Ekuru facts for kids
Ekuru is a popular traditional food from the Yoruba people in Nigeria. It is a tasty meal made mostly from peeled beans.
Ekuru is a bit like another Nigerian dish called Moin-moin. Both are made from peeled black-eyed peas or sometimes cowpeas. But there's a key difference! While Moin-moin is mixed with spices and other things before steaming, Ekuru is steamed plain. It is wrapped in leaves or tin cans for cooking.
This dish is usually white and has a mild taste. It is often served with a spicy pepper stew. People usually mash the Ekuru into the stew before eating it. Many enjoy Ekuru with a fermented maize pudding called Ogi or Eko. It can also be eaten with Cassava pudding (Eba) or Okro Soup.
Ekuru is especially popular among people from South-Western Nigeria. It is a common food in places like Osun State.
Contents
What is Ekuru?
Ekuru is a simple, steamed bean pudding. It is a staple food for many families. The main ingredient is beans, which are peeled and then blended. This makes a smooth paste.
How Ekuru is Made
Making Ekuru is quite simple. First, the beans are soaked in water. This makes them easier to peel. After peeling, the beans are ground into a smooth batter. This batter is then wrapped in special leaves or put into small containers. Finally, it is steamed until it becomes firm.
Eating Ekuru
Ekuru is known for its plain taste. This is why it is almost always eaten with a flavorful stew. The stew adds all the spice and richness to the meal.
Popular Pairings
- Pepper Stew: This is the most common way to eat Ekuru. The stew is usually made with tomatoes, peppers, and onions. It can be quite spicy!
- Ogi or Eko: This is a soft, fermented maize pudding. It has a slightly sour taste that goes well with the Ekuru and stew.
- Eba: A thicker pudding made from cassava.
- Okro Soup: A slimy, green soup made from okra.
Ingredients for Ekuru
To make Ekuru, you mainly need black-eyed beans. The stew that goes with it needs a few more items.
- Black-eyed beans
- Vegetable oil
For the Pepper Stew
- Tomatoes
- Onions
- Stock cube (for flavor)
- Salt
- Habanero pepper (for heat)
- Nutmeg (for a unique flavor)
Ekuru in Culture
Ekuru is more than just food; it also appears in some Yoruba stories. In some old tales, Ekuru was used in special ways. For example, it was once cooked with glue in a story about trying to stop powerful witches from moving.
Because Ekuru is a dry food, there's a saying: "He chokes me like ekuru." This phrase is used to describe someone who is very boring or stays too long.
Images for kids
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Ekuru served with a delicious stew.
See also
In Spanish: Ekuru para niños
