Cookbook:Okpa (Boiled Bambara Bean Pudding)

Okpa (Boiled Bambara Bean Pudding)
Category	Nigerian recipes
Servings	12

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Okpa is a Nigerian dish made with ground bambara beans.

Ingredients

• Banana leaves or food- and heat-safe plastic bags
• 3 cigar cups (450 g / 1 lb) of okpa flour (ground bambara beans)
• 4 small stock cubes, crushed
• Salt, to taste
• 15 tablespoons palm oil
• Habanero pepper, to taste
• 1.2 L lukewarm water

Procedure

1. Thoroughly wash the banana leaves using water and salt.
2. Sift the okpa flour into a large bowl, and mix in the crushed stock cubes and salt. Add the palm oil, and mix very well with a wooden spoon.
3. Start adding the lukewarm water to the mixed okpa flour, mixing very well until there are no lumps. After ensuring that there are no lumps, add enough lukewarm water so that the okpa will not be hard as stone when it is done.
4. Stir in the sliced habanero pepper, and adjust the seasoning as needed.
5. Scoop some okpa mixture into transparent nylon or banana leaves—avoid adding too much—and tie them closed.
6. Set some water to boil on the stove in a big pot. Ensure the water is boiling before putting in your okpa.
7. Boil the okpa for about 1 hour before checking it. The okpa will be solid when fully cooked.
8. Serve with custard, oatmeal, or pap.

Notes, tips, and variations

• Okpa does not require much seasoning because it has a naturally delicious flavor. There is no need to add ground crayfish or onions.