across the many Nigerian ethnic groups. Here are some of the most popular:
Egusi Soup
Likely the most popular Nigerian soup, Egusi soup is accepted and recognized by almost every Nigerian. It is made with vegetables, such as Ugu (pumpkin leaves), spinach, bitter leaf, soko, and okazi. The soup has a signature creamy, nutty flavour from the melon seed. The way the egusi seeds are prepared varies across regions—they can be raw or toasted, dry-milled or wet-ground, light and creamy or thick with curd.
Edikaikong Soup
Edikaikong soup is popular due to its nutritional value and ease of preparation. It is made with a variety of vegetables, including kale, water leaves, pumpkin leaves (ugu), spinach, and shoko leaves.
Ogbono Soup
Also known as draw soup, Ogbono soup is known to almost every Nigerian.
Afang Soup
Afang soup is native to the Efik people of Nigeria and has gained popularity across the country due to its deliciousness and the availability of ingredients.
Bitter Leaf Soup (Ofe Onugbu)
Bitter Leaf Soup is peculiar to the Igbo tribe of Eastern Nigeria. It is made with cocoyam and served with fufu.
Okra Soup
Okra soup is another popular soup served in Nigerian restaurants. It is often served with eba.
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Nigerian rice dishes
Rice is a versatile ingredient that forms the foundation of numerous mouthwatering Nigerian dishes. Here are some popular Nigerian rice dishes:
Jollof Rice
Jollof rice is a staple at social gatherings, parties, and family meals in Nigeria. It is prepared by sautéing rice with a blend of tomatoes, peppers, onions, and spices, resulting in a rich, flavorful, and slightly spicy rice dish. There are regional variations of Jollof rice across Nigeria, such as "Banga Jollof" in the Niger Delta, which includes palm fruit extract, dried fish, and an array of spices. Jollof rice can also be made with Basmati rice, known as Basmati Jollof.
Fried Rice
Fried rice is the second most popular rice dish in Nigeria and is a must-have at parties. It is a delicious medley of rice, vegetables, and protein. The rice is usually stir-fried with colourful vegetables like carrots, peas, bell peppers, and green beans, along with diced chicken, shrimp, or beef. It is seasoned with soy sauce and other aromatic spices. There are several methods of preparing Nigerian fried rice, including a version made with Basmati rice and another with shrimp as the major protein source.
Coconut Rice
Coconut rice is a coastal specialty that showcases the influence of Nigeria's southern regions. This fragrant rice dish combines the creamy richness of coconut milk with the savoury flavours of spices and herbs. A variation of this dish is Coconut Fried Rice.
Native Rice/Ofada Rice
Ofada rice, also known as Unpolished rice, is a popular Nigerian rice variety that is locally grown and unpolished, making it healthier than white rice. Native rice is often parboiled and then cooked with a mix of vegetables like green bell peppers, onions, and locust beans. It is typically enjoyed with a side of plantain, fried or boiled eggs, and a spicy sauce known as "Ofada Stew."
Rice and Beans
Rice and beans is a classic Nigerian combination that makes for a satisfying and nutritious meal. The dish involves cooking rice and beans together, often with the addition of palm oil, onions, and various spices. It can be enjoyed on its own or paired with fried plantains, grilled fish, or chicken.
Rice Porridge/Concoction Rice/Red Rice
Rice porridge is a comforting and filling dish enjoyed across Nigeria. It is made by simmering rice in a broth prepared with tomatoes, onions, peppers, and spices. Depending on the region, additional ingredients such as vegetables, meats, or fish may be added.
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Nigerian drinks
Zobo
Zobo is a drink made from zobo leaves and natural ingredients. It is considered healthy and tasty. It can be served hot as tea or chilled.
Chapman
Chapman is a combination of blackcurrant soft drinks and freshly sliced fruits. It is a refreshing drink for a hot, sunny day. It is also sometimes called Ikoyi Chapman.
Fura da Nono
Fura da Nono is a blend of millet balls (fura) and fermented milk (nono). It is a popular drink in northern Nigeria, often consumed as a breakfast beverage. It is highly nutritious and rich in protein, fiber, and vitamins.
Kunu
Kunu is a drink made from millet and spices. There are two variations of kunu: Kunu Gyada, made with groundnuts, and Kunu Zaki. It is a popular breakfast beverage in northern Nigeria and is highly nutritious, with rich sources of protein, fiber, and vitamins.
Ginger Drink
Ginger drink is a homemade ginger-flavored non-alcoholic drink. It is a popular drink in Nigeria, often consumed during hot weather. It can also be served hot as tea.
Palm Wine
Palm wine is made from the sap of the palm tree, usually a date palm or coconut palm tree. The white sap is extracted from the cut flower of the tree and is thick, sweet, and non-alcoholic before it undergoes fermentation. The fermentation process can take a few hours to a few days, yielding a mildly intoxicating, highly aromatic wine.
In addition to these traditional drinks, Nigerians also enjoy popular soft drinks like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Laccasera, as well as fruit juices made from oranges, pineapples, mangoes, and other tropical fruits.
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Frequently asked questions
Nigerian food culture usually features a single main dish, which can vary from akara or moin moin to rice, beans, and cooked vegetables with stew. A typical Nigerian diet includes a lot of fritters and fried doughs, swallows, soups, stews, sauces, rice, cooked vegetables, snacks, and drinks.
You can try making Nigerian pancakes, also referred to as "diet", which are a blend of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and fat. You can also try Sinasir, a Northern Nigerian (Hausa) rice delicacy.
You will need plain flour, eggs, evaporated milk, margarine, salt, ground red dried pepper, water, vegetable oil, thinly sliced onions (optional), and sugar.
