My Crafty Meals https://mycraftymeals.com a little bit of this and that Sun, 23 Jan 2022 19:46:46 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.9.2 188149543 Easy Fried Breaded Chicken Breast https://mycraftymeals.com/easy-fried-breaded-chicken-breast/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=easy-fried-breaded-chicken-breast https://mycraftymeals.com/easy-fried-breaded-chicken-breast/#respond Sat, 12 Mar 2022 01:06:00 +0000 https://mycraftymeals.com/?p=6915 Easy Fried Breaded Chicken Breast … I’ve always wondered about how to make crispy chicken breasts that can add to my meal repertoire. One can eat this with veggies, bread, tortilla, or on its own. On a “Beat Bobby Flay” episode on an unrelated “star of the dish”, one of […]

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Easy Fried Breaded Chicken Breast … I’ve always wondered about how to make crispy chicken breasts that can add to my meal repertoire. One can eat this with veggies, bread, tortilla, or on its own. On a “Beat Bobby Flay” episode on an unrelated “star of the dish”, one of the cooks opted to add breaded chicken to the meal, and showed 3 simple steps for making breaded crispy chicken – I then thought I could do that with my own flare! And, here it is …

Eat as a snack, lunch sandwich, or side to dinner.

Be sure to leave comment + rating on this recipe, and I’ll love to see your creation.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound chicken
  • 1 small red onion
  • 2 knorr cubes
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
  • 1 tablespoons black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (1/4 marinade; 1/4 flour/Panko)
  • 1 teaspoon Turmeric powder
  • 2 large eggs (used whites only)
  • 3 cups olive oil
  • Dutch Oven (or pot that can retain heat)

Directions

  1. Add sliced chicken breast. Knorr cubes crumbled, 1/4 teaspoon salt, small onion slices … let marinade for 2 hours or more.
  2. Mix in Flour 1/4 salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon Tumeric.
  3. Pour Panko breadcrumbs in a shallow pan.
  4. Beat eggs in shallow container … I only use egg whites. 
  5. Pour oil in Dutch Oven, and turn up heat slightly above medium. 
  6. Add slice of onion in the hot oil to see if hot enough.
  7. Rub chicken in flour -> egg -> breadcrumbs -> oil 
  8. Repeat for individual chicken strips. 
  9. Fry until golden brown.
  10. Enjoy!!!

 

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Irish Soda Bread https://mycraftymeals.com/irish-soda-bread-raisins/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=irish-soda-bread-raisins https://mycraftymeals.com/irish-soda-bread-raisins/#respond Sat, 12 Feb 2022 20:21:00 +0000 http://demo.wpzoom.com/petit/?p=14 Quick versatile raisin bread snack for morning, noon, evening.  Enjoy raisins, currants etc. … then this one is for you! This was one of the last things I learned to bake in the midst of the 2020/2021 quarantine.  I have family members who prefer less sugary foods, and this one […]

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Quick versatile raisin bread snack for morning, noon, evening.  Enjoy raisins, currants etc. … then this one is for you!

This was one of the last things I learned to bake in the midst of the 2020/2021 quarantine.  I have family members who prefer less sugary foods, and this one does it.

I remember seeking out raisin cinnamon bagels years ago in my teens/20’s … so when I stumbled upon this recipe, I had to try it.  The first attempt came up dry and bland; so trying this a second attempt and came out well.

The trick here is … well, not really a trick, but following the recipe to a “T”.  Don’t skim on the ingredients that provide moisture to the mix, especially Buttermilk.  Don’t overcook in the oven.

Eat for breakfast, lunch sandwiches, or as a side to dinner.

Be sure to leave comment + rating on this recipe, and I’ll love to see your creation.

Ingredients

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
  • 1 cup raisins or currants
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 3/4 cups buttermilk (make 1 cup of buttermilk by adding 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup of milk)
  • Bakeware Needed for Irish Soda Bread:  Cast iron skillet or baking sheet, Large mixing bowl, Whisk

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 425
     
     
  2. Coat a cast- iron skillet with nonstick cooking spray (I used Olive Oil) – Set aside.
     
     
  3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda & salt.
     
