Ukwa is an
excellent source of various nutrients. Ukwa, also known as breadfruit porridge,
is a traditional Nigerian meal that comes from the eastern part of Nigeria. It
is made out of the fruit of the Treculia Africana tree that many call African
breadfruit.
excellent source of various nutrients. Ukwa, also known as breadfruit porridge,
is a traditional Nigerian meal that comes from the eastern part of Nigeria. It
is made out of the fruit of the Treculia Africana tree that many call African
breadfruit.
100 grams of
ukwa contain 10% of good (unsaturated) fats, up to 15% of protein, 25% of
carbohydrates and 2% of fibre. This meal also contains Vitamin C, folic acid
and beta-carotene. The 100-gram serving of ukwa is only around 240 kcal, which
makes it a perfect meal option for those who are watching their figure or
struggling with diabetes.
ukwa contain 10% of good (unsaturated) fats, up to 15% of protein, 25% of
carbohydrates and 2% of fibre. This meal also contains Vitamin C, folic acid
and beta-carotene. The 100-gram serving of ukwa is only around 240 kcal, which
makes it a perfect meal option for those who are watching their figure or
struggling with diabetes.
Ingredients
620 grams of
breadfruit seeds (preferably fresh)
breadfruit seeds (preferably fresh)
3/4 teaspoons
of potash Akaun
of potash Akaun
100 grams of
dry prawns or fish
dry prawns or fish
3 diced Scotch
Bonnet peppers
Bonnet peppers
1 1/2
tablespoon of palm oil
tablespoon of palm oil
3 tablespoons
of ground crayfish
of ground crayfish
2 flavour
cubes
cubes
Salt and
pepper to taste
pepper to taste
Bitter
leaf/ugu leaf(optional)
leaf/ugu leaf(optional)
Onions (optional)
Steps
Step
1:
Begin by picking the breadfruit seeds to remove any unwanted particles or dirt.
1:
Begin by picking the breadfruit seeds to remove any unwanted particles or dirt.
Step
2:
Pound the Akaun into a fine powder and mix it with half a cup of water. Mix
until it is dissolved and set the mixture aside. We will be using potash as a tenderizing
agent, as it would take much longer for ukwa to cook without it.
2:
Pound the Akaun into a fine powder and mix it with half a cup of water. Mix
until it is dissolved and set the mixture aside. We will be using potash as a tenderizing
agent, as it would take much longer for ukwa to cook without it.
Step
3:
Take the picked and sorted breadfruit seeds and wash them thoroughly. You need
to make sure all the sand and dirt are gone before you move on to the next
step.
3:
Take the picked and sorted breadfruit seeds and wash them thoroughly. You need
to make sure all the sand and dirt are gone before you move on to the next
step.
Step
4:
Put the seeds in a pot, pour just enough water so that it covers them and set
the pot on the stove. Turn the stove on the medium heat and leave the seeds to
boil for at least half an hour.
4:
Put the seeds in a pot, pour just enough water so that it covers them and set
the pot on the stove. Turn the stove on the medium heat and leave the seeds to
boil for at least half an hour.
Step
5:
Grab your mixture of water and potash, give it another stir and pour it into
your pot. Be extra careful not to pour the residue in the pot, as it should not
go in your food. Discard the leftovers of the potash mixture.
5:
Grab your mixture of water and potash, give it another stir and pour it into
your pot. Be extra careful not to pour the residue in the pot, as it should not
go in your food. Discard the leftovers of the potash mixture.
Step
6:
If you see that there is too little water in the pot, you can add a little bit
more. Give ukwa 10 more minutes to soften.
6:
If you see that there is too little water in the pot, you can add a little bit
more. Give ukwa 10 more minutes to soften.
Step
7:
Wash and soak the prawns/fish thoroughly. If you are using fish, debone it and
break it into small pieces. If you are using prawns, simply remove their heads.
Add them to the ukwa, along with the Scotch Bonnet peppers, flavour cubes, salt
and pepper (and the onion, if you are using it). Leave the whole thing for
another ten minutes to boil.
7:
Wash and soak the prawns/fish thoroughly. If you are using fish, debone it and
break it into small pieces. If you are using prawns, simply remove their heads.
Add them to the ukwa, along with the Scotch Bonnet peppers, flavour cubes, salt
and pepper (and the onion, if you are using it). Leave the whole thing for
another ten minutes to boil.
Step
8:
Add the palm oil and ground crayfish to the pot. Stir them in and leave your
ukwa to boil until there is no more water in the pot.
8:
Add the palm oil and ground crayfish to the pot. Stir them in and leave your
ukwa to boil until there is no more water in the pot.
Step
9:
If you have decided to go with the greens (i.e. Ugu, spring greens, bitter leaf
or spinach) add them now. If not, skip this step.
9:
If you have decided to go with the greens (i.e. Ugu, spring greens, bitter leaf
or spinach) add them now. If not, skip this step.
Step
10: Stir in the boiled maize or sweet corn, and
your ukwa is ready to serve. Enjoy!
10: Stir in the boiled maize or sweet corn, and
your ukwa is ready to serve. Enjoy!
Hints
You can avoid
using potash or Ngu altogether if you soak your breadfruit seeds beforehand.
Just leave them to soak for at least three hours. The cooler ukwa gets, the
thicker it becomes. Some say that it makes the breadfruit porridge even more
delicious.
using potash or Ngu altogether if you soak your breadfruit seeds beforehand.
Just leave them to soak for at least three hours. The cooler ukwa gets, the
thicker it becomes. Some say that it makes the breadfruit porridge even more
delicious.
