LounjeLounjePlan my week

Aadun Ekuru

Also known as Aadun Ekuru (Yoruba Corn and Bean Cake)

Aadun Ekuru is a traditional Yoruba snack combining the roasted corn base of Aadun with a layer of Ekuru — a steamed white bean pudding similar to Moin Moin but made simply with pure white bean paste, no colour or pepper. The two components — rich palm-oil-bound roasted corn and soft protein-rich white bean — are combined to create a nutritionally complete snack with both carbohydrate and protein in a single bite.

Aadun Ekuru, Nigerian cooking

Ingredients

  • 1.5 big cups of roasted corn flour (oka ijebu)
  • 2 cooking spoons of red palm oil
  • 1 teaspoon of ground chilli
  • Half a teaspoon of salt FOR THE EKURU (white bean layer):
  • 1 big cup of black-eyed peas, soaked and peeled
  • Half a small onion
  • A pinch of salt
  • Banana leaves or foil for steaming

Method

  1. 01

    Making the Ekuru. Blend peeled black-eyed peas with onion and a tiny amount of water to form a thick, smooth, pure white paste. Season with salt only — no pepper, no colour. Pour into banana leaf wrappers or foil. Steam for 20 to 25 minutes until firm. Allow to cool and cut into slices.

  2. 02

    Making the Aadun. Mix roasted corn flour with palm oil, ground chilli and salt. Should be crumbly but hold together when pressed.

  3. 03

    Combining. Press a layer of Aadun firmly into a small mould. Place a slice of Ekuru on top. Press down. Unmould. The finished Aadun Ekuru should hold its layered shape — corn base with white bean topping.

  4. 04

    Serving. Serve at room temperature as a traditional snack.

More street food