#1 EKPANG NKUKWO

COUNTRY/STATE (TRIBE):
Nigeria/ Akwa Ibom (Ibibio, Annang and Oron) & Cross River State (Efik).

ABOUT:
Ekpang Nkukwo is a traditional luxury dish of the Akwa Ibomites. It is made from cocoyam and a small quantity of water yam, both grated and wrapped into balls in fresh cocoyam, spinach or pumpkin leaves. This meal is greatly enjoyed by many and contains the basic classes of food. To crown it up is its flavour and taste which is mouth-watering.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1kg of Cocoyam, peeled, washed and grated
• 100g of Water yam, peeled, washed and grated (optional).
• Fresh Cocoyam, Spinach or Pumpkin leaves.
• 6 cups of stock
• 500g of Meat, Goat meat, Snails or Fish (optional)
• 300g of Dried Fish
• 200g of Stockfish, slightly cooked
• 3/4 Cup of Crayfish
• 2 Cups of prawns or shrimps
• 5 Cups of Shelled Periwinkle (optional)
• Chilli Pepper to taste
• 3 Cubes of maggi
• Salt to taste
• 2 Medium sized Onion bulb
• 2 Cups of Palm Oil
• 2 Table spoons of scent leaf, chopped
• 2 Cups of Hot Water

DIRECTIONS:

• Season and boil the meat to get out the stock.
• Cook the shelled periwinkle in salted water for about 5 minutes and wash properly.
• Pour the periwinkle in the pot to form a base.
• Add one cup of palm oil.
• Crush and sprinkle the cocoyam and water yam mixture with over 1 cube of Maggi and about 1/2 tablespoon of salt and mix properly with a wooden stick or finger tips.
• Use the fresh Cocoyam, Spinach or Pumpkin leaves to make small wraps with the cocoyam and water yam mixture starting from one tip of the leaf to the other end.
• Make wraps until all the mixture is finished
• Put the ekpang (wrapped cocoyam and water yam mixture) on fire and add the 2 cups of hot water and steam for about 5mins
• Add the meat, dried fish and stockfish
• Add the crayfish, chilli pepper, onions, maggi cubes
• Add the stock and allow to cook for about 15mins on medium heat
• Add the shrimps, remaining palm oil, scent leaf and salt to taste
• Stir and slightly cut through with a knife
• If it still isn't properly cooked, add a little more water and allow to cook further on low heat
• Your Meal is ready to be served

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