Nigerian meals | Zikoko!

Okra may be a meal best served as soup to you, but it’s really a vegetable you can do so much more with. I’ve taken the time to help you find 11 okra recipes to get into.

Send us pictures when you attempt any of them!

Okra Ice Cream

Credit: Brooke Allen, Edible Tulsa

Y’all are out here eating ice cream and plantain, so don’t act shocked. A 2014 study showed that the okra can help retain the texture of ice cream as it freezes and unfreezes. And although not everyone is trying it out, there are people making it work like this guy.

Recipe
- Steal a bowl of ice cream because things are tough on Buhari’s streets. I’d say go with vanilla.
- Get to chopping up that okra and mix mix mix.
Fried okra and pepper

Photo credit: tsunad, gourmandize

It’s like eating fried potato and pepper sauce. Once the okra is fried, there’s no sliminess to deal with. And to make it even tastier, put in an egg, mix with corn meal, throw in a dash of pepper and salt, and fry until golden brown.

Here’s a recipe you can follow from Allrecipes.

Stir-fry okra with noodles

Yes, there’s nothing that doesn’t exist under the sun. But I don’t need to say too much about this dish. Buy noodles and follow this Asian recipe I found on Youtube.

RELATED: 9 Ingredients You Need to Make Yoruba Stew

Okra stew

Photo credit: Yumna Jawad

Like chicken or beef stew, okra stew is an everyday business in Lebanon, and I’m not mad at it.

Here’s the recipe

Okra kimchi

I can’t forget our K-drama fans on this okra journey. We already showed you how to make cucumber kimchi, so switch things out with okra, and you have a whole new dish.

Okra and fried eggs

Photo credit: cookwhenbored, cookpad

For the fitfam crew. Okra is a vegetable, so paired with onions, scotch bonnets and sausages on the side, you have a breakfast for champions. You’re welcome.

Okra pie

Look, hear me out. We’re already finding strange things like macaroni in meat pies, so why not okra? And for the bougie people, what’s the difference between this and shepherd’s pie?

Here’s how to make it as a shepherd’s pie or meat pie.

RELATED: I Found the Best Meat Pie in Nigeria, It’s in Jos

Okra chips

Photo credit: Lana Stuart, Lana’s cooking

Plaintain chips, potato chips, okra chips, they’re all chips.

Okra oatmeal

Photo credit: humbleherbivore, feed feed

Since oatmeal has a slightly slimy feel already, the okra fits right in. If you’re not much of a sweet tooth, or maybe you’re a hardened criminal on the loose, you may find this appealing.

Okra and plantain pottage

I’m amazed at the things people think of because, why? But if you’re a plantain lover that needs this in life, here’s a video to jump on.

Okra pancakes

Photo credit: Louisiana cookin

Out of everything I found, this pancake recipe hurt me the most.

For getting to the end of this article, I’ll grant you one wish:

Which of the okra recipes would you like Zikoko writers to try? Tell me here, and I’ll make it happen.

Also, read this article to remember your Nigerian roots: 12 Things You Can Add to Okro Soup for a Different Taste
Ortega

July 19, 2022

Chopist

Nigerian meals, Okra, Quick recipes
Thyme, curry and crayfish are the staples of a typical Nigerian kitchen. If you have any more spices, are you sure you’re not doing too much?

1. White pepper

If it’s not red, is it really pepper? White pepper is the spice keeping creamy pasta and seafood dishes around. Think of it as a version of dried red peppers with a more pungent flavour and smell. The only upside is the fact that it’s hotter than black pepper. But why do you have white pepper in your house when you’re not opening a restaurant?

2. Black pepper

Black pepper isn’t even spicy, so why this? What can it do that fresh red pepper and suya pepper can’t achieve? If you have black pepper in your kitchen, you know it’s just occupying space on the shelf. How many times have you even used it? Don’t lie.

RELATED: Here’s Proof That Nigerians Will Put Pepper in Anything

3. Cinnamon

First of all, cinnamon overpowers everything it touches. I know cinnamon toast lovers will come for me, but all you need is fluffy agege bread with akara. Cinnamon is an overkill, please

4. Nutmeg

I’ll excuse the people using this for pastries. But it’s the people that add nutmeg to jollof rice for me. Why? Nutmeg is sweet and completely throws off the taste of smoky jollof. Keep it strictly for pastries, please.

