How to make Moi Moi like a pro

Moi Moi, a traditional dish that's as rich in flavor as it is in cultural heritage. This savoury steamed bean pudding, made from a blend of ground beans, spices, and various ingredients, is a beloved delicacy enjoyed across Nigeria and other West African countries. In this article, we'll guide you through the art of making Moi Moi, sharing essential tips, ingredient variations, and a step-by-step recipe to help you recreate this delectable dish in your kitchen.

What is Moi Moi?

Moi Moi, also spelt as "Moin Moin," is a popular Nigerian dish that is often considered a delicacy. It is a savoury steamed bean pudding made from ground peeled black-eyed peas or brown beans. Moi Moi is known for its rich flavour, diverse textures, and versatility.

Best Beans to use in making Moi Moi

The best type of beans to use in making Moi Moi is either black-eyed peas or brown beans. Both of these beans are commonly used for Moi Moi and can yield delicious results.

1. Black-Eyed Peas (Cowpeas): Black-eyed peas are a popular choice for making Moi Moi. They are known for their mild flavour and relatively quick cooking time after soaking. Black-eyed peas also create a smooth and creamy texture when blended, which many people find appealing in Moi Moi.
2. Brown Beans (Pinto or Honey Beans): Brown beans, which can include varieties like pinto beans or honey beans, are another excellent option for Moi Moi. They produce a rich and dense texture in the final dish.
3. Peeled Beans: Here at Niys, we sell peeled brown beans so you don't have to go through the stress of soaking and dehulling your beans before you make moi moi.  

Key ingredients in making Moi Moi

Black-Eyed Peas or Brown Beans: These are the primary base for Moi Moi. The beans are soaked, peeled, and ground into a smooth paste.

Onions: Onions add flavour and aroma to the dish. They are usually blended with the beans.

Pepper: Scotch bonnet or habanero peppers are commonly used to provide the dish with a spicy kick. The level of heat can be adjusted to taste.

Oil: Vegetable oil is often added to the mixture for moisture and richness.

Seasonings and Spices: Various seasonings and spices, such as bouillon cubes, salt, ground crayfish, and sometimes thyme or curry powder, are used to enhance the flavour.

Protein: Moi Moi can be customized with a variety of proteins, including cooked minced or ground meat (such as beef or chicken), fish (typically canned sardines or mackerel), or even boiled eggs.

Vegetables: Chopped vegetables like bell peppers, scallions, and sometimes shredded cabbage can be added to provide colour and texture.

Equipment used in making Moi Moi

Blender or Food Processor: You'll use this to blend the soaked beans, onions, peppers, and other ingredients into a smooth paste.

Mixing Bowl: A large mixing bowl is essential for combining all the ingredients, including the blended bean paste and seasonings.

Steaming Container: You'll need a container for steaming the Moi Moi mixture. There are a few options:

Traditional Wrappers: In Nigeria, banana leaves or aluminium foil are often used to wrap the Moi Moi mixture before steaming. If using banana leaves, they should be softened by briefly passing them over an open flame or soaking them in hot water.

Steaming Bowls or Ramekins: Alternatively, you can use oven-safe bowls or ramekins to steam individual servings of Moi Moi. These are lined with banana leaves or foil before adding the mixture.

Steaming Pot: You can also use a large steaming pot with a steaming rack or trivet. The Moi Moi mixture is poured into containers or foil packets, placed on the rack, and steamed in the pot.

Steaming Pot or Steamer: If you're not using individual containers, you'll need a steaming pot or steamer. Make sure it has a tight-fitting lid to trap steam.

Water: For filling the bottom of the steaming pot to generate steam.

Spoons and Ladles: Utensils for mixing the Moi Moi ingredients and for serving.

Knife and Cutting Board: For chopping onions and any optional ingredients like bell peppers or scallions.

Aluminium Foil: If you're not using traditional wrappers, you'll need a foil to line the steaming bowls or create packets for steaming.

Trivet or Rack: If your steaming pot doesn't come with a built-in rack, you'll need a trivet or rack to elevate the Moi Moi containers above the water level.

Timer: To keep track of the steaming time, Moi Moi needs to be steamed until it's cooked through.

Cooling Rack: After steaming, it's a good idea to allow the Moi Moi to cool on a rack to prevent condensation from making it too moist.

Moi Moi Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups of peeled and dehulled black-eyed peas or brown beans
• 1 large onion, roughly chopped
• 2-3 scotch bonnet or habanero peppers (adjust to your preferred level of spiciness)
• 1/2 cup of vegetable oil (or palm oil, if preferred)
• 2-3 bouillon cubes (seasoning cubes)
• 1 teaspoon of ground crayfish (optional)
• 1 teaspoon of ground pepper (black or white pepper)
• Salt to taste
• Water (for blending, as needed)
• Protein (cooked minced meat, fish, or boiled eggs, as desired)
• Vegetables (bell peppers, scallions, shredded cabbage, etc., as desired)
• Seasonings and spices (thyme, curry powder, nutmeg, etc., as desired)
• Toppings (sliced boiled eggs or bell pepper strips for garnish)

Steps to making Moi Moi

Prepare the Beans

Wash the peeled beans thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris.

Soak the beans in water for at least 4 hours or overnight to soften them.

After soaking, drain and rinse the beans.

Blend the Bean Mixture

In a blender or food processor, combine the soaked and drained beans, chopped onion, scotch bonnet peppers, and a small amount of water (about 1/2 to 1 cup) to facilitate blending.

