Moi Moi - Steamed Beans Pudding Recipe

Picture of a nicely prepared moi moi from sisijemima

Moi moi is a typical Nigerian dish made from beans, and mixed with other ingredients to give you the best, tasty and satisfying texture. 

It is a dish that is traditionally prepared and enjoyed in Nigeria and other West African countries. In Nigeria, it is often served as a breakfast or lunch food and is enjoyed as a protein-rich and filling meal. 

How to cook moi moi

Before we dive into the moi moi recipe, it's best to know a few things about this delicacy.

What is Moi Moi

Moi moi (also spelled as moin moin) is a traditional Nigerian food, and a popular side dish made from beans. It is a steamed bean pudding that is typically made from black-eyed peas that have been peeled, ground, and mixed with spices, peppers, onions, and other seasonings.

The mixture is then wrapped in leaves or foil and steamed until it sets into a firm pudding-like consistency. 

What is moi moi called in English

Most people get lost for words when they want to talk about this dish, most times we ask, what is the English name for moi moi?

Well, moi moi is generally referred to as beans pudding or beans cake in English.

What is the best method of cooking moi moi

Well, the three best ways of cooking moi moi is: steaming using leaves, this method is referred to as moi moi elewe, i.e cooking this beans pudding with the use of leaves.

The second is steaming in nylon. This is one of the options most people like to follow because it's one of the fastest, hence the reason many people want to know how to prepare moi moi with nylon.

The third is steaming it in a tin or durable plastic container. This moi moi moin moin preparation process is also easy.

Now for the main deal...

How to make moi moi

Ingredients for moi moi

• 2 cups black-eyed peas, soaked overnight and peeled
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 scotch bonnet peppers (habanero peppers), chopped
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground crayfish (optional)
• 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• Banana leaves or foil for wrapping

How to cook moi moi

1. Rinse the peeled black-eyed peas in a colander and transfer to a blender.
2. Add the chopped onion, red bell pepper, scotch bonnet peppers, vegetable oil, salt, and ground crayfish (if using) to the blender.
3. Blend the mixture until smooth, adding a little bit of water or broth as needed to help the blender process the mixture.
4. Transfer the blended mixture to a bowl and stir in the chicken or vegetable broth until well combined.
5. Cut the banana leaves or foil into rectangular pieces, about 10 inches long and 8 inches wide.
6. Place about 1/2 cup of the moi moi mixture in the center of each banana leaf or foil and fold the sides to create a packet.
7. Arrange the packets in a steamer basket and steam over medium heat for about 45-60 minutes, or until the moi moi is set and cooked through.
8. Serve the moi moi hot or warm with rice, bread, or other starchy foods.

To cook your moin moin with nylon, simply add the moin moin inside the nylon, and follow the above process to cook.