RELATED: 10 Food Combinations Nigerians Need To Normalise

5. Turmeric

Apart from staining every single thing it touches, what is the purpose of turmeric in your kitchen?

6. Cumin

If you have curry powder, then you’re not missing out on cumin. I agree it adds a nice smell to food, but are we eating aroma? No. So, please dear.

7. Oregano

Oregano is like the minty version of thyme, so having it in your house is simply oversabi. You don’t need it.

8. Rock salt

Why do you need rock salts when it tastes like regular salt? It’s basically an overpriced version of salt, and in this economy, what are you trying to prove?

QUIZ: Score 9/11 to Prove That Your Food Isn’t Tasteless

Ortega

April 5, 2022

Chopist

Food, Nigerian Food, Nigerian meals
It’s an undeniable fact that eating food is an amazing experience, but you know what hits better than good food? Free food! With the economy alone, free food is everything a Nigerian needs. As long as it doesn’t involve a debit alert, eating these eight foods brings bliss.

1. Snail

Even before inflation held us by the neck, snails were already for the elite. As slimy and slow as they are, those suckers cost a lot. What’s more annoying is the fact that you can spend ₦3k for only four pieces of snails. That fourth one is by the grace of God. If anyone buys you peppered snail, please hug them.

2. A seafood platter

Except you own a canoe and can navigate the deep blue waters of the Atlantic, a seafood platter is best served when a sponsor provides the money to pay. The most annoying part is how tiny everything on the plate is. From the calamari to the shrimp, they’re all so tiny. I also believe we’re all pretending to love oysters, but that’s for another day. Seafood tastes so damn good. Dear anon, please take a cue.

3. Asun

As much as goats are cute pets, they make even better as asun. Who doesn’t like soft and succulent meat? The only issue is, goats are expensive. Very expensive. Eating asun these days is a gift. If you see anyone bringing out their card to pay for a plate of asun, eat them. Our motto is: eat the rich.

RELATED: Goats Are Better Pets Than Dogs or Cats. We Can Explain

4. Pasta

Ah…pasta. The enjoyment badge for every happening babe. As tasty as they are, they cost a ridiculous amount. Imagine someone charging you ₦9k for spaghetti you can boil at home. Well, I guess that’s the price for enjoyment.

5. Anything beans

Forget the days of ₦10 for one akara. Now, akara is rolling with the big boys. A bag of beans is now almost ₦80k and the akara sellers are out for blood. Please what are you people eating with your agege bread on Saturday morning? If it’s akara just know you’re a thief.

6. Lamb chops

Hm… is there any need to say more? Bite anybody using a fork and knife to eat lamb chops and mashed potatoes outside. Except they can point to the person that paid, they’re rolling with Abba Kyari. Besides the criminal price for lamb chops, they’re so succulent and juicy. It’s unfair they cost so much.

7. Waffles or pancakes

The fluffier the better. The weird thing is how affordable they are, but why do you want to waste your money on something that will disappear in less than 30 minutes? Why? There’s no need. It’s either you make the flat pancake at home, or not eat it at all.

RELATED: A Very Nigerian Pancake Recipe

8. Small chops

Just like pancakes, small chops bang, but why waste your money? It’s just five pieces of savoury items thrown in foil paper. Drag someone to buy it for you. It’ll taste even better. The puff puff is fresher when it’s someone else’s ₦1k. Better yet, go and stand in front of one owambe and beg.

ALSO READ: 9 Nigerian Meals We Love to Eat but Never Cook Ourselves

Ortega

March 20, 2022

Chopist

Food, Nigerian meals
Bukkas will always have a special place in our hearts. Why? There are some of your favourite meals you’d say “God forbid” to making, but eat like a chairman when someone else decides to cook it. Here are nine of them:

1. Starch and banga

Southerners love a good serving of banga soup, but you see the stress? First, you’ll wash a whole bag of palm kennels, then boil and pound it with strength only the ancestors can give. You think you’re done? LOL.. Next, you’ll extract the juice to boil for hours. Why all this for food that’ll finish in under ten minutes? After all of that, you’ll now start turning starch with the remaining power you have. No, thank you. If you cook it I will eat sha.

