Amala and Ewedu: How To Prepare, Health Benefits

Amala and Ewedu: A Delicious and Nutritious Nigerian Dish

Amala and Ewedu is a traditional Nigerian dish that is widely enjoyed by many people. This is especially in the western part of the country. Amala is a type of swallow food which comes from yam, cassava, or plantain flour. Ewedu is a soup made from jute leaves, also known as Corchorus or Ayoyo.

The combination of Amala and Ewedu is not only delicious, but also nutritious and beneficial for health. Let’s discuss them separately first.

Amala

Amala is one of the most common swallow foods in Nigeria, along with Eba, Pounded Yam, and Fufu. Swallow foods are starchy foods that are cooked into a thick paste and eaten with soups or stews. They are usually swallowed without chewing, hence the name.

Amala can be made from different types of flour, depending on the preference and availability of the ingredients. The most popular ones are:

Amala Ingredients

Yam flour: This is made from dried and pounded yam peelings. It has a dark brown color and a slightly sour taste. It is also known as Elubo or Amala Isu.
Cassava flour: This is made from dried and grated cassava tubers. It has a light brown color and a neutral taste. It is also known as Lafun or Amala Lafun.
Plantain flour: This is made from unripe plantains that are dried and ground into flour. It has a yellowish color and a sweet taste. It is also known as Amala Ogede.

How to Make Amala

To make Amala, water is boiled in a pot and the flour is gradually added while stirring vigorously with a wooden stick to avoid lumps. The mixture is then cooked until it becomes smooth and firm. The consistency and texture of Amala can vary depending on the amount of water and flour used. Some people prefer it soft and moist, while others like it hard and dry.

See also: Top Nigerian Cuisines

Amala is usually served hot with a soup or stew of choice. Some of the most popular soups that go well with Amala are Ewedu, Gbegiri, Egusi, Efo Riro, and Okra. Amala can also be eaten with fish, meat, or vegetable sauces.

Ewedu

Ewedu is a soup made from jute leaves, which are green leafy vegetables that belong to the same family as okra. Jute leaves are also known as Corchorus, Ayoyo, Krain Krain, or Jute Mallow in different parts of Africa. They have a slimy texture when cooked, similar to okra, and a mild flavor.

Ewedu is a traditional soup native to the Yoruba people of Nigeria, but it is also widely consumed by other ethnic groups in the country. It is often served with Amala or other swallow foods, as well as beef or fish stew.

How to Make Ewedu

To make Ewedu, the leaves are picked from the stems and washed thoroughly to remove dirt and sand. They are then boiled in water with salt, pepper, crayfish, and locust beans (Iru) for flavor. The cooked leaves are then blended or mashed with a broom (Ijabe) to achieve a smooth and slimy consistency. The soup is then simmered for a few minutes and adjusted for taste.

Health Benefits of Ewedu

Ewedu is rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. It has many health benefits, such as:

Improving digestion and preventing constipation
Boosting immunity and fighting infections
Lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels
Promoting skin health and wound healing
Enhancing vision and eye health
Preventing anemia and improving blood circulation

Amala and Ewedu: A Perfect Pair

Amala and Ewedu is a perfect pair of Nigerian dishes that complement each other in taste, texture, and nutrition. The soft and starchy Amala balances the slimy and green Ewedu, creating a satisfying and filling meal. The combination also provides a balanced diet of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and fiber, which are essential for good health and well-being.

Amala and Ewedu is a dish that reflects the rich and diverse culinary culture of Nigeria. It is a dish that can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background.

Amala and Ewedu is a dish that can be prepared easily and affordably, using simple and locally available ingredients. It is a dish that can be eaten at any time of the day, for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It is a dish that can be shared with family and friends, as a sign of hospitality and love.

Amala and Ewedu is more than just a dish. It is a symbol of Nigerian identity, heritage, and pride. It is a dish that deserves to be celebrated and appreciated by all.

Frequent Questions on Amala and Ewedu

Here are 10 FAQs and their answers about Amala and Ewedu. I hope you find them useful.

1. What is the origin of Amala and Ewedu?

Amala and Ewedu is a dish that originated from the Yoruba people of Nigeria. They are one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa. The Yoruba people have a rich and diverse culture, history, and cuisine. These are influenced by their environment, religion, and interactions with other groups. Amala and Ewedu is one of their most popular and distinctive dishes. It reflects their culinary skills and preferences.

2. How do you eat Amala and Ewedu?

Amala and Ewedu is eaten with the hands, using the right hand only. A small ball of Amala is scooped from the plate and dipped into the Ewedu soup, then swallowed without chewing. The process is repeated until the meal is finished. Some people also add beef or fish stew to the dish for extra flavor and protein. Amala and Ewedu is usually eaten as a main course, but it can also be eaten as a snack or a side dish.

3. What are the health benefits of Amala and Ewedu?

Amala and Ewedu is a healthy and balanced dish that provides many nutrients and benefits for the body. Amala is a good source of carbohydrates, which provide energy and fuel for the brain and muscles. It also contains fiber, which aids digestion and prevents constipation.

