Moyin-Moyin (also called Moin-Moin, or Moi-Moi), a sort of savory bean pudding, is a unique and delicious way to prepare black-eyed peas or other beans. The traditional way to cook Moyin-Moyin is to wrap it in leaves (such as banana leaves) and steam it. In modern Africa it is often cooked in empty tin cans, but it can also be made in muffin pans (muffin tins), or wrapped in aluminum foil. There are many variations of Moyin-Moyin. Skip all the optional ingredients to make a simple version; include one or more of the optional ingredients to make fancy Moyin-Moyin.
2 - 3 cups dried
cowpeas (black-eyed peas) or similar
1 tablespoon dried shrimp powder
1 - 2 tomatoes, (peeled if desired), chopped -- or -- a similar
amount of canned tomatoes -- or -- two tablespoons of canned
tomato paste
1 - 2 onions, chopped
salt and black pepper to taste
chile pepper, chopped, to taste
cayenne pepper or red pepper, to taste
oil to grease muffin tin or aluminum foil
Optional Ingredients
(a cup of one or more of the following):
cooked shrimp, chopped
cooked carrots, finely chopped
cooked peas
sweet green or red pepper (bell pepper)
hard-boiled egg
dried, salted, or smoked fish; washed, cleaned and torn into
small pieces
dried shrimp or prawns, washed and crushed
canned sardines
leftover cooked meat, cut into small pieces
dried or smoked meat, torn into small pieces
canned corned beef
Clean the black-eyed
peas in water in a large pot. Soak them in water for at least an
hour or overnight. After soaking them, rub them together between
your hands to remove the skins. Rinse to wash away the skins and
any other debris. Drain them in a colander. If the beans have
soaked only a short time, they may be cooked in water over a low
heat until they are partially tender. Crush, grind, or mash the
black-eyed peas into a thick paste. Slowly add enough water to
form a smooth, thick paste. Beat with a wire whisk or wooden
spoon for a few minutes. A tablespoon of oil may be added. In a
separate container combine all other ingredients and crush and
stir them together until they are thoroughly mixed. Add the other
ingredients to the black-eyed pea paste and stir to make a smooth
mixture. Grease the muffin pans (or tin cans). Scoop the
Moyin-Moyin mixture into your pans (or cans), allowing some room
for it to rise while cooking. Place the pans (or cans) in a
baking dish partially filled with water. Bake in a medium-hot
oven for about a half-hour. Moyin-Moyin in tin cans can also be
steamed in a large covered pot on a stove. Check for doneness
with a toothpick or sharp knife, as one would for a cake.
Alternate cooking method: Wrap the Moyin-Moyin mixture in banana
leaves or aluminum foil (cut into five inch squares) to make
small packets. Fold the packets to tightly close them. Banana
leaves may be tied with kitchen string. Cook the packets by
steaming them in a large pot, using a rack to keep them out of
the water. May be served hot or at room temperature.
Serves 4.
area : West Africa
course : main course
source : http://www.congocookbook.com/, through Nicole [IRE_tag]