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Kitchen Gadget Tricks

How to mash beans (ewa aganyin) using a food processor and Hand Mixer

I went for an event yesterday organised by Walkers crisps, inviting food bloggers to taste and sample their new range of Market Deli crisps. It was a huge honour to be invited, especially more so that I was the only Nigerian food blogger present. Scratch that, nobody on the African continent was represented. It was a good opportunity to speak to other food bloggers about Nigerian food, and it wasn’t totally surprising that they did not know anything about Nigerian food. Oh, the surprise looks, the arching of their eyebrows when I mentioned that many of the ingredients on the table used in the chips were everyday staples in the average Nigerian kitchen and fridge. I am gone past being annoyed about the issue, I have decided to channel that anger into determination to get our food out there. I don’t care if I have to bang on doors till I get myself heard. Being present at the event, was a slip through the cracks. Watch out for my product review very soon. Walkers is a huge deal, hey they are owned by Pepsico, so I am really chuffed.

On my way home on the train, it dawned on me that presentation, packaging, modernising our recipes etc are not the only things that we need to take Nigerian food mainstream. I just knew I had to put up this post today. We have to carefully look at our process of cooking. Believe me, the average non Nigerian we want to educate and wish to enamour about our food is not going to have it with all our tedious cooking. That’s the truth. These people with their sophisticated, well cultured and food curious palates are not going to leave their homes and traipse around their neighbourhoods looking for possibly hard to find ingredients and then get home and spend hours cooking it. A curry is one of the easiest things to cook, a tagine also easy, chinese food, their cooks have deliberately made it easier, which probably contributed to why it has been easily adapted mainstream. We have what we call Knowledge Transfer in In PM terms, and I am applying it today. Our cooking is tedious, let us admit it. If you weren’t brought up to do it, many would not even bother.

Ewa Aganyin is delicious but quite tedious to cook. I will lament about frying the sauce for almost 3 hours at another time. Today it is the beans. You have to cook it till very soft, and then proceed to mashing it with a wooden spoon to get that traditional mashed/semi mashed consistency. I had a 2kg order to fulfill and after saving myself time by boiling in my massive pressure cooker, I looked at the filled to the brim pot and the idea of transferring it to a much bigger pot and then cooking further and mashing, made my stomach turn. I remembered my success with peeling beans in a food process or (click HERE), so I decided to try my luck with mashing too. It worked.

More ways to love your Food Processor in Nigerian Cooking

1. Cooked beans at the ready. Again, I started taking shots after my first try. This pressure pot was full at the start.

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2. Setup your food processor, with the bowl and attach the knife blade.

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3. Fill the bowl with the cooked beans. This gal was pressed for time, again I filled up the bowl. Lol. If you notice, the beans was cooked till mushy i.e. a little liquid left

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4. Cover the bowl and use the same process as peeling i.e. set the dial to maximum for a very brief period. 30 – 45 seconds, then stop.

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Do it again and stop, this time, open the cover and use a spoon to mix together, such that you don’t end up with completely mashed bits at the bottom.

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5. One more go with the engine, and you are done with one big batch. If you were doing this volume manually, I shudder to think of the arm cardio and the time it will take you.

IMG_1882_watermarked

Again, knowledge transfer. Mashed potatoes can be made in a food processor, so why not Ewa Aganyin. If I send the recipe to a popular British food blogger, he/she would try it. Now, try explaining to a non Nigerian, how you would need to cook the beans till soft, add more water, take your wooden spoon and start mashing. He or she would just roll their eyes, politely smile at you and trash your recipe in the next bin.

Showing you again more pictures of the process. First go, you can see more whole bean seeds

IMG_1886_watermarked

next go

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final go, job done. It took probably under 2 minutes.

IMG_1882_watermarked

I was done mashing 2kg worth of cooked beans stat. Now look at all that ewa aganyin and try to imagine how long it would have taken me to do that by hand, plus my tiny arms in question. I washed the pressure pot, and the food processor all in quick time.  I packed it all up in a 7 litre bowl and marveled at the time I saved. Plus no sweat. Imagine that.

IMG_1892_watermarked

If you are wondering, no it wasn’t over mashed to puree form, you can still see some whole beans peeking out, the texture was just right, the way the Togolese women sell it.

IMG_1892_watermarked

Can you try this in a blender, you may wish to ask. I will say, yes, but you may not be as successful as with a food processor. The limited space of a blender would probably give you over mashed beans, but I am willing and open for you to prove me wrong. I was of the impression that only a dough blade will work for pounded yam, and I had many readers try a knife blade with equal results. So, I challenge you to try and let’s see.

If you want to save on the washing, or you only have a small quantity that you need. Use a Hand mixer.