     
  4. Using your hands, work butter into flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Toss in raisins/currants.
     
     
  5. Add in buttermilk & egg & mix with a wooden spoon until combined. Dough will be sticky.
     
     
  6. Dust your hands with flour & dump dough onto a well-floured surface; knead it a few times into a round loaf until it just comes together. Do not over-knead!
     
     
  7. Transfer to the prepared skillet/baking sheet.
     
     
  8. Using a serrated knife, score an “X” on top of the dough about an inch deep.
     
     
  9. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a long, thin skewer inserted into the center comes out clean & the top is golden.
     
     
  10. Remove from oven (careful, handle of skillet will be HOT!!!) & allow to sit for 5-10 minutes.
     
     
  11. Transfer to a cutting board & slice. Serve with butter, jam or on.

A-Z
 

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Nigerian Baked Bean Cakes (Moi moi) https://mycraftymeals.com/baked-bean-cake-nigerian/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=baked-bean-cake-nigerian https://mycraftymeals.com/baked-bean-cake-nigerian/#comments Sat, 16 Oct 2021 20:25:00 +0000 http://demo.wpzoom.com/petit/?p=20 Nigerian Baked Bean cakes (Moi Moi). A burst of protein that tastes like a spluge … worth the effort to make every few weeks or so. Nigerians tend to cook a lot with legumes, and this was one of those recipes I learned growing up. However, it could be hit/miss […]

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Nigerian Baked Bean cakes (Moi Moi). A burst of protein that tastes like a spluge … worth the effort to make every few weeks or so.

Nigerians tend to cook a lot with legumes, and this was one of those recipes I learned growing up. However, it could be hit/miss if not spot-on with ingredients. Blended beans (without husk) is one of those transformations that does not compensate for lack of flavor, so this recipe calls for a generous amount of spices and other flavors to augment what could be the bland taste.

This is another one of those recipes that takes some commitment to make, but can be frozen, and stored for a future meal.  Best if reheated in the same form it was cooked to begin with.  Tough-out in the refrigerator over night, so it’s easy to cook on stove.  Put cans with moi-moi in a pot with some water, and cook on medium heat for 20 minutes (add a tablespoon of water in the cans so moisture helps it reheat evenly), and it’s almost as good as just cooked.

Let me know if you try this.

Be sure to leave a comment + rating on this recipe, and I’ll love to see your creation.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups of beans (black-eyed peas)
  • 3/4 medium red onion
  • 1 medium egg
  • 1 habanero pepper
  • 1 cup of chicken broth (and/or 1 chicken knorr cube)
  • 1 pound ground beef (85%/15%)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt, as needed
  • 1/4 cup Oil (Olive or Canola)

Directions

  1. Soak beans for at least 6 hours in room temperature water, fully immersed, and 2 inches of water above beans to allow beans to rise – I soak overnight when possible, to loosen fully husks from seed
  2. Use hands to peel off husks, rinse, and soak in water – you could leave husks on, which will make fritters fiber rich, but more coarse to eat
  3. Blend beans, onions, peppers, knorr cubes, and chicken stock, using puree or smoothie setting on Blender
  4. Using a sauce pan on medium heat on the stove, cook ground beef adding a knorr cube – set aside
  5. In a large pot add water that is about a 3rd the height of the cans that will go into it – put on medium heat
  6. Pour blended beans mixture into a large bowl – add curry and salt as needed, and mix by hand with a spatula
  7. Add the cooked ground beef to the blended bean mixture
  8. Taste for saltiness/flavor
  9. Add 1 raw egg (mostly whites) into mixture to help with binding – mixing properly to be fully blended
  10. Add 1/4 cup Oil into mixture – mixing properly to be fully blended
  11. Put a teaspoon of Oil to line the inside of the cans – no need to line the lids
  12. Scoop 1/2-3/4 cup of mixture into cans – you can stack cans as needed in the pot with boiling water
  13. Ensure water does not dry up in pot over a 45 minute cook time on medium heat
  14. Using a knife or fork dip into one of the moimoi filled cans to ensure no dripping or uncooked mixture
  15. Serve warm and enjoy!
  16. See photos, videos below to guide

 

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Mac and Cheese with 3 Cheeses https://mycraftymeals.com/macaroni-and-cheese/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=macaroni-and-cheese https://mycraftymeals.com/macaroni-and-cheese/#respond Sat, 18 Sep 2021 10:39:00 +0000 http://demo.wpzoom.com/petit/?p=63 Large pan of homemade mac&cheese converted into these cute portions or start with cupcakes, even better!

