Moin Moin
Nigerian Bean Pudding
A savory and protein-rich Nigerian steamed bean cake made from blended black-eyed peas, infused with aromatic peppers and onions, and enriched with palm oil. This dish is a staple in Nigerian cuisine, often served as a side or a light meal.
🧂 Ingredients
- 400 g Dried Black-eyed peas(Ensure they are dried, not fresh.)
- 1 medium Red bell pepper(Seeded and roughly chopped.)
- 1 small Scotch bonnet pepper(Adjust to your spice preference. Seeded and roughly chopped for less heat.)
- 1 medium Onion(Peeled and roughly chopped.)
- 60 ml Palm oil(Or substitute with vegetable oil if palm oil is unavailable.)
- as needed Water(For soaking and blending.)
- 1 tsp Salt(Or to taste.)
- 2 Seasoning cubes(Optional, for added flavor. Crumbled.)
- optional Cooked fish or shrimp(Flaked or chopped, for added protein and flavor.)
- optional Hard-boiled eggs(Sliced, for serving or adding to the batter.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Soak and peel the black-eyed peas: Rinse the dried black-eyed peas thoroughly. Place them in a large bowl and cover with plenty of water. Let them soak for at least 6-8 hours or overnight. After soaking, drain the water. Rub the peas between your hands vigorously to loosen the skins. You can also use a food processor to pulse them a few times to help loosen the skins. Rinse again thoroughly under running water, picking out and discarding all the skins. This step is crucial for a smooth Moin Moin. Drain well.
⏱️ 8 hours (soaking) + 30 minutes (peeling) - 2
Prepare the aromatics: Roughly chop the red bell pepper, scotch bonnet pepper, and onion. Place them in a blender or food processor.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 3
Blend the bean paste: Add the peeled black-eyed peas to the blender with the chopped aromatics. Add about 1/2 cup of fresh water to help with blending. Blend until you achieve a very smooth, thick paste. You may need to do this in batches, depending on the size of your blender. Scrape down the sides of the blender as needed. The consistency should be like thick pancake batter.
⏱️ 15-20 minutes - 4
Season the batter: Transfer the blended bean paste to a large mixing bowl. Stir in the palm oil (or vegetable oil), salt, and crumbled seasoning cubes (if using). If adding optional cooked fish or shrimp, fold them in now. Mix everything thoroughly until well combined. The batter should be smooth and homogenous.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 5
Prepare for steaming: Get your steaming setup ready. This can be done using traditional moin moin leaves (like banana leaves or plantain leaves, softened by rinsing in hot water), small heatproof ramekins, or a muffin tin. If using ramekins or muffin tins, lightly grease them with oil.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 6
Fill the molds: Spoon the bean batter into your chosen molds, filling them about two-thirds full to allow for expansion during steaming. If using leaves, spoon the batter into the center and fold the leaves to create a sealed parcel. If using ramekins or muffin tins, you can place a slice of hard-boiled egg in the center of each before filling with batter.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 7
Steam the Moin Moin: Place the filled molds or leaf parcels into a large pot or steamer. Ensure there is enough water in the pot to create steam, but not so much that it will reach the molds. Cover the pot tightly to trap the steam. Bring the water to a rolling boil over medium-high heat (around 100°C / 212°F). Once steaming, reduce the heat to medium and let the Moin Moin cook for about 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, or until firm and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The cooking time will vary depending on the size and type of molds used.
⏱️ 1 hour - 1 hour 15 minutes - 8
Serve: Carefully remove the Moin Moin from the steamer. Let it cool slightly before unmolding (if using ramekins/tins) or unwrapping (if using leaves). Serve hot as a side dish or a light meal.
⏱️ 5 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Ensure all bean skins are removed for a smooth texture.
- ✓Do not over-blend the beans, as this can make the Moin Moin tough.
- ✓Traditional Moin Moin is often steamed in softened plantain or banana leaves, which imparts a unique flavor and aroma.
- ✓For a richer flavor, you can add a small amount of smoked fish or shrimp to the batter.
- ✓Adjust the amount of scotch bonnet pepper to control the heat level.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add flaked cooked fish (like mackerel or cod) to the batter.
- Incorporate small cooked shrimp into the batter.
- Add sliced hard-boiled eggs to the center of each Moin Moin before steaming.
- Use different types of peppers for varied flavor profiles.