Here are videos below

Making Ewa Aganyin using a hand mixer. I called my Aunty T to show how #theNewNigerianCookery in action. She was so impressed and said, even manual stirring won't make it this good. "Oyinbo ti so aiye dero, ki ama ni ara wa lara". English for, technology has made life easier. I told her she's having real pounded yam for Sunday Lunch tomorrow, and she should be prepared to be amazed. She has said she will call her Cargo person to help her send a food processor to Nigeria. This is a woman my mother's age. If she can be sold in an instant, I just shake my head sometimes at the people with mobile phones and social media who insist that the old methods are the best way. I don't bother arguing anymore. If you want to sweat it out in the kitchen, as they say "it's your funeral". Some of us looooove our gadgets and can cook you under the table in a fraction of the time ???. I am making Ewa Aganyin for someone too. If you want a bowl, please email me

A video posted by Dooney's Kitchen.com (@dooneyskitchen) on Jul 25, 2015 at 6:48am PDT

Last year i put up on the blog how a food processor can make you mashed beans (Ewa Aganyin) in seconds. No need to do it manually in a pot and work your arms to exhaustion. I also showed you how to use a hand mixer to mash up rice for Tuwo Shinkafa. All that hand stirring is so unnecessary. The same process works for beans for Ewa Aganyin. This works especially if the quantity you are working with is not large enough to warrant washing up a food processor afterwards. Do you also know that you can make Tuwo Shinkafa in a food processor? Just lump all your cooked sticky rice in a food processor and pulse like you would with cooked beans. Ewa Aganyin and Tuwo Shinkafa done with no stress. @ounjealadun #dooneyskitchentipsforthemodernNigeriankitchen #theNewNigerianCookery

A video posted by Dooney's Kitchen.com (@dooneyskitchen) on Jul 21, 2015 at 2:40am PDT

Here’s to Nigerian Cooking in 2014. Bring out your glass and toast to progress.


32 Comments

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FILED UNDER: Kitchen Gadget Tricks
TAGGED WITH:
Dooney

About Dooney

Dooney is the blogger, recipe developer and photographer for Dooney's Kitchen. I spend my days trying to figure out creative ways to redefine Nigerian food, either by creating a new dish itself using ingredients in ways that have never been used before, or changing the approach to Nigerian cooking using kitchen gadgets.

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« How to Peel beans using a food processor
Blending beans formulae (ratio of water to beans) »

Comments

  1. Avataryemi says

    June 18, 2014 at 1:47 pm

    yay!!! way to go. Thanks Dooney

    Reply
    • dooneyrooneydooneyrooney says

      June 18, 2014 at 1:54 pm

      You are welcome Yemi

      Reply
  2. Avatarnkem says

    June 18, 2014 at 2:07 pm

    Hiii Dooney, thank you soo much for this blog, its a life saver. Please what is the brand name of your food processor? The make and every detail I need to buy it here in Nigeria. Thank you sooooooooo much.

    Reply
    • dooneyrooneydooneyrooney says

      June 18, 2014 at 2:16 pm

      Mine is a Kenwood FP920. You can also buy a Philips. Cash and carry, Konga.com, dealdey.com and jumia.com sell food processors. Possibly, shoprite should too

      Reply
      • AvatarTomiwa says

        June 20, 2014 at 10:03 am

        Shoprite sells. It was on promo the last time I visited.

        Reply
        • dooneyrooneydooneyrooney says

          June 20, 2014 at 1:58 pm

          Thank you for the tip Tomiwa

          Reply
  3. Avatarolufunso says

    June 18, 2014 at 2:51 pm

    I just love your way with words Dooney. Guess you should have come as a writer instead but then again, who will blog about all this and be the eye opener we see you as. You are so much appreciated. Believe that !!!

    Reply
    • dooneyrooneydooneyrooney says

      June 18, 2014 at 2:59 pm

      Hugs Olufunso. I guess it was all the years of reading books as a child and always wanting to tell my own stories. Thank you very much for the compliments. Hugs

      Reply
  4. AvatarSt tracy says

    June 18, 2014 at 3:12 pm

    Pls how is the Ewa Aganyin eaten, am on a protein diet, so variety on how to make my beans will be appreciated.

    Reply
    • dooneyrooneydooneyrooney says

      June 18, 2014 at 3:37 pm

      Hi Tracy, Ewa Aganyin is eaten with a spicy and grainy dark stew. I have attached the link. Likewise, you can use chunky fish stew. I hope that helps. http://www.dooneyskitchen.com/2014/04/04/ewa-aganyin-stew-part-2/

      Reply
  5. AvatarAunty Mo says

    June 18, 2014 at 3:13 pm

    Honestly, its posts like this that keeps me coming here everyday!!! Your passion to see Nigerian food widely accepted is very inspiring and you pay so much attention to details. You’ll surely go far with this. Even though I don’t know you personally am proud that you are a Nigerian girl – our very own Dooney!!!

