Ewa oloyin with plantain recipe
In Yoruba, ewa oloyin means "beans with honey" due to their naturally sweet taste. Paired with plantain, this super-simple, delicious dish is a Nigerian favourite.
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 50 mins
Serves 4
Ingredients
- 300g honey beans or black-eyed beans (washed, soaked overnight and drained)
- 150g onion, chopped
- 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon ground chilli pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt (optional)
- 150g red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 litre of water
- 2 medium-sized ripe plantains, peeled and cut into 4 or 5 pieces each
Method
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To make the ewa oloyin, first bring 700ml of water to the boil in a large saucepan. Add the beans and half the onion, then cover and cook on medium-low heat for about 40 minutes. Check whether they're ready by crushing a few beans with the back of a fork – they should be easy to mash. If not, add more water (200ml at a time) and check again in another 10 minutes.
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Add the rest of the onion to the pot along with the oil, ground pepper and salt. Stir well and allow to cook for a further 5 minutes on low heat. Add the chopped bell pepper, stir and simmer for another few minutes, before turning off the heat and leaving to cool until it's time to serve.
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About 10 minutes before the beans are ready, steam the pieces of plantain until soft when pricked with a fork (about 12 to 15 minutes). Serve in a bowl with a ladle of beans and enjoy.
Information:Swap the plantain for boiled yam or sweet potato, if you prefer.
