My Recipe For Ekpang Nkukwo|| A step by step guide

Hello wonderful Chefs! Today, I want to show you guys my recipe for Ekpang Nkukwo.

Ekpang Nkukwo is a special local delicacy of the Efik and Ibibio people in the South-South region of Nigeria. Specifically, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states. It is a delicious meal which is cooked mostly on special occasions like traditional marriage, entertaining a guest, family gatherings and even caring for a nursing mother.

Ekpang Nkukwo means "wrapped with Nkukwo" which is cocoyam leaf (which can be substituted with potato leaf). It is prepared with Nkukwo that is yet to unfold itself completely.

This is an example of an unfolded Nkukwo Leaf

The Unfolding Leaf ( from my little garden)

INGREDIENTS
The ingredients needed are;
• Cocoyam
• Wateryam
• Cocoyam Leaf
• Pepper
• Crayfish
• Bouillon Cubes (Seasoning Cubes)
• Palm Oil
• Salt to taste
• Onions
• Shelled Periwinkle
• Basil Leaf
• Assorted meat (not necessary)

PROCEDURE
Peel and wash Cocoyams
Grate the Cocoyams

Add little salt to the grated Cocoyam
Carefully wash the shelled periwinkle
Add the periwinkle and palm oil to a clean pot
Cut the Cocoyam leaf to small pieces

Cut a sizable amount of the grated Cocoyam and wrap with a piece of the leaf. Do this until all the Cocoyam is wrapped.

Wrapping Nkukwo Leaf

Add about 1.5 litre of already boiled water and place to the pot over heat (depending on the desired quantity). The advantage of using boiled water over room temperature water is that the food gets thickened quickly.

Add your stock, ground crayfish, pepper, salt, bouillon cubes, onions and salt to taste.
Allow to cook for about 30 minutes. Do not stir the pot until you are sure it's been properly cooked to avoid wrapped Ekpang from falling apart.
You can add chopped basil leaf just before you put off the heat so as not to get it overcooked. Basil Leaf gives your meal a nice flavor. You'll love it!

Your Delicious 😋 Ekpang is served!

As you can see, it's so yummy. It is one of my favorite local dishes. It is a complete meal as it is rich in protein, fiber, minerals and vitamins.

Please feel free to give this recipe a try. You will be glad you did.
Thank you for visiting my blog. That's all for today. I hope to see you in my next blog.