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Easy Homemade Mac and Cheese with multiple cheeses.  

I’ve always sought-out macaroni and cheese that’s a balance of creamy cheese and crunchy textures.  During my traveling days, I intentionally sought out the likes of Panera Bread outlets that served small portions of M&C with certain sandwiches and sides.  And I became intent to learn how to make it myself.

During 2020 quarantining, this was one of the under-takings a few of us did for a group zoom learning session.  We had a Chef walk us through tips and tricks to making macaroni and cheese!

Here are my takeaways, and customization after a few takes at this … and a large pan of homemade mac&cheese converted into these cute cupcake portions.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups elbow pasta
  • 6 tablespoon unsalted melted butter
  • 1/4 cup flour or corn starch
  • 3 cups of whole milk
  • 1 cup of cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup of asiago cheese
  • 1.1/2 cup of havarti cheese
  • 1 cup of panko bread crumbs OR crushed chips OR crushed crackers
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt, as needed
  • 2 knorr cubes/ boullion, as needed
  • 1 cup chicken stock (optional)
  • 6 heads of crimini mushrooms (optional)
  • Chicken breast (optional)
  • 3 strip of bacon (optional)
  • Equipment: 9×9 baking pan or cupcake pans

Directions

  1. Preheat oven 350 degrees
  2. Boil the pasta, drain. Follow instructions on box, cooking 1 minute less than al dente since it’ll cook more while baking
  3. Make the cheese sauce by combining a fat (butter), and starch (flour), then whisking in the milk products.
  4. Cook the sauce until it’s thick.
  5. Then Add in shredded cheeses, stir well.
  6. Combine cheese sauce with cooked pasta.
  7. Transfer half of the mac and cheese to a baking dish, sprinkle with more shredded cheese.
  8. Top with the rest of the mac and cheese, add sprinkles of shredded cheese.
  9. Top with breadcrumbs, crushed chips, OR crushed Crackers
  10. Or repeat the last 3 Steps in cupcake pan with individual cupcakes
  11. Bake for 30 minutes or until browned

 

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Easy Homemade Mac and Cheese Cupcakes https://mycraftymeals.com/homemade-mac-cheese-cupcakes/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=homemade-mac-cheese-cupcakes https://mycraftymeals.com/homemade-mac-cheese-cupcakes/#respond Sat, 04 Sep 2021 14:48:00 +0000 http://demo.wpzoom.com/petit/?p=152 Easy Homemade Mac and Cheese Cupcakes.  Simple, quick, flavorful snack-sized!

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Easy Homemade Mac and Cheese Cupcakes.  Simple, quick, flavorful snack-sized!  

I’ve always sought-out macaroni and cheese that’s a balance of creamy cheese and crunchy textures.

While I enjoy a good mac & cheese bite, I usually can’t eat large portions at a time (too rich), so I concocted a recipe … peered-down ingredients while modifying ratios of cheese and toppings.

And to manage portions … what better way than bake in a cup cake baking pan 🙂 ?

So here it is.

Let me know what you think with a comment + rating on this recipe, and I’ll love to see your creation.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups of elbow pasta (or penne)
  • 4 tablespoon unsalted melted butter
  • 1 1/2 cups of whole milk
  • 1 cup of Havarti cheese
  • 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs or crushed crackers
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt, as needed
  • 1/2 cup chicken stock (optional)
  • 4 heads of crimini mushrooms (optional)
  • Equipment: cupcake pans

Directions

  1. Preheat oven 350 degrees
  2. Boil the pasta, drain. Follow instructions on box, using the chicken stock as part of the fluid (optional) – cooking 1 minute less than al dente since it’ll cook more while baking
  3. Make the cheese sauce by combining a fat (butter), starch (flour), then whisking in the milk
  4. Cook the sauce for about 10 minutes, until it’s thick.
  5. Combine cheese sauce with cooked pasta in a bowl, and stir
  6. Rub olive oil to the bottom of cupcake baking pan
  7. Transfer mac and cheese mix into baking pan, and top with crushed Crackers
  8. Bake for 30 minutes or until browned

