Delicious and Authentic Ewa Agoyin Recipe: A Nigerian Delight

Ingredients

2 cups Black Eyed Peas
1 teaspoon Salt
2 cups Palm Oil
2 cups Onions, chopped
1 tablespoon Cayenne Pepper
2 Scotch bonnet peppers, chopped
2 cubes of Maggi or Knorr bouillon
1 tablespoon Ground Crayfish
1 tablespoon Dried Shrimp
2 cups Water

Steps and instructions

Soak the black eyed peas in water overnight or for at least 3 hours. This will make it easier to peel the skin off the beans.
After soaking, rinse the beans in water and remove the skins. You can do this by rubbing the beans between your palms.
Put the beans in a pot, add water, and cook until they are soft. Add more water if necessary.
While the beans are cooking, heat the palm oil in a separate pot.
Add the chopped onions to the hot oil and fry until they are brown.
Add the cayenne pepper, scotch bonnet peppers, bouillon cubes, ground crayfish, and dried shrimp to the onions. Stir well and allow the sauce to simmer for about 10 minutes.
When the beans are soft, add salt to taste and mash them with a potato masher.
Add the sauce to the mashed beans and mix thoroughly.
Allow the beans to simmer in the sauce for a few minutes, until it is well incorporated.
Take off the heat and serve your Ewa Agoyin with bread, fried plantain, or as desired.

Tools for making

Pot - A large pot for cooking the black eyed peas and sauce.
Frying Pan - A pan to heat the palm oil and fry the onions.
Potato Masher - A utensil for mashing the cooked black eyed peas.
Chopping Board - A surface for chopping the onions and scotch bonnet peppers.
Knife - A sharp knife for chopping the onions and scotch bonnet peppers.
Wooden Spoon - A spoon for stirring the sauce and beans.
Measuring Spoons - Utensils for accurately measuring the salt, cayenne pepper, ground crayfish, and dried shrimp.
Spatula - A utensil for scraping the sauce from the frying pan and mixing it with the beans.

Recipe variations

Add chopped bell peppers or tomatoes to the sauce for a different flavor and texture.
Include cooked diced meat, such as beef or chicken, for a protein-rich version of Ewa Agoyin.
Experiment with different spices and seasonings like thyme, curry powder, or garlic powder to customize the flavor to your liking.
For a vegan or vegetarian option, omit the dried shrimp and use vegetable bouillon instead of meat-based bouillon cubes.
Add a splash of vinegar or lemon juice to the sauce for a tangy twist.
For extra heat, include more cayenne pepper or add chopped habanero peppers.
Try using different types of beans instead of black-eyed peas, such as red beans, black beans, or kidney beans.
For a healthier version, use less palm oil or substitute it with a healthier oil like olive oil.
Serve Ewa Agoyin with boiled yam, rice, or plantain instead of bread.
Add a sprinkle of chopped fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley as a garnish.

Recipe overview

Ewa Agoyin is a popular traditional Nigerian dish originating from the Agoyin people of Benin Republic. This delicious, spicy dish features soft, mashed beans served with a rich, peppery sauce. Typically, Ewa Agoyin is enjoyed with bread, fried plantain, or yam. The preparation process is relatively straightforward, albeit a bit time-consuming due to the bean preparation. However, the savory and satisfying results make every moment worth it.

First, you'll begin by soaking and peeling the beans, then boiling them until they are tender. As the beans cook, you'll whip up the distinctive Ewa Agoyin sauce featuring palm oil, onions, peppers, and an array of aromatic spices. The final step is combining the beans and the sauce, resulting in a mouthwatering, flavorful dish that's a delight to savor. This is comfort food at its best and is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen.

Common questions

How long do I need to soak the black eyed peas? - Soak the black eyed peas in water overnight or for at least 3 hours.
How do I remove the skins from the black eyed peas? - Rinse the soaked beans in water and remove the skins by rubbing them between your palms.
How do I cook the beans? - Put the peeled beans in a pot, add water, and cook until they are soft. Add more water if necessary.
How do I make the sauce? - Heat palm oil in a separate pot, add chopped onions, and fry until brown. Then add cayenne pepper, scotch bonnet peppers, bouillon cubes, ground crayfish, and dried shrimp. Simmer for about 10 minutes.
How do I combine the beans and sauce? - Mash the cooked beans, add salt to taste, and mix with the sauce. Allow it to simmer for a few minutes until well incorporated.
What can I serve Ewa Agoyin with? - Ewa Agoyin can be served with bread, fried plantain, or any desired accompaniment.

Serving dishes and utensils

Pot - A large pot for cooking the black eyed peas and sauce.
Frying Pan - A frying pan for heating the palm oil and frying the onions.
Potato Masher - A utensil for mashing the cooked black eyed peas.
Spatula - A tool for stirring and mixing the sauce with the mashed beans.
Knife - A sharp knife for chopping the onions and scotch bonnet peppers.
Cutting Board - A cutting board for chopping the onions and scotch bonnet peppers.
Measuring Spoons - Utensils for accurately measuring the salt, cayenne pepper, ground crayfish, and dried shrimp.

Origin stories

Ewa Agoyin traces its origins back to the Agoyin people of Benin Republic, West Africa. As a populous trading and migrant group, the Agoyin people spread their unique culinary skills across the region, especially in Nigeria where Ewa Agoyin became a beloved street food. This dish, characterized by its soft, mashed beans and rich, spicy sauce, can be seen sizzling in street-side pots across Lagos and beyond. A testament to the cultural exchanges that happen over food, Ewa Agoyin is now a quintessential part of Nigerian cuisine, served in homes and restaurants alike. Its spicy and lingering taste reminds us of the vibrant culinary journeys that connect us back to our West African roots.

Disclaimer: This recipe was not created by humans and we cannot ensure that it will turn out as expected. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this recipe (including steps, ingredients, nutritional information, and all sections on this page). You should check to make sure you are not allergic to any ingredients and take safety precautions while making this. The images on this page are generated by AI and may not accurately represent the result of making this recipe.