Nigeria is blessed with so much food, fresh organic produce with a lot of variety, due to its climate range. Nigerian climate changes from the north (Sokoto) to the south (Calabar), from Savannah to the rainforest which is reflected in the vegetation and food found in each region. They are varied both in type and abundance. The variation also shows up in the way the ingredients are used in each region e.g in the south with an abundance of rainfall, vegetables are used fresh while in the far north with much less rain but an abundance of sunlight, dehydrated vegetables are mostly used which are stored and used all year round.
In the midst of this exciting and intriguing diversity, there are certain Nigerian dishes that cut across ethnic boundaries that truly unite and make Nigeria a cohesive nation.
Here Are The Dishes Everyone Should Know How To Cook
- Jollof Rice
Jollof rice is the culinary symbol of Nigeria. Nigerians are passionate about this dish. Jollof rice features regularly on dinner tables, restaurants and in every Nigerian social gathering. It is also sold by street vendors.
Nigerian jollof rice is rice cooked in a rich tomato sauce. Jollof means ‘one pot’ in Wolof language of Senegal. So, if you must learn only one Nigerian dish, it has to be the Nigerian Jollof Rice.
It is served on its own or with many side dishes like moi-moi, fried plantain, banana slices, avocado, vegetable salad etc. Nigerian jollof rice is truly incomparable.
2. Tomato Stew
The Nigerian Tomato stew is primarily made up of tomatoes, peppers, onions (tomato stew base) and spices. It is delectable and easy to make.
You can’t have a menu block or menu fatigue once you have stew, as it is called and most people always, always have a bowl of stew tucked away in their freezers. It is eaten with most staples, white rice, bread, yam, pasta, beans, sweet potatoes, Irish potatoes, agidi/eko etc.
3. Egunsi Soup
It can arguably be said that Egusi Soup is the most universal of all Nigerian soups. Practically every Nigerian tribe has their own version of egusi soup. Egusi is melon seed that is shelled and ground into a powder before adding it to the soup. It is nutty and mildly sweet, with the rich oil from the egusi seeds making it taste delectable.
Egusi soup is so versatile, it can be paired with a number of other soups e.g Egusi and ogbono soup, or different starches, like fufu or white rice.
4. Beans Porridge
In Nigeria, there are many ways beans is prepared but beans porridge is very popular and universal. Mothers believe beans porridge is highly nutritious and will make a child grow taller, so they make sure it features regularly on the dinner table.
Beans porridge is a one-pot dish that is very easy to cook and tastes delightful. It can be eaten on its own or served alongside rice and stew, fried or boiled plantains or yam, water-soaked garri, bread etc. Other ingredients like corn can be added to make Adalu, also plantains, yam, sweet potato, chopped liver, dry fish etc. are sometimes added to it.
5. Moi moi
Moi-Moi is a very popular beans pudding in Nigeria, made mostly with skinned black-eyed peas (white beans) or brown beans. It can be made using either whole beans puree or rehydrated beans powder, both taste delicious.
Moi-moi can be eaten on its own as a meal or served with a side of vegetable salad, pap and soaked garri or as an accompaniment to a variety of dishes e.g. rice or agidi (corn paste pudding). It is usually served alongside Nigerian Jollof at parties.