Tuwo Shinkafa
A smooth, starchy rice dough, traditionally served as a staple 'swallow' in Northern Nigerian cuisine, perfect for soaking up flavorful soups.
🧂 Ingredients
- 300g Long-grain parboiled rice (e.g., Basmati or Jasmine)(Parboiled rice is recommended for its starch content and ability to break down smoothly. Rinse the rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess surface starch.)
- 1.5 liters Water(You'll need extra water for cooking the rice until very soft. Adjust as needed.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Cook the rice: In a medium pot, combine the rinsed rice with 1.5 liters of water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer. Cook for approximately 25-30 minutes, or until the rice is extremely soft and mushy, easily breaking apart when pressed. Add a little more hot water if the pot becomes dry before the rice is fully cooked.
⏱️ 25-30 minutes - 2
Mash or blend into a smooth paste: Drain any excess water from the cooked rice. Transfer the very soft rice to a mortar and pestle or a food processor/blender. Mash or blend vigorously until you achieve a very smooth, lump-free paste. This step is crucial for the desired texture.
⏱️ 5-10 minutes - 3
Thicken the dough: Return the smooth rice paste to a clean pot. Add about 1/4 cup (60ml) of fresh water (or more, if the paste is too stiff). Place the pot over medium-low heat. Stir continuously with a sturdy wooden spoon or spatula, scraping the bottom and sides of the pot. Continue to cook and stir for about 5-7 minutes, or until the mixture thickens into a smooth, cohesive dough that pulls away from the sides of the pot.
⏱️ 5-7 minutes - 4
Serve: Shape the warm tuwo into small balls or a larger mound using a wet spoon or your hands (dipped in water to prevent sticking). Serve immediately with traditional Nigerian soups like Miyan Kuka (baobab leaf soup), Miyan Ganye (leafy green soup), or Groundnut Soup (Peanut Soup).
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The key to great Tuwo Shinkafa is achieving a perfectly smooth, lump-free texture. Don't rush the mashing/blending stage.
- ✓Ensure the rice is cooked until extremely tender before proceeding to the mashing stage.
- ✓Tuwo Shinkafa is a staple in Northern Nigeria, particularly among the Hausa people.
- ✓It's designed to be a neutral base for flavorful soups, so the tuwo itself should have a mild taste.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Experiment with different types of rice, though parboiled long-grain is most common.
- Adjust the final consistency by adding more or less water in step 3 to achieve your preferred thickness.
- Some variations might involve adding a pinch of salt for very subtle flavor enhancement, though traditionally it's unsalted.