Akara (African)

JanuaryBride's Note:

Recipe from the Food Network. States that this is a traditional Nigerian dinner. You have to plan ahead (to soak the beans), but otherwise it comes together quite quickly. And it's vegetarian to boot!

• Total Time: 20 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• ½ lb dried black-eyed peas
• 2 small onions
• 1 red pepper
• salt
• white pepper
• olive oil
• 2 ripe tomatoes
• 1 green pepper
• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley leaves

Directions:

1. Soak peas overnight in lots of water. Drain. Peel the outside skin from the peas.
2. In a processor, pulse the 1 onion and red pepper to coarsely chop. Add soaked peas and puree to a paste. Transfer to a bowl and using a whisk, whisk the mixture adding salt, white pepper and just a little soaking liquid -- not too much as the mixture needs to retain its shape for frying.
3. Using an ice cream scoop, form into balls about the size of a ping-pong ball. Drop into a pot of hot olive oil, heated to 360 degrees F. Fry until golden brown. Remove to paper towel-lined plate. Season again with salt and pepper.
4. Make a quick dipping sauce by pulsing 2 seeded tomatoes, 1 onion, 1 green pepper and some parsley in food processor. Add olive oil and season with salt and pepper. It should be a little chunky, but smooth enough to stick to the fried akara.

Reviews

[N4E]

I tried this recipe as written and ended up with sand-sized crumbles of ingredients floating in brown oil. Had to start all over again. Here are suggestions to avoid my misery:
1. If using 1/2 lb of black-eyed peas and a small food processor, you will need to add them in four or so batches of about 1 1/2 cup at a time, add water, process, and transfer to a STRAINER to let water out.
2. After staining, place in bowl, add flour to the mix; blend.
3. After making small balls, roll in flour to firm up before putting in oil!
My 2nd batch turned out pretty good. Good luck.

[bjokitty]

This is a really a great recipe. I've made akara for years after having had my first one in Nigeria at a New Years eve party. They are great for snacks, appetizers or a substitute for a fattening doughnut. Try adding ground dried shrimp to the batter.