2. Pounded yam

Shout out to the bukkas that continue to do the Lord’s work. Anybody that hates pounded yam is probably a semo lover. Feel free and those are the people to disrespect semo lovers when you see them. As much as pounded yam feels islike an elite masterpiece we need to eat every day, the energy to carry mortar and a pistol is not the soft life we’re here for.

3. Anything made from beans

The only way to eat moi-moi and akara in peace is to buy them. Every other option requires at least two hours of dedication. Yes, there are hacks to washing beans, but who will pick all the stones inside? Let’s not even talk about the people still using leaves for moi-moi. They’ve renounced anything that has to do with enjoyment because, why?

4. Ofada rice and stew

This is a meal strictly for Iya Sukirat down the road to make. Anybody that can get up unprovoked to make ofada rice and stew has received nine lives from the gods. They’re practically cultists. Feel free to beg them for food sha.

5. Fried rice

JSometimes I feel jollof rice is your main boo because fried rice is that expensive, high maintenance side piece. Why do I need to spend half of the time I’ll use to fry tomato and pepper to cut vegetables and other orisirisi for fried rice? And if you comment about the vegetables that are already cut and packed in supermarkets, I will bite you. Stop it.

6. Ekpang nkukwo

If you’re big on delayed gratification, this is the food to really test your patience. You don’t want to be in the house when a Calabar woman decides to cook ekpang nkukwo. Just find somewhere to stay because you will grate cassava tire, and that’s only the beginning. This food literally takes the whole day to cook.

7. Black soup

This is one food you can’t start and finish on your own. You will wash bitter leaf like it’s white socks after secondary school inter-house sports day. If you’re craving this food, I suggest you practice self care. Pick up a plate and go to Iya Sukirat’s place.

8. Ukpo Oka (Corn pudding)

It’s the advanced version of moi-moi made from corn. This is a meal you leave for your grandma to cook because only she has the time.. Corn is already stressful to eat, then imagine sitting to take out corn from 30-40 cobs. No dear, wait for grandma or buy it.

9. Abacha

It’s super easy to make, but it always tastes better when someone else goes through the stress of making it. If it’s not from the woman down the road, it ruins the enjoyment in abacha. Try and make it yourself and see.

Ortega

February 26, 2022

Chopist

Food in Nigeria, food struggles, Funny memes, Nigerian meals
Pepper Soup is a watery dish made in different parts of the world with different techniques and ingredients. Countries and cultures around the world have their different version of it. Peppersoup has a lot of nutritional and health benefits. Nigerian pepper soup comes in different forms. There is the goat meat pepper soup, fish pepper soup and many other different variations of the meal.

The condiments included in the meal is all dependent on the preference of the person cooking it. The most important thing when learning how to make pepper soup is getting the right balance of flavours. Here’s how to make pepper soup.

Ingredients

Hot pepper

Uziza leaves

Crayfish

Pepper soup spices

Seasoning cubes

Onion (small onions)

Salt (for flavour)

Water (depends on how much peppersoup you are making)

Your choice of protein (Goat meat, fish, chicken)

Plantain, yam or potatoes (optional)

Cooking instructions
1. Wash your choice of protein and cut them into cutlets. Transfer the cut out pieces of protein into a cooking pot and add your seasoning cubes, salt, hot peppers and some onions and cook for 30 mins. Some proteins do not need to cook for as long as 30 mins.
2. After the protein has cooked for an adequate amount of time, add the peppersoup spice, ground ginger and some ground pepper (ata gigun) into the pot and cook for another 10 mins. Add the uziza leaves when the mix has cooked well.

3. If cooked with either plantain, yam or potatoes, please add in the plantain, yam or potato when the peppersoup spice is being cooked.

4. Ensure the cooking time is a little longer than 10 mins so the plantain, yam or potatoes can be properly cooked. You can also make sure of pre-boiled yam, plantains or potatoes to avoid overcooking the proteins.
Ibukun

August 27, 2021

Chopist

delicacy, delicious, Food, Nigerian meals, peppersoup