The Agoyin people, a subgroup of the Ewe ethnic group from Togo and Benin, are the source of the well-known street meal known as “Ewa Agoyin” in Nigeria.
The Agoyin people’s migration and settlement in Nigeria, especially in Lagos, contributed to the dish’s rise in popularity.
It is renowned for both its unusual flavour and cooking technique, which calls for slow-cooked mashed beans topped with a hot, peppery sauce.
This is a cuisine that many Nigerians have come to enjoy and embrace, the Agoyin people brought it with them when they immigrated to the country.
Its cheap price and filling flavour have made it a popular street seller dish that many people eat every day.
How to Make Ewa Agoyin
Ingredients
For the beans:
- 2 cups of black-eyed peas or brown beans
- Water
- Salt to taste
For the Agoyin sauce:
- 5 large red bell peppers (tatashe)
- 2 medium onions
- 1 cup of dried chili peppers
- 1 cup of palm oil
- Salt to taste
- Seasoning cubes Instructions
Prepare the Beans:
- Sort and rinse the beans to remove any dirt or debris.
- Place the beans in a pot and add enough water to cover them.
- Bring to a boil and cook until the beans are soft. This can take about 1-2 hours. Add water as needed to prevent drying out.
- Once the beans are soft, mash them slightly. Season with salt to taste and set aside.
Prepare the Agoyin Sauce:
- Soak the dried chili peppers in hot water for about 20 minutes to soften them.
- Blend the soaked chili peppers with the red bell peppers and one onion until smooth. Set aside.
- Finely chop the remaining onion.
- Heat the palm oil in a pot until it starts to smoke. Reduce the heat and add the chopped onions. Fry until they are dark brown but not burnt. This can take about 10-15 minutes.
- Add the blended pepper mixture to the pot. Fry the mixture on medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until the oil starts to separate from the sauce. This process can take about 45 minutes to an hour.
- Season the sauce with salt and seasoning cubes (if using) to taste.
Serve:
- Serve the mashed beans on a plate and top with a generous amount of the Agoyin sauce, add bread to it, you will love it.
Enjoy your homemade Ewa Agoyin.
Do have a great weekend.