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Vegetarian, Africa and overseas

Moi moi with fried plantains

Moi moi is a steamed bean cake made with black eyed peas, prepared here for 4 people in 1 hour 40 minutes, medium difficulty, for €2.30 per serving. It's served with golden fried plantains. The key to success is removing the bean skins well, for a moi moi that turns out light and airy instead of dense.

Tonight, a soft and comforting Nigerian classic, moi moi, a steamed bean cake, with golden fried plantains on the side.

Moi moi with fried plantains
Total time
1 h 40
Difficulty
Medium
Cost per person
€2.30
Calories per person
570 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Fall, Winter
The kids
They generally like it

Moi moi is a gently savory cake made from blended black eyed peas with red peppers, onion, and chili, then steamed in small ramekins. The texture is close to a firm custard, soft under the spoon, with a hidden piece of hard boiled egg at the center that surprises you with every bite. The chili stays mild, just enough to warm things up without any real heat.

This is a dish for a slower Sunday, since the steaming takes time and some organizing between soaking the beans, blending the batter, and cooking the ramekins. Kids tend to like the mild flavor of moi moi and the natural sweetness of the fried plantains, which soften the whole dish even more. It's a good way to introduce the family to Nigerian cooking without anything too spicy.

The ingredients

4 people

Pantry

  • Dried black eyed peas 400 g
  • Frying oiloften in the pantry 20 cl
  • Peanut oiloften in the pantry 5 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fruits and vegetables

  • Red bell peppers 2
  • Onion 1
  • Fresh chili pepper 1
  • Ripe plantains 3

Dairy

  • Eggs 4

Allergens Eggs

The step by step recipe

  1. Soak the beans in cold water, then rub them between your hands to remove the skins. 30 min

    The skins float to the surface, skim them off with a strainer.

  2. Blend the beans with the peppers, onion, chili, oil, and salt until you get a smooth batter. 5 min

    Add water little by little, the batter should stay thick.

  3. Hard boil two eggs and peel them, then pour the batter into ramekins with a piece of egg in the center. 15 min

    Fill the molds three quarters full, the batter rises during cooking.

  4. Steam the ramekins in a large covered pot. 45 min

    Keep water at the bottom of the pot without letting it touch the molds.

  5. Fry the sliced plantains until golden and serve them with the unmolded moi moi. 10 min

    Remove the ramekins from the water with tongs, they're very hot.

Our tips to get it right

  • Blend the beans in batches if your blender is small, the batter needs to stay smooth without bits of pepper skin.
  • Pick plantains that are very ripe, with almost black skin, they caramelize better when fried and contrast nicely with the moi moi.
  • Check the moi moi is done by inserting a knife into the center of a ramekin, it should come out clean like a cake.
  • If you don't have ramekins, small foil cups or even parchment paper folded into cones work just as well.

The variations

  • Swap the black eyed peas for dried white beans if you can't find them, the texture stays close to the original.
  • For a version without egg in the center, mix in flaked smoked fish or cooked ground meat instead.
  • For a faster version, steam the batter in one large mold instead of several ramekins, it will take a bit longer to cook through but you'll save time on filling the molds.

What to serve it with

  • A spicy tomato sauce on the side
  • A hot ginger tea
  • A fresh cucumber salad

Storage

Moi moi keeps for 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. It freezes well, either still in its ramekin or unmolded. Reheat it by steaming or in the microwave for a few minutes, and fry the plantains fresh just before serving so they stay crisp.

Questions about this dish

Can you make moi moi ahead of time?

Yes, you can steam the moi moi the day before and reheat it by steaming the next day. The fried plantains, though, taste best fried right before serving so they stay crisp.

Can you cook moi moi without ramekins?

You can use a loaf pan or parchment paper folded into cones, the traditional way it's made in Nigeria. A larger mold will just need a slightly longer steaming time.

What kind of chili should you use for kids?

Pick a mild chili or remove the seeds from a regular one, since they hold most of the heat. You can also swap it for half a teaspoon of paprika to keep the color without the spice.

Does moi moi freeze well?

Yes, once cooled, it freezes very well in its ramekin or unmolded and wrapped. Let it thaw in the fridge before reheating it by steaming.

How long does it take to make a moi moi with fried plantains?

Count 1 h 40 in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “medium”.

How many calories are in a moi moi with fried plantains?

About 570 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a moi moi with fried plantains cost?

About €2.30 per serving, or €9.20 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains eggs. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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