Amala Food Recipe - How to Cook Amala at Home

 

Amala is a delicious and nutritious Nigerian dish that is popular among the Yoruba people of the southwestern region. It is made from yam, plantain, or cassava flour and cooked into a soft and smooth dough that is eaten with various soups and stews. Amala is rich in carbohydrates, fiber, and vitamins and can be enjoyed as a breakfast, lunch, or dinner meal.

In this article, we will show you how to cook amala using yam flour, which is also known as elubo. Yam flour is made from dried and ground yams that have a brownish color and a slightly sour taste. You can buy yam flour from African or Caribbean stores or online.

We will also share with you some tips on how to make your amala lump-free and fluffy, as well as some of the best soups and stews to pair with your amala. Let's get started!

Ingredients for Amala

To make amala, you will need the following ingredients:

• 2 cups of yam flour (elubo)
• 4 cups of water
• 1 cup of hot water (reserved)
• A large pot
• A wooden spoon

Steps to Cook Amala

Follow these easy steps to cook amala:

1. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a large pot over high heat.
2. Reduce the heat to medium and gradually add the yam flour, stirring quickly and continuously with a wooden spoon to prevent lumps from forming.
3. Keep stirring until the mixture becomes thick and doughy, about 10 minutes.
4. Scrape down the sides of the pot and add some of the reserved hot water to moisten the dough.
5. Cover the pot with a lid and let it steam for a few minutes on low heat.
6. Remove the lid and stir the dough again until it is smooth and elastic.
7. Your amala is ready! Transfer it to a large bowl and serve with your favorite soup or stew.

Tips for Making Lump-Free and Fluffy Amala

Here are some tips to help you make your amala lump-free and fluffy:

• Use boiling water to make your amala, not cold or lukewarm water. This will help the flour dissolve faster and prevent lumps from forming.
• Stir the flour quickly and continuously as you add it to the boiling water. You can use a whisk or a fork if you don't have a wooden spoon.
• If you notice any lumps in your amala, use the back of your spoon to press them against the sides of the pot and break them up.
• Add some hot water to your amala if it becomes too dry or hard. This will help soften it and make it more pliable.
• Don't overcook your amala or it will lose its elasticity and become crumbly. Steam it for a few minutes after stirring it well and then turn off the heat.

Best Soups and Stews to Eat with Amala

Amala can be eaten with any soup or stew of your choice, but some of the most popular ones are:

• Ewedu soup: This is a green soup made from jute leaves that are blended with locust beans, crayfish, bouillon cubes, and salt. It has a slimy texture and a savory taste that goes well with amala.
• Gbegiri soup: This is a yellow soup made from black-eyed beans that are cooked, peeled, blended, and seasoned with palm oil, onions, pepper, crayfish, bouillon cubes, and salt. It has a creamy texture and a nutty flavor that complements amala.
• Egusi soup: This is a thick soup made from melon seeds that are roasted, ground, and cooked with palm oil, onions, pepper, tomatoes, spinach, meat, fish, crayfish, bouillon cubes, and salt. It has a rich texture and a spicy taste that adds flavor to amala.
• Okra soup: This is a simple soup made from chopped okra that are cooked with palm oil, onions, pepper, crayfish, bouillon cubes, salt, and water. It has a slippery texture and a mild taste that suits amala.

You can also mix two or more soups together to create a unique combination for your amala. For example, you can mix ewedu soup with gbegiri soup or egusi soup with okra soup.

Benefits of Amala

Amala is not only delicious but also nutritious. Here are some of the benefits of eating amala:

• It is rich in carbohydrates, which provide energy for your body and brain.
• It is high in fiber, which helps to regulate your digestion and prevent constipation.
• It is low in fat and calories, which makes it a good choice for weight management and diabetes control.
• It is a good source of vitamin C, which boosts your immune system and protects you from infections and diseases.
• It contains antioxidants, which fight against free radicals and prevent oxidative stress and inflammation.
• It supports your liver health by detoxifying your body and enhancing your metabolism.
• It promotes your heart health by lowering your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
• It may increase your hair growth by stimulating your scalp and nourishing your hair follicles.
• It improves your kidney health by preventing kidney stones and infections.

As you can see, amala is a superfood that can benefit your health in many ways. However, you should also be mindful of the portion size and the type of soup or stew you eat with it. Some soups and stews may be high in salt, oil, or spices, which can affect your health negatively. Therefore, you should choose soups and stews that are low in sodium, fat, and sugar, and high in vegetables, protein, and herbs.

How to Preserve Amala

If you have leftover amala, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat it, you can microwave it for a few minutes or steam it over boiling water until it is soft and warm.

You can also store yam flour in an airtight container in a cool and dry place for up to 6 months. You should avoid exposing it to moisture or heat, as this can cause it to spoil or clump.

Conclusion

Amala is a delicious and nutritious Nigerian dish that is easy to make at home with yam flour, water, and a wooden spoon. It is a versatile dish that can be eaten with different soups and stews to suit your taste and preference. It has many benefits for your health, such as boosting your immune system, supporting your liver health, promoting your heart health, and improving your kidney health. 

However, you should also be mindful of the portion size and the type of soup or stew you eat with it. You should choose soups and stews that are low in sodium, fat, and sugar, and high in vegetables, protein, and herbs.

We hope you enjoyed this article on how to cook amala. If you have any questions or feedback, please let us know in the comments below. And don't forget to share this article with your friends and family who love Nigerian food!