It is very common to see Moi Moi (Moin Moin) served at parties, wedding ceremonies and other festive occasions.
Moi Moi (Moin Moin) is usually eaten alone as a meal , but most times it is served with other Nigerian foods such as Pap(Ogi or Akamu), Fried rice, Boiled white rice and stew, Jollof Rice an a lot more.
Benefits of Moi Moi
1. Moi Moi helps with easy bowel movements by promoting a regular visit to the toilet. It contains high fiber content that plays a crucial role in improving the quality of stool and promoting a regular visit to the toilet. The high amount of fiber in beans reduces constipation. Moreover, consuming adequate fiber promotes satiety which could help prevent obesity.
2. The Medtrend magazine also noted another important health benefit of Moi Moi. Beans have been discovered to contain insulin which is very beneficial to diabetics. Most Moi Moi are made after peeling off the skin. But in order to reap this benefit, you may have to leave the skin of the beans when making your homemade Moi Moi. Additionally, the onion and pepper used in making Moi Moi will give you additional dose of essential vitamins.
How to prepare Moi Moi
This delicious meal can be cooked in various ways . The most common method is cooking Moi Moi in bowls, Aluminium Foil Bags, Banana Leaves, Uma Leaves(Thaumatococcus Daniellii) or in heat proof nylons.Below is an easy to follow recipe. Enjoy!
Nigerian Moi Moi ingredients
- 700g Black eyed or brown beans(1 big derica tin)
- 1 Tatashe(red bell pepper)
- 1 scotch bonnet pepper( atarodo/fresh pepper)
- 2 cooking spoonful Vegetable Oil
- 1 tablespoonful concentrated tomato puree (for extra color, but optional )
- 4 Tablespoonful ground Crayfish
- 2 large Onions bulbs
- Eggs OR boiled minced meat OR Bone Marrow OR Corned beef OR deboned smoked fish OR deboned boiled fish
- 3 bouillon/stock cubes for Seasoning(Maggi/Knorr cubes)
- Water (as needed)
- Salt to taste
tip: 700g equals 1 big derica tin
-Cooking of Nigerian Moi Moi
Before you cook the Nigerian Moi Moi
*First soak the beans for about 1 hour (or overnight) and wash it, by scrubbing off the bean coat/skin.
Make sure to remove all the bean coat until you are left with white coat-less beans.
Here’s how to peel beans in 5 minutes
If you have a good blender, you can grind the beans at this point, but if not, let the coat-less beans soak in water again for at least 2 hours to soften it further.
Tip: Most blender can blend the beans after the first soaking , so you may not need to soak the beans any further.
** If you’re using bean flour check step 1 below
*Now choose what extra garnishes you want to add to the Moimoi;
If it’s eggs, boil the eggs, remove the shells and slice into small pieces, then set aside.
If it’s fresh fish, boil the fish,remove bones and cut into small pieces.
If you prefer corned beef or sardines, then take it out of the can, and set aside.
*Grease/Oil the containers you’ll be using.
If you prefer Banana Leaves/ Uma Leaves(Thaumatococcus Daniellii), then wash thoroughly and leave to dry out in a colander/sieve.
**Wash the peppers and slice the onions.
Now to cook the Moi moi…
1. Strain the beans, pour it into your blender(do this in batches).
Add the peppers(you can also add thick tomato paste, to give it more color).
Add the onions, crayfish and stock cubes.
Add a little water to help the blender work better. Grind the beans until you get a very smooth consistency, without granules or beans lumps.
If you’re using bean flour, mix the flour in a little water to form a thick paste, then pour the paste into a blender,add the peppers,onions, crayfish and stock cubes and blend until smooth.Then go to step 2
2. Pour the blended beans into a wide bowl;Stir and slowly add some water and continue stirring until you get a lighter consistency, but not too watery.
Now, add the vegetable oil, taste for salt and if need be, add a little salt(remember you already added stock cubes, so go easy on the salt).
Mix thoroughly and then take out your greased moi moi containers or moi moi leaves.
3. Pour the mixture into each of the containers and add your egg or any other garnishes you prefer. Seal or cover the containers and set aside.
4. Now, line the base of your pot with foil paper or the some moi moi leaves;
Pour in some water and set to boil. When the water is boiling, place the sealed Moi moi into the pot of boiling water and leave to steam.
5. As the Moi moi starts to cook. Add a little quantity of water from time to time,so that it doesn’t begin to burn underneath.
But be careful not to add to much water as it might get into the Moi moi containers and ruin the food by making it watery.
6. After about 45 minutes, put a knife through the Moi Moi; if the knife comes out clean, then the moi moi is ready. Note that the cooking time for Moi Moi depends on the type of container you are using and also on the quantity of moi moi you are cooking(5 pieces of Moi moi in a small pot, will definitely cook faster than 30 pieces of moimoi in a large pot).
If you are in doubt about whether the Moi moi is well cooked or not; it is advisable to leave it to cook for about 1 hour 30 minutes(adding some water occasionally). The moi moi tends to cook faster with the foil, nylons and leaves, but takes longer with the plastic bowl.
7. Now , take out the Moi moi from the pot and leave to cool a bit before unwrapping or turning it onto a plate. Enjoy!
Tip: A steamer is great for cooking Moi moi.
Another cool way to steam wrapped Moi moi without dipping it in water, is by
placing it into a metal colander or sieve, then place the colander inside a large pot that has a little water in it. Make sure the colander isn’t touching the water. Cover the pot and leave to cook. You can add a little water from time to time as the water evaporates.
Nigerian Moi Moi can be enjoyed alone or with any Nigerian Rice Recipes and a chilled drink.
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