Fufu African restaurant near me
Fufu African restaurant near me: Fufu (or foofoo or foufou) is possibly one the most famous west African ”swallow” foods. It is a filling side dish – starchy, smooth, dense, and stretchy that is much beloved because it is delicious, simple, satisfying, and easy to prepare.
Fufu African restaurant near me
Get the recipe
Fufu is easy to make, yet so delicious. It is not eaten alone, and it is served with a form of rich and flavorful soup or stew such as egusi soup, okra soup, ewedu soup (Jute leaves), or light soup.
It is the perfect accompaniment to soups/stews and proteins because it is easy to swallow and doesn’t require chewing, so it is a food that all ages can enjoy together.
Fufu African restaurant near me
Know more about the food
Foofoo is made from cassava, which is also known as yuca. It is a starchy root vegetable, similar to sweet potatoes, russet potatoes, and yams.
It can be fried, baked, and prepared just like potatoes; however, it becomes very smooth, doughy, and elastic when made into fufu.
Though traditionally made from cassava, fufu’s definition has expanded over the years to include a variety of swallow foods, such as eba, green plantains, amala, cocoyam, corn, pounded yam, semolina, and much more.
Know how to eat the food
Pinch off a little bit of the fufu and mold it into a small oval ball with your palms.
Make a small indentation in the fufu and use this indentation to scoop up some of the soup or stew, then swallow.
Yes, I said swallow – no chewing! The ”chewing instinct” might set in, but with practice, the art of swallowing fufu can be mastered!
Washing hands before eating any swallow food is like a rite. As long as the hand-washing ritual is observed, then cutlery is not needed.
Traditionally, Nigerians eat only with their right hand, so if you have been invited to the home of a Nigerian friend or are eating at a traditional Nigerian restaurant, please remember to eat only with your right hand, even if you are personally left-handed.
Fufu African restaurant near me
Fufu, the Swallow foods
Swallow foods are pliable yet firm doughy meals, similar to America’s mashed potatoes but with more texture. Nigerian examples include pounded yam, eba, amala, starch, fufu, and many more. The pliable texture makes it easy to eat with your hand (right hand only, please) and to swallow without chewing.
To eat fufu, cut out a morsel from the meal, then form an indentation on it with the thumb and scoop some stew or soup over it and swallow!
Fufu African restaurant near me
Know how to serve the food
Fufu is usually served in relatively small balls and wrapped in plastic wraps to retain its moisture.
It is often paired with various delicious soups and stews like Egusi, Ogbono, Vegetable, peanut soup, and Okro soup, with each person having their preference.
Get to know the quantity
Foofoo will only have a deep fermented smell if the cassava is left to ferment before making it into fufu. If otherwise, you will experience a very mild smell like mashed potatoes without the butter :).
Know how to preserve
Yes, fufu can be reheated in a microwave. Simply unwrap any leftover balls and put them in a microwave-safe bowl.
Just as you would with rice, add a splash of water, then microwave till heated through—about 5 minutes. Use a wooden stirrer to stir until it becomes nice and smooth.
Fufu African restaurant near me
Is it healthy?
Foufou provides a significant amount of carbs, some fats, and a bit of protein. It also provides fiber, vitamins, and minerals like:
- Choline: Nerve and brain function
- Potassium: Heart, kidney, and muscle function
- Beta carotene: Anti oxidant
Take to know the taste
It’s hard to describe but it has a very mild taste. I will say it’s a cross between potatoes and sweet potatoes.
Know their accompaniment
The simple answer is no!. A lot of people have been asking me this question over and over again. Fufu doesn’t need salt or seasoning of any kind.
That is why you don’t eat fufu by itself, you need a form of soup or stew to pair with it.
Note that fufu hardens up as it cools down, so it’s advisable to cook it on the softer side especially if you are not eating it immediately.
Fufu – A filling side dish, simple and satisfying and easy to prep. The perfect accompaniment to soups/stews and protein.
Fufu African restaurant near me
What to serve with Fufu:
- Egusi soup
- Stewed Spinach
- Okra soup
- Jute leaves soup – ewedu
- Ogbono soup
Other African Swallow foods that you might also enjoy:
- Pounded Yam
- Sadza-Ugali