 

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Nigerian Black-eyed Peas with Plantains https://mycraftymeals.com/nigerian-black-eyed-peas-beans-plantains/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=nigerian-black-eyed-peas-beans-plantains https://mycraftymeals.com/nigerian-black-eyed-peas-beans-plantains/#respond Sat, 21 Aug 2021 20:22:00 +0000 https://mycraftymeals.com/?p=6549 Nigerian Black-eyed Peas with Plantains. Filling healthy dish - protein from grains and vegetable!

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Filling healthy dish – protein from grains and vegetable! Refrigerate for a couple of days, but freeze if storing for longer.

Nigerians tend to cook a lot with legumes, and this was one of those recipes I learned growing up. Unlike the black-eyed peas fritters that changes its form (https://mycraftymeals.com/nigerian-black-eye-peas-fritters-akara-kosai/) I try to stay measured with ingredients when cooking whole beans, not to overwhelm the taste of the beans itself.

While beans is one of those foods that does not compensate for lack of flavor, I’ll say this recipe calls for more vegetable flavors, and less spices. This tends to lead to healthy debates with my mom, and others who cook beans with a lot of condiments. 🙂

This is a relatively easy meal to cook. Put all ingredients in with enough water, and let cook for 45 minutes to an hour, depending on how soft one wants the beans.

Let me know if you try this.

Be sure to leave a comment + rating on this recipe, and I’ll love to see your creation. 

Ingredients

  • 2 cups of beans
  • 4 cups of water
  • 2/3 cup of vegetable oil… some people use Palm Oil or mix both. (1 tablespoon melted palm oil should suffice)
  • 1 set of knorr cubes
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt, as needed
  • 1 habanero pepper, or any as desired
  • 2 medium-sized plantains … depending on size of frying pan, need at least 1 cup of vegetable oil for fying

Directions

  1. Add all ingredients and 2 cups of water in a small pot on medium heat
  2. Add 2 more cups of water after 20-25 minutes … I usually taste and add more salt, peppers, or onions, at this time, as needed
  3. Cook for another 25-30 minutes … depending on how much moisture you want in the beans – make sure the beans does not over dry and burn … burnt beans I’ve found to be unsalvageable
  4. Slice plantains like you would a banana
  5. Fry plantains until brown, as shown in photos below
  6. Serve warm and enjoy!

 

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Lean Beef Meatballs https://mycraftymeals.com/lean-beef-meatballs/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=lean-beef-meatballs https://mycraftymeals.com/lean-beef-meatballs/#respond Sat, 29 May 2021 21:03:00 +0000 http://demo.wpzoom.com/petit/?p=76 Flavorful Lean Beef Meatballs.  This was my first attempt at making meatballs ... not too shabby!

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Lean Beef Meatballs.  My first attempt at making meatballs … not too shabby!  This was spun from an online recipe: https://www.iheartnaptime.net/meatball-recipe/ (Note:  I have not interacted with any of the authors of this site, but this recipe appears to be one of the simplest and most accommodating out there)

I don’t remember where I first tried meatballs, but somehow found myself on the hunt for good meatballs.  So, I finally decided to try making this myself.  Found multiple recipes online, chose this one, added my own aspects to it, and will continue to finesse. 

Let me know what you think with a comment + rating on this recipe, and I’ll love to see your creation.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound 80% lean ground beef (or half ground pork) – O.G. I used 85%/15% lean ground beef
  • 1 large egg (beaten)
  • 1/4 cup breadcrumbs – O.G. I substituted with crushed butter crackers
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped onion – O.G. I love onions, used 1/2 cup of red
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic – O.G. I skipped this
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 Tablespoons Chopped fresh Italian flat leaf parsley (optional) – O.G. I skipped this

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with non-stick spray. 
  2. Combine the meat, egg, cracker crumbs, cheese, salt, onion, and black pepper in a bowl. Stir just until combined, do not over mix. Add a Tablespoon or two of water (or stock), as needed to keep mixture wet. 
  3. Use a medium cookie scoop or spoon to scoop the meat. Then form into 1 1/2″  balls and place on the pan. 
  4. Bake uncovered for 17-20 minutes, or until no longer pink in the middle. 