Ewedu is rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber, which boost immunity, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, promote skin and eye health, prevent anemia, and improve blood circulation. Together, Amala and Ewedu form a complete and satisfying meal that supports overall health and well-being.

More FAQs on Amala and Ewedu

4. What are the variations of Amala and Ewedu?

Amala and Ewedu can be varied by using different types of flour for Amala, such as yam, cassava, or plantain flour. Each type of flour has a different color, taste, and texture, which can suit different preferences and occasions.

See also: How to Make Kunun Tamba

Ewedu can also be varied by adding different ingredients to the soup, such as pepper, crayfish, locust beans, or other spices and seasonings. Some people also mix Ewedu with other soups, such as Gbegiri (bean soup) or Egusi (melon seed soup), to create a more complex and flavorful dish.

5. How do you store and reheat Amala and Ewedu?

Amala and Ewedu can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat Amala, it can be microwaved or steamed until it becomes soft and warm.

To reheat Ewedu, it can be microwaved or boiled on the stove until it becomes hot and bubbly. It is advisable to reheat only the amount that will be consumed, and not to reheat the same dish more than once, to avoid spoilage and food poisoning.

6. How do you make Amala and Ewedu from scratch?

To make Amala and Ewedu from scratch, you will need the following ingredients and equipment:

For Amala: Yam, cassava, or plantain flour (depending on the type of Amala you want to make), water, salt, a pot, a wooden stick, and a plate.
For Ewedu: Jute leaves, water, salt, pepper, crayfish, locust beans, a pot, a blender or a broom, and a bowl.

The steps to make Amala and Ewedu from scratch are as follows:

For Amala: Boil water in a pot and add salt. Gradually add the flour while stirring vigorously with a wooden stick to avoid lumps. Cook until the mixture becomes smooth and firm. Transfer the Amala to a plate and shape it into a round or oval form.
For Ewedu: Pick the leaves from the stems and wash them thoroughly. Boil them in water with salt, pepper, crayfish, and locust beans for about 15 minutes. Blend or mash the cooked leaves to achieve a smooth and slimy consistency. Simmer the soup for a few minutes and adjust for taste.

Serve it hot with beef or fish stew if desired.

7. What are some tips and tricks to make Amala and Ewedu better?

Some tips and tricks to make it better are:

Use fresh and quality ingredients for both Amala and Ewedu, as they will affect the taste and texture of the dish.
Use the right amount of water and flour for Amala, as too much or too little of either can make it too soft or too hard. You can also add a little oil or butter to the water to make the Amala smoother and softer.
Use a blender or a broom to blend or mash the Ewedu, as using a knife or a fork can make it too coarse and chunky. You can also add a little baking soda to the water to make the Ewedu more slimy and green.
Experiment with different combinations of Amala and Ewedu, such as yam flour with plantain flour, or Ewedu with Gbegiri or Egusi, to create new and exciting flavors and textures.

7. What are some common mistakes to avoid when making Amala and Ewedu?

Some common mistakes to avoid when making Amala and Ewedu are:

Adding the flour to the water before it boils, as this can make the Amala lumpy and sticky.
Stirring the Amala too slowly or too fast, as this can make it uneven and crumbly.
Overcooking or undercooking the Amala or the Ewedu, as this can affect their consistency and taste.
Adding too much or too little salt, pepper, crayfish, or locust beans to the Ewedu, as this can make it too salty, spicy, fishy, or bitter.
Not washing the jute leaves properly, as this can make the Ewedu gritty and sandy.

8. How do you serve Amala and Ewedu?

It can be served in different ways, depending on the occasion and preference. Some of the common ways to serve it are:

On a large plate or tray, with the Amala on one side and the Ewedu on the other, along with beef or fish stew in the middle. This is a common way to serve Amala and Ewedu at home or in restaurants, as it allows everyone to share and enjoy the dish.
On individual plates or bowls, with the Amala and the Ewedu already mixed together, or with the Amala on top of the Ewedu. This is a common way to serve it at parties or events, as it makes it easier and faster to serve and eat the dish.
In a wrap or a sandwich, with the Amala and the Ewedu wrapped in a flatbread, such as Agege bread, Pita bread, or Tortilla. This is a common way to serve it as a snack or a street food, as it makes it portable and convenient to eat on the go.

9. How do you pronounce Amala and Ewedu?

They are pronounced as follows:

Amala: A-ma-la, with the stress on the first syllable and the a’s sounding like the a in father.
Ewedu: Eh-weh-du, with the stress on the second syllable and the e’s sounding like the e in bed.

Q: Where can you buy Amala and Ewedu?

It can be bought from different places, depending on the availability and accessibility of the ingredients and the dish. Some of the places where you can buy it are:

Local markets or grocery stores, where you can buy the raw ingredients, such as the flour, the jute leaves, and the spices, and make the dish at home.
Nigerian restaurants or eateries, where you can order the dish and enjoy it in a comfortable and cozy setting.
Online platforms or delivery services, where you can order the dish and have it delivered to your doorstep or your preferred location.