Contest alert - All in one contest W8: Food challenge - Ekpang nNkukwo

The dish I prepared this week is Ekpang Nkukwo, a traditional local delicacy that's both unique and special in my locality. It's typically reserved for special occasions due to its complexity and rich flavors.

I cooked Ekpang Nkukwo because I've been craving it badly. Rather than buying it from a restaurant or bukka, where I might not get the taste or quantity I want, I decided to cook it myself to satisfy my cravings. My craving for Ekpang Nkukwo became too much to ignore, so I took matters into my own hands and cooked it myself. I wanted to ensure I got the flavor and portion I desired, rather than risking disappointment by buying it elsewhere."

To make Ekpang Nkukwo, you'll need the following ingredients:

Grating the wateryam and cocoyam

• Cocoyam

• Wateryam

• Cocoyam leaf

• Periwinkle

• Bonga fish

• Crayfish

• Pepper

• Red oil

• Maggi

• Salt

About wrapping it into the pot

First, I peeled the cocoyam and wateryam, washed them, and grated them. Then, I sprinkled a small amount of salt on the grated mixture to add flavor.

I added red oil to the pot and seasoned it with Maggi, salt, pepper, and I mixed everything together well.

Oiling the pot

I wrapped the grated cocoyam and wateryam mixture bit by bit with cocoyam leaves (nkukwo) and placed them in the pot neatly.

Neatly wrapped

After wrapping everything, I poured hot water into the pot containing the wrapped Ekpang Nkukwo and placed it on the fire. It boiled for about 30-45 minutes, with me adding water at intervals as needed.

Pouring in hot water

Once the Ekpang Nkukwo was tender, I added the remaining ingredients, crayfish, fish, Maggi, pepper, and red oil. I covered the pot and let it simmer for 10 minutes.

Next, I sliced some curry leaves (ikò) and added them to the pot for extra flavor (some people also use scent leaves). After adding the curry leaves, I added the bonga fish, stirred the pot gently with a spatula, covered it again, and let it simmer for 2 minutes.

Putting curry leaves

Finally, I removed it from the heat and turned off the gas.

Come and join me