Photos from my kitchen
 

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Lean Beef Meatballs with Homemade Sauce https://mycraftymeals.com/lean-beef-meatball-tomato-sauce/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=lean-beef-meatball-tomato-sauce https://mycraftymeals.com/lean-beef-meatball-tomato-sauce/#comments Sat, 29 May 2021 15:03:00 +0000 http://demo.wpzoom.com/petit/?p=96 Flavorful Lean Beef Meatballs with easy to make Homemade Tomato sauce.  You'll return for 2nd's, 3rd's etc.! 

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Flavorful Lean Beef Meatballs with easy to make Homemade Tomato sauce.  You’ll return for 2nd’s, 3rd’s etc.! 

Lean Beef Meatballs was spun from an online recipe: https://www.iheartnaptime.net/meatball-recipe/ (Note:  I have not interacted with any of the authors of this site, but this recipe appears to be one of the simplest and most accommodating out there)

I don’t remember where I first tried meatballs, but somehow found myself on the hunt for good meatballs.  So, I finally decided to try making this myself.  Found multiple recipes online, chose this one, added my own aspects to it, and will continue to finesse. 

As you would have read, I spent some of my formative years in Nigeria.  Culturally, Africans make soups/stews as key parts of most meals, and I learnt how to cook a few.  This sauce here was gleaned from a classic Nigerian tomato stew … with less oil, more vegetable based ingredients, and a meatball sauce is made!

Let me know what you think with a comment + rating on this recipe, and I’ll love to see your creation.

Ingredients

  • MEATBALLS:
  • 1 pound 80% lean ground beef (or half ground pork) – O.G. I used 85%/15%
  • 1 large egg (beaten)
  • 1/4 cup breadcrumbs – O.G. I substituted with crushed butter crackers
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped onion – O.G. I love onions, used 1/2 cup of red
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic – O.G. I skipped this
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt – O.G. I used sea salt and  only 1/2 teaspoon
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 Tablespoons Chopped fresh Italian Flat leaf parsley (optional) – O.G. I skipped this
  • SAUCE:
  • 5 medium “Better Boy” or “Beefsteak” tomatoes
  • 2 large red bell peppers
  • 1 medium red onion and 1 yellow/sweet onion
  • 2 medium jalapeno peppers
  • 1/2 cup chicken stock – see my recipe for making savory chicken stock from scratch
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt – or as needed

Directions

MEATBALLS (steps 1-4) and SAUCE (steps 5-9):

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with non-stick spray. 
  2. Combine the meat, egg, cracker crumbs, cheese, salt, onion, and black pepper in a bowl. Stir just until combined, do not over mix. Add a Tablespoon or two of water (or stock), as needed to keep mixture wet. 
  3. Use a medium cookie scoop or spoon to scoop the meat. Then form into 1 1/2″  balls and place on the pan. 
  4. Bake uncovered for 17-20 minutes, or until no longer pink in the middle. 
  5. Slice and blend tomatoes, peppers, and onions, together – based on your preferences, can fully puree or allow for texture in the blended mix to allow for hearty sauce 
  6. Pour blended mix into saucepan, cooking mix on medium heat until dry
  7. Add chicken stock and steam on low heat stirring continuously until fully ingratiated
  8. Add meatballs into sauce and simmer for 5-10 minutes
  9. Enjoy!!!

 

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Butter Biscuits https://mycraftymeals.com/butter-biscuits/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=butter-biscuits https://mycraftymeals.com/butter-biscuits/#respond Sat, 15 May 2021 15:32:00 +0000 http://demo.wpzoom.com/petit/?p=23 Buttery Simple Biscuits.  Easy to make, serve sweet, savory, or plain ... I also prefer browner biscuits, but can stay light golden with less baking time. 

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Buttery Biscuits.  Simple, easy to make, serve sweet, savory, or plain … I also prefer browner biscuits, but can stay light golden with less baking time.

