In Nigeria, Saturdays will not be complete without the legendary Akara and pap, though those from the West and South of the country think it’s best known to them, it is very common in the North as well as the East. More so, it is also popular street food. This is what always brings the big question regarding the best ways to make Akara.
Akara also known as bean fritters is a delicacy enjoyed over the years in many homes in Nigeria and those in Diaspora. It is made from Black-eyed peas (Vigna unguiculata), a kind of bean popular in this part of the world that is rich in protein, it can be brown or white in color and large or small in size.
Recipe Needed For Akara
The recipe for Akara may be different based on what you want. However, the standard things you may require include the following:
- Black-eyed peas
- Peppers
- Onions
- Salt
- Crayfish
- Seasoning cube.
- Oil for frying
Note that one of the best ways is to ground your beans with all onions, pepper, and crayfish before adding salt and seasoning cube and then frying.
There Are Many Ways To Make Akara
How To Make It With Unpeeled Beans
This is one of the fastest ways to make Akara though unusual, it is most preferable to use the brown kind of beans especially for those who do not like seeing black particles in their mixture. Here are the steps to follow:
- The beans are picked and put in a bowl, rinsed, and soaked for a while to soften
- Then it is blended using a blender or a grinding engine.
- The beans are ground into a pasty form without adding too much water, it is mixed either with a mixer, ladle or whisk to incorporate air into the mixture, salt, (pepper and onions which are optional) is then added and mixed properly.
- The last stage is to heat up vegetable oil in a frying pan and fry
- It is important to note that the oil shouldn’t be too hot or the Akara will burn without cooking properly on the inside.
- scoop the mixture with a spoon into the oil and let it fry for about 2-3 minutes on each side before taking them out of the fire, continue this process until the mixture is exhausted.
How To Make Akara Waffles
To make Akara this way, here are the steps to follow.:
- You have to start from scratch by washing the beans in order to peel. This can be done by lightly pounding on it to make it a bit soft for the peel to come off or by using your palms to scrub on it repeatedly.
- After peeling the beans the next step is blending it, this can be done with a blender or a grinding engine, it is important not to add plenty of water because you want it to be pasty in form.
- Now spice the mixture with salt (pepper and onions optional)
- Mix properly, then the waffle maker is greased with oil and a moderate amount of the mixture is put in there and closed to cook.
- Once the Akara is brown and cooked, it is ready to serve.
Easy Steps For Akara Balls
- After the beans have been prepared, spiced, and mixed, the mixture is then scooped with a spoon in small sizes into the frying pan containing fairly hot oil this will form balls of Akara.
- Flip after 2-3 minutes it would be golden by then
- Leave the other side for about the same time to cook properly then put in a sieve or paper towel to drain excess oil
- It is ready to serve.
How To Make Akara Toast
To make this type of Akara the preparation method is the same as stated above, the only difference is that the mixture is moderately poured into a toaster that has already been greased with oil, the Akara is ready when it is properly cooked and is golden brown, it is then ready to serve.
How To Make Akara With Palm Oil
The beans are washed and prepared like mentioned earlier, after spicing the mixture add a little palm oil to it and mix properly then fry, the palm oil, in this case, makes the insides of the Akara softer than usual.
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The Best Ways To Enjoy Akara
Akara can be enjoyed in different ways, it could also be eaten solely without any side dish and can be enjoyed at any time of the day all year round. Here are some ways to best enjoy Akara;
1. Akara and Pap
It can be served with pap which is made out of corn, millet, or guinea corn. Sugar or honey is added to the pap which makes it an interesting combination.
2. Akara and Custard
It can also be served with custard of any flavor with sugar or any kind of sweetener, with or without milk according to one’s preference.
3. Akara and Bread
Some people call this Akara burger too, a soft loaf of bread is opened up in the center and the Akara is placed in the middle from the top to the bottom for even distribution and enjoyment.
4. Akara and soaked Garri
Akara can also be eaten with garri which is dried and fried cassava broken down into tiny grits, this garri is soaked in cold water and sugar is added to taste.
5. Akara and Oats
For those who don’t like pap or garri, oats can be a substitute to enjoy Akara with, the oat is made a bit loose, and sugar or honey or any other sweetener can be added to it.
6. Akara and fried Yam
Nicknamed Kosh and dosh in Nothern Nigeria, this is another excellent way to enjoy Akara whether with or without pap.