    Reply
    • dooneyrooneydooneyrooney says

      June 18, 2014 at 3:33 pm

      Hugs Aunty Mo. Thank you, very, very much.

      Reply
      • AvatarAderonke says

        June 18, 2014 at 10:33 pm

        You can also use the hand held blender for making the ewa again .

        Reply
        • dooneyrooneydooneyrooney says

          June 19, 2014 at 10:46 am

          Thanks for the tip Aderonke. I would try it

          Reply
  6. Avatarmfon says

    June 18, 2014 at 7:54 pm

    Sincerely speaking our Nigerian meals are awesome but the procedures are tiring. Most times I cook and feel sad afterwards because the stove is messy and I have a lot of cleaning to do. Wish it can be more simplified. Thanks Dooney you are doing a great job.

    Reply
    • dooneyrooneydooneyrooney says

      June 19, 2014 at 10:45 am

      You hit the nail on the head Mfon. You are welcome.

      Reply
  7. AvatarŻûrįęllę says

    June 19, 2014 at 7:38 am

    Cheers!!!!!!!!!!! Stools!!!!!!!!!!! And Tables!!!!!!!!!! Well done Maami,well done. Godbless&increase and increase your platform&knowledge stream in Jesus name!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Let the congregation say?? Ameeeeen. Well done

    Reply
    • dooneyrooneydooneyrooney says

      June 19, 2014 at 10:42 am

      Amen, Amen, Amen Zurielle. Thanks

      Reply
  8. Avataroluwadamilola says

    June 19, 2014 at 9:31 am

    dooney, i pray that God would make the cook book a reality and make it real soon.i av included that in my every day prayers and am sure God would answer me.
    love you love u .

    Reply
    • dooneyrooneydooneyrooney says

      June 19, 2014 at 10:41 am

      Amen Dami, a resounding Amen. Thank you for including me in your prayers. All our prayers will come true by His Grace

      Reply
  9. AvatarPatience says

    June 19, 2014 at 11:23 am

    Good job Dooney…. Pls which of the blade’s did you use…. Most times I have challenges with the blades, I will appreciate if you can always display the exact blade. Thanks for making us good chefs.

    Reply
    • dooneyrooneydooneyrooney says

      June 19, 2014 at 11:25 am

      I used a knife blade Patience, I have now added a picture

      Reply
      • AvatarPatience says

        June 19, 2014 at 5:30 pm

        Thanks Dooney … you are the best.

        Reply
        • dooneyrooneydooneyrooney says

          June 20, 2014 at 2:16 pm

          Aaaaaaw, hugs Patience. Thanks

          Reply
  10. AvatarAlorade says

    June 20, 2014 at 11:35 am

    Hehehehehe, my husband is in soup!
    Now that I have discovered this blog, he will eat till he thinks I wanna sell him cuz hey! who else will I try all these wonderful recipes on?

    May God continue to bless and keep you for us Dooney. Really appreciate the knowledge being shared.

    Reply
    • dooneyrooneydooneyrooney says

      June 20, 2014 at 1:58 pm

      Looool, yes o, that’s the spirit. Feed him well. Amen to your prayers and best wishes to you too

      Reply
  11. AvatarBukie says

    December 14, 2014 at 6:29 pm

    Love love love this. Got my food processor yesterday,made the iyan today. Couldn’t close my mouth. Thanks so much at least we can eat healthy now.wonder why we feel sooo heavy after the potato and farina iyan,God knows wat other preservatives are in it.

    Reply
  12. Avatarkulthum says

    December 23, 2014 at 3:35 pm

    Dearest Dunni,
    I ordered two different models of food processor after reading your post.The first one came withall the different blades that could be used for shredding, etc but the other one came with only the dough blade. so i got that the dough blade is used for the iyan,beans(aganyin and peeling) and bitter leaves. What other things can i use the dough blade for? Thanks a mil

    Reply
    • Avatarkulthum says

      December 23, 2014 at 3:41 pm

      sorry it came with a knife blade and dough blade

      Reply
      • Avatarkulthum says

        December 23, 2014 at 3:46 pm

        i’d like to know the other uses of a knife blade. sorry for the broken comments. Thanks

        Reply
    • dooneyrooneydooneyrooney says

      December 30, 2014 at 6:54 pm

      making dough for bread or meat pie, or pizza, or pounded yam

      Reply
  13. Avatarronke omolegbe says

    February 11, 2015 at 2:38 pm

    Ahaaa, good way to give it this texture, this my new food processor has work to do o!

    Reply

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