Everything there is to know about (Akara) Beans cake. Recipe

 AKARA: A Delight or a Waste of Time?

Have you ever had food  that you can:

• Relish with every bite?

• Take as a snack after a long day at work or school?

• Munch on-the-go while at work?

You may or may not, but I have and it’s one I trust you will love dearly.

AKARA is a food item common in West Africa, especially Nigeria. It is also called bean cake, Kosai by Hausas, and Koose by Ghanaians.  It’s similar to Moi moi; we make both from bean puree. Moi moi is either  baked or steamed while Akara is fried. In most Nigerian homes, we regularly take Akara for breakfast during weekends. AKARA is an appetizer, street food, and an on-the-go snack.

Guess what? AKARA is easy and quick to prepare. It takes less than 30 minutes to prepare depending on the quantity though.

AKARA has different flavors based on how you prepare it. You can fry Akara with vegetable oil, palm oil, or even make Akara chips (made with cassava flour)

                          How to make Fluffy Akara at Home.

7 Ingredients for Akara

• Black-eyed beans (You can also brown beans for Akara)

• Onions

• Pepper (scotch bonnet, chili pepper)

• Vegetable oil

• Salt

• Seasoning cubes

• Crayfish (optional)

Let’s make Akara in 5 easy steps.

1. Soak your beans for 20-25 minutes till the coat is soft. Peel the beans with your hands; remove the coat with a sieve.

2. Blend the peeled beans with crayfish, pepper, and onions. Add a little water to make a paste. The paste shouldn’t be too smooth.

3. Add salt, seasoning cubes, and diced onions (if you want) For  fluffy Akara, whisk the paste with a wooden spoon or mixer to expel air.

4. Set your pan with vegetable oil on medium-high heat. Wait till the oil is hot. To test the oil, add a little paste. If it floats, the oil is ready.

Now, scoop the paste into hot oil.

5. Fry for 2-3 minutes before flipping the sides of the Akara to ensure it’s well cooked. Fry until golden brown. Remove the Akara balls from the oil and drain them in a paper towel. 

Akara is ready! How did it go? Give your feedback in the comment box.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• For Akara balls, the paste shouldn’t be too smooth. 

• Akara needs only a little water. Watery paste consumes oil and gives flat Akara.

• Only use oil enough for frying unless you want Akara to soak oil.

• Be careful when adding salt to the paste.

Worried about what to eat Akara with? Have you tried Akara sandwich before? Akara sandwich is Akara stuffed in bread (loaf or slice) 

          Photo credit: Nkechajaeroh.com

This combo is nice, isn’t it? People also take Akara with Garri, corn starch, Pap(fermented corn pudding) and  Custard. Akara is healthy food.

Nutritional values of Akara

Akara is nutritious and easily digestible. It contains nutrients like:

• Fat 

• Sodium 

• Potassium 

• Magnesium 

• Fiber 

• Sugar 

• Protein and Calories

So what do you think? Is Akara really a waste of time or a food worth your time? I’d love to know in the comment box. Stay connected to this blog for more recipes. see a guide on how to prepare the irresistible Nigerian noodles