Amala and Ewedu
A classic Yoruba dish featuring 'amala' (a smooth, dough-like swallow made from yam flour) served with 'ewedu' (a slimy soup made from jute leaves), often accompanied by 'gbegiri' (bean soup) and locust beans for added flavor.
🧂 Ingredients
- 300g Yam flour (elubo)(Ensure it's finely ground for a smooth amala.)
- 300g Fresh jute leaves (ewedu)(Wash thoroughly and remove tough stems.)
- 2 tbsp Dried locust beans (iru)(Rinse to remove excess saltiness and debris.)
- 1/4 tsp or a small piece Potash (kanhun)(Dissolve in a little water before adding to the ewedu. This helps to break down the leaves and create the slimy texture. Use sparingly as too much can affect the taste.)
- 4 cups, divided Water(For cooking the ewedu and amala.)
- to taste Salt(Optional, depending on the saltiness of locust beans.)
- optional Gbegiri (bean soup)(A traditional accompaniment, made separately from peeled beans.)
- 1 tbsp Palm oil(Optional, for added richness to the ewedu.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the Ewedu Soup: Wash the jute leaves thoroughly and remove any tough stems. Roughly chop the leaves. In a blender or food processor, combine the chopped jute leaves with about 1 cup of water and the dissolved potash. Blend until smooth. If you don't have a blender, you can pound the leaves with a mortar and pestle until very soft and slimy. Pour the blended mixture into a pot.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 2
Add the rinsed locust beans to the pot with the blended jute leaves. If using, add the palm oil and a pinch of salt (taste first, as locust beans can be salty). Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Stir well and allow it to cook for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the soup thickens slightly and the flavors meld. The consistency should be slimy and slightly viscous.
⏱️ 20 minutes - 3
Prepare the Amala: While the ewedu simmers, bring 3 cups of water to a rolling boil in a separate, sturdy pot. Once boiling, gradually sprinkle in the yam flour (elubo) while continuously stirring with a strong wooden spoon or spatula. Keep stirring vigorously to prevent lumps from forming. The mixture will start to thicken rapidly.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 4
Cook the Amala: Continue to stir and fold the yam flour mixture over medium heat for about 10-15 minutes. The goal is to cook the flour through and achieve a smooth, firm, and slightly elastic dough. It should pull away from the sides of the pot. If it becomes too stiff, you can add a tiny splash of hot water and continue stirring until smooth.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 5
Serve: To serve, scoop a portion of the hot amala onto a plate, shaping it into a ball or mound. Ladle a generous portion of the ewedu soup alongside the amala. If serving with gbegiri, add a portion of that as well. Enjoy immediately.
⏱️ 2 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a smoother amala, ensure your yam flour is finely ground. Sift it if necessary.
- ✓The slimy texture of ewedu is characteristic and desirable. The potash is key to achieving this.
- ✓Don't overcook the ewedu after adding locust beans, as it can lose its slimy quality.
- ✓Amala can be quite sticky; using a non-stick pot and a sturdy stirring utensil is recommended.
- ✓If you find the amala too soft, continue cooking and stirring to evaporate excess moisture.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Serve with Gbegiri (bean soup) for the complete Yoruba trio.
- Add a spicy stew or a piece of fish/meat to the ewedu for added flavor and protein.
- Some prefer to add a little ground crayfish to the ewedu for an extra umami boost.