I had never been one to eat biscuits, until stumbling upon one of these cooking shows that walks through how-to’s, “America’s Test Kitchen”.  During this episode they had run through a tutorial for making cheese-stuffed biscuits.  With embarking on my recent baking adventures, this was one I decided to try making.

When cooking/baking I often consider the how long it can be stored and kept fresh – so this recipe is without the cheese stuffing.  The plain biscuits freeze well, pop them into the oven at 350 for 20 minutes, and voila! Fresh …

The versatility of biscuits is quite inviting … burger sliders, egg sandwiches, honey, and more!

How do you like your biscuits?

Let me know what you think with a comment + rating on this recipe, and I’ll love to see your creation.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups all purpose Flour
  • 3 teaspoon Baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon Cream of Tartar
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 table spoon Sugar
  • 1 1/2 cup Butter – (cold) tiny cubed/minced
  • 1 1/2 cup Milk – whole, half, or buttermilk
  • 1 egg for wash

Directions

  1. Cut Butter into small cubes, and put in freezer for 10 minutes
  2. Preheat oven 425F (218 C) degrees
  3. Mix all dry ingredients together – Flour, Baking Powder, Cream of Tartar, Sugar, and Salt
  4. Combine Butter cubes with dry mix without breaking cubes – use fingers to mix in
  5. Combine Milk with Flour and Butter textured mix, breaking cubes – use spatula
  6. Line Baking tray with parchment paper and dusting of Flour
  7. Scoop 1/2 cup of dough onto tray
  8. Use egg wash on all dough balls
  9. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown – images below were baked for 17 minutes
  10. Let sit for 5 minutes before taking out of pan

 

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Nigerian Black-eyed Peas Fritters (Akara) https://mycraftymeals.com/nigerian-black-eye-peas-fritters-akara-kosai/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=nigerian-black-eye-peas-fritters-akara-kosai https://mycraftymeals.com/nigerian-black-eye-peas-fritters-akara-kosai/#comments Sat, 01 May 2021 21:47:00 +0000 https://mycraftymeals.com/?p=5964 Nigerian Black-eyed Peas Fritters (Akara). A burst of protein that tastes like a splurge ... worth the effort to make every few weeks or so.

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A burst of protein that tastes like a splurge … worth the effort to make every few weeks or so.

Nigerians tend to cook a lot with legumes, and this was one of those recipes I learned growing up. However, it could be hit/miss if not spot-on with ingredients. Blended beans (without husk) is one of those transformations that does not compensate for lack of flavor, so this recipe calls for a generous amount of spices and other flavors to augment what could be the bland taste.

This is another one of those recipes that takes some commitment to make, but can be frozen, and stored for a future meal. Warm-up in oven, wrapped enclosed in tin foil, at 350 F for 20 minutes, and it’s almost as good as just cooked.

Let me know if you try this.

Be sure to leave a comment + rating on this recipe, and I’ll love to see your creation. 

Note: Recently being featured on Top 35 Black Food Bloggers on Feedspot, I decided to dedicate this episode to a classic Nigerian meal:

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups of beans (black-eyed peas)
  • 3/4 medium red onion
  • 1 medium egg
  • 1 habanero pepper
  • 1 cup of chicken broth (and/or 1 chicken knorr cube)
  • 1/2 teaspoon curry powder, as preferred
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt, as needed
  • Light Oil (Olive or Canola) – enough to fully immerse fritters when frying in deep sauce pan

Directions

  1. Soak beans for at least 6 hours in room temperature water, fully immersed, and 2 inches of water above beans to allow beans to rise – I soak overnight when possible, to loosen fully husks from seed
  2. Use hands to peel off husks, rinse, and soak in water – you could leave husks on, which will make fritters fiber rich, but more coarse to eat
  3. Blend beans, onions, peppers, knorr cubes, and chicken stock, using puree or smoothie setting on Blender
  4. Pour blended mixture in a large bowl – add curry and salt as needed, and mix by hand with a spatula
  5. Add oil in deep sauce pan / pot, and heat on medium stove – tip: drop a small slice of onion in the oil to observe how hot oil is. It should show a quick but steady fry … not overwhelming effervescence or onion quickly burns
  6. Using a rounded spoon, scoop and carefully drop blended beans mix into the hot oil
  7. See photos, videos below to guide

 

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