Today’s recipe is on how to make Akara and pap(Akamu). Akara and pap(Akamu) is one of the best combinations you can have for breakfast and trust me you’re going to love it. We’re going to be discussing how each of them is made starting with Akara.
Akara also known as, bean cake, black-eyed peas fritters is a Nigerian delicacy made from brown beans. Akara is preferably done in Nigerian homes on Saturdays due to the processes involved. The process is a bit long and nobody wants to do that before heading to work in the morning. The peeling of beans is something I don’t enjoy doing because of the stress involved. I’m not lazy oh. LOL.
Ingredients for making Akara and Pap(Akamu)
- 2 cups brown beans
- 3 large bell peppers(Tatashe)
- 2 medium size onions
- 2 habanero pepper
- Vegetable oil for deep frying
- 1 seasoning cube(optional)
- Salt to taste
For Pap(Akamu)
- Pap(any quantity of your choice)
- Cool water
- Boiled water
- Evaporated milk(optional)
- Sugar/honey(Optional)
How to make Akara(beancake)
Start with the washing and peeling of the beans. Wash the beans until the outer coat is removed. To make blending easier you could soak them in water for minutes, hours or overnight after peeling.
Pour the washed beans into the blender, and add bell peppers, habanero, onions and a little amount of water for easy blending. Akara doesn’t require too much water to avoid getting a thin barter which could affect the Akara during the frying process.
Blend until it becomes very smooth like moi-moi paste.
Pour the blended mixture into a bowl season and mix thoroughly for about 5 minutes. This is to incorporate air into the batter. ( It doesn’t require so many ingredients for seasoning. Salt, pepper and onion are enough except you choose to add more ingredients like chopped green pepper or chopped onions for those that enjoy seeing pepper and onion chunks in the Akara).
You can also use a mortar and pestle to grind your paste in a circular motion. (Optional) my grandmother used this method but due to advancements, people can make use of electric hand whisk. You can also use a spoon to stir in a bowl.
Pour enough vegetable oil into a frying pan. Akara requires a deep frying process. So make sure you add enough oil and allow it to preheat for about 3-5minutes before you begin adding the paste using a spoonful into the pan. Be careful of oil splashes.
If the oil is too hot, regulate to reduce the heat to avoid burning.
Once one side is brown, flip to the other side until every part becomes golden brown.
Place a paper towel into a sieve or plate. It helps drain out the excess oil from the Akara.
Take out cooked Akara balls and put them into the paper towel. Repeat this step to fry the remaining paste.
This could serve as a snack, breakfast or dinner served with Pap(Akamu), custard, oatmeal, hot fluffy bread loaf or even pepper sauce. Imagine having this on a Saturday morning. Winks wake up don’t sleep. LOL.
How to make pap
I know this could be difficult for most people even though it looks simple to make.  I have a friend who never tries to make pap because she fears that she would never get it right. Not everyone knows how to make it but I’m going to be teaching you how I make my perfect pap. I could remember another friend of mine asking me how to make pap without getting watery.
Reasons why your pap turns watery.
- Not allowing the water to heat properly to a boiling point.
- Not allowing your pap to defrost before making. If you store your pap in the fridge, it is advisable to allow it to defrost before making it In this case, it would have settled properly. Always bring it out hours before use so the ice wouldn’t dilute the hot water turning it into warm water.
- Watery cold water mix. When you’re making your pap always make sure that the cold water mix is thick because if it’s watery, it will affect the end product.
Steps to make pap(Akamu).
So first thing is to get the quantity you want to make into a bowl. Use a bowl that would contain it when it rises.
Use a spoon to dissolve the lumps and add a little amount of water then mix very well till you get a thick consistency.
Pour water into the kettle for the quantity you’re making and allow it to boil.
Stir again before pouring the hot water so that it would mix with the ones that must have settled at the bottom of the bowl.
Once the water boils, pour it into the pap paste while stirring at the same time. This is to avoid getting lumps.
Keep pouring until it is set then stop and stir properly. If it is too thick, add more hot water to it but be careful not to pour too much.
Once you get the texture you desire, add evaporated milk or any milk of your choice with some sugar or honey to taste. If it’s for kids it is advisable not to add sugar. Serve with hot Akara. YUMMY!
This is exactly how I make my perfect Akara and Pap(Akamu).
What’s your own favourite Akara combination? I would love to hear it.
Click on the link to visit my previous post;
Ofada stew recipe(how to make Nigeria ofada stew)
 is one of the best combinations you can have for breakfast and trust me you're going to love it.){kind=link}