Okpa

Bake your way to a taste of Eastern Nigeria with this Okpa recipe! Mixing Bambara beans, palm oil, and a dash of spice, it's like a flavor fiesta in your mouth. Whether you're new to Nigerian cuisine or a seasoned pro, this savory, oven-baked delight will win you over one delicious slice at a time.

  • Preparation Time: 30 minutes
  • Cooking Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

Servings: 1
  • 2 cups
    Bambara beans (okpa flour) Ground
  • 1/2 tbsp
     Palm oil
  • 1 medium sized
    Onions finely chopped
  • 1/2 tsp
    Turmeric powder for colour
  • 2 tbsp
    Mushroom
  • 2 tbsp
    Ground pepper adjust to taste
  • Salt adjust to taste
  • 1 tsp
    Utazi leaves Ground
  • 2 cups
    Warm water

Instructions

  1.  Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

  2. Put some water in the oven for steaming.

  3. Combine the ground okpa flour in a mixing bowl

  4. Add the palm oil to the mixture stirring gradually.( Make sure the palm oil is well incorporated into the mixture)

  5.  Add warm water to the mixture while stirring slowly until you achieve a smooth, thick batter.

  6. Add the chopped onion, turmeric powder, ground pepper, salt, and ground utazi leaves (optional)

  7. Grease a baking pan with a little palm oil to prevent sticking.

  8. Pour the batter into the greased pan and smooth the top.

  9. Cover the pan with aluminum foil or a lid to prevent steam from escaping.

  10. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 45mins to 1hr, or until the okpa is set and firm.

  11. Once done, remove the okpa from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before cutting it into slices or squares.

  12. Enjoy your homemade Okpa!

Notes

This dish gets even more flavorful when stored in the fridge overnight. The ingredients have a chance to meld together, creating a tastier experience when you reheat and enjoy it the next day.

About the author

Bola Adeyanju

Tags

Courses: Nigerian Meals
Type of dish: Bean dish
Cooking time: 45-60 minutes
Cuisines: Nigerian
Difficulty: Level 2 (average)
Preparation method: Baking
Taste: Savory
Others: Child Friendly
Number ingredients: 5-10 ingredients
Campaigns: VeggieChallenge
Keywords: Easy Okpa recipe, How to make Okpa at home, Nigerian Okpa recipe, Okpa step-by-step guide, Oven-baked Okpa
Equipment: oven

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