Blend until you achieve a smooth, thick paste. You may need to scrape down the sides of the blender to ensure even blending.

Season the Mixture

Transfer the blended mixture to a mixing bowl.

Add vegetable oil, bouillon cubes, ground crayfish (if using), ground pepper, and salt to taste. You can also add other seasonings and spices at this stage.

Mix well to incorporate all the seasonings into the bean paste.

Customize Your Moi Moi

Add your choice of protein (cooked minced meat, fish, or boiled eggs) and vegetables (bell peppers, scallions, shredded cabbage, etc.) to the mixture. Mix them in thoroughly.

Prepare the Steaming Containers

Depending on your preference, you can use traditional wrappers (banana leaves or foil) or oven-safe bowls lined with foil.

If using traditional wrappers, briefly pass banana leaves over an open flame to soften them. If using foil, cut sheets into squares and grease them lightly.

Fill the Steaming Containers

Spoon the Moi Moi mixture into the prepared containers, filling them about two-thirds full. Leave some space for expansion as the Moi Moi cooks.

Steam the Moi Moi

If using a steaming pot, place a trivet or rack in the bottom to elevate the containers above the water level.

Add water to the steaming pot, ensuring it doesn't touch the containers.

Arrange the Moi Moi containers in the pot, cover them with a tight-fitting lid, and steam over medium heat for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the Moi Moi is firm and fully cooked.

Cool and Serve

Allow the Moi Moi to cool for a few minutes before carefully removing it from the containers.

If you use banana leaves, you can serve the Moi Moi directly in the leaves for an authentic presentation.

Alternatively, slice the Moi Moi into portions and serve on plates. Garnish with boiled egg slices or bell pepper strips if desired.

How to make Moi Moi from Moi Moi Mix

Making Moi Moi from Moi Moi mix saves you a lot of stress involved in making this Nigerian dish. Moi Moi mix is a pre-packaged blend of ingredients, including ground beans and seasonings, that simplifies the cooking process. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make Moi Moi from Moi Moi mix:

Prepare the Steaming Containers

Depending on your preference, you can use traditional wrappers (banana leaves or foil) or oven-safe bowls lined with foil.

If using traditional wrappers, briefly pass banana leaves over an open flame to soften them. If using foil, cut sheets into squares and grease them lightly.

Mix the Moi Moi Mix

In a mixing bowl, combine the Moi Moi mix with water according to the instructions on the package. Typically, you'll need to add enough water to create a smooth, thick batter. The amount of water may vary depending on the brand of Moi Moi mix.

Customize Your Moi Moi

Add your choice of proteins (cooked minced meat, fish, or boiled eggs) and vegetables (bell peppers, scallions, etc.) to the Moi Moi mix. You can also add seasonings and spices to enhance the flavour.

Fill the Steaming Containers

Spoon the Moi Moi mixture into the prepared containers, filling them about two-thirds full. Leave some space for expansion as the Moi Moi cooks.

Steam the Moi Moi

If using a steaming pot, place a trivet or rack in the bottom to elevate the containers above the water level.

Add water to the steaming pot, ensuring it doesn't touch the containers.

Arrange the Moi Moi containers in the pot, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and steam over medium heat for the time recommended on the Moi Moi mix package, usually about 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Cool and Serve

Allow the Moi Moi to cool for a few minutes before carefully removing it from the containers.

Tips for making Perfect Moi Moi

• If you're using whole beans, soak them for at least 4 hours or overnight to soften. This makes it easier to blend them into a smooth paste.
• Dehull the beans by rubbing them between your palms or using a mortar and pestle. Removing the husks enhances the smoothness of the bean paste.
• Blend the beans, onions, and peppers thoroughly until you achieve a smooth, lump-free paste. Proper blending is key to the texture of the finished Moi Moi.
• The Moi Moi mixture should be thick but pourable. If it's too thick, you can adjust the consistency by adding a bit of water.
• Steam the Moi Moi over medium heat with a tight-fitting lid. Ensure that there's enough water in the steaming pot, but it should not touch the Moi Moi containers.
• Leave some space at the top of the containers for the Moi Moi to expand as it cooks. Overfilled containers can lead to spills.
• To determine if the Moi Moi is done, insert a toothpick or fork into the centre of one container. It should come out clean when the Moi Moi is fully cooked.

What to Serve with Moi Moi

Jollof Rice: Moi Moi pairs exceptionally well with Nigerian jollof rice, a flavorful and spiced one-pot rice dish. The combination of moist and slightly spicy jollof rice with the savoury Moi Moi is a classic Nigerian meal.

Fried Plantains: Fried plantains, known as "dodo" in Nigeria, are a sweet and savoury side dish that complements the soft and savoury Moi Moi. The contrast in textures and flavours is delightful.

Rice: Moi Moi can be served with plain cooked rice. This combination is simple yet satisfying, especially if you enjoy the distinct flavours of Moi Moi.

Bread: Moi Moi can be served with slices of bread or Nigerian "agege" bread. The bread can be used to scoop up and savour the Moi Moi.

Whether enjoyed on its own, with rice, or alongside a variety of sides, Moi Moi offers a tantalizing blend of textures and tastes. Its versatility allows it to adapt to individual preferences, making it a staple at celebrations, gatherings, and everyday meals.

The process of preparing Moi Moi may seem intricate, but with practice and patience, anyone can create this beloved delicacy. If you're looking to buy beans or Moi Moi mix to make this delicious meal why not get them from our African Grocery Store?