Moin Moin
Peeled black-eyed beans blended with peppers and onion, seasoned and steamed in leaves or tins until it sets into a soft, savoury cake.
Photograph credit: Moin-Moin-good by ProVeg International · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
Method
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Soak the beans for 2 hours, then rub handfuls of them between your palms under water until the skins float free. Pour the skins off and repeat until the beans are clean and white. This takes 15 minutes and there is no way round it.
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Blend the peeled beans with the peppers, scotch bonnets, onion and just enough warm water to move the blades, until completely smooth. Work in batches.
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Pour into a large bowl and beat in the oil, ground crayfish, stock cube, salt and nutmeg.
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Add warm water a little at a time, beating, until the batter is the consistency of double cream — pourable, not thick.
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Beat hard for 3 minutes to aerate it, which gives a lighter set.
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Line ramekins with banana leaves, or oil small tins.
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Pour the batter in to about three-quarters full, adding a slice of egg or a little fish to each if using.
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Cover each with foil and set them in a steamer or a wide pan with 3 cm of simmering water.
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Steam, covered, for 45 to 55 minutes, until a skewer comes out clean and the moin moin has set firm.
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Rest 10 minutes before turning out. Serve warm with pap, rice or bread.
Chef’s Tips
- Peel the beans properly. Skins make it grey and grainy.
- Batter like double cream. Too thick and it sets solid and dry.
- Beat air in for three minutes before steaming.
Pairing Suggestions
- Pap or custard
- Jollof rice
- Fried plantain
Storage & Reheating
Refrigerate up to 4 days and freeze 2 months. Re-steam to reheat.
Common questions
How long does Moin Moin take to make?
About 1 hour 15 minutes of hands-on work — 30 minutes of preparation and 45 minutes of cooking — plus 2 hours of soaking, so allow 3 hours 15 minutes from start to finish. The recipe serves 6.
What are the key tips for making Moin Moin?
Peel the beans properly. Skins make it grey and grainy. Batter like double cream. Too thick and it sets solid and dry. Beat air in for three minutes before steaming.
What should I serve with Moin Moin?
Pap or custard; Jollof rice; Fried plantain.
Can Moin Moin be made ahead or frozen?
Refrigerate up to 4 days and freeze 2 months. Re-steam to reheat.
Is Moin Moin suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is vegan, gluten-free, vegetarian and no added sugar. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
How many calories are in Moin Moin?
About 386 kcal per serving, with 20 g protein, 34 g carbohydrate and 16 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.
Nutritional Highlights
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
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Written and tested by Turab
One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.