Exciting entry for me on this day 14th January 2025, when I saw today's prompt on the @leogrowth #januaryinleo prompt to be on @hivenaija, i knew it must be a coincidence cause i just had to flash my mind back to exactly two years ago, this same month, which happens to be the last time i ever tasted something this Gloriously delicious as our Amiable EKPAN-KUKWO.
YOU see Ekpan kukwo is one of the very best dishes you can experience coming from the south south people of Akwa-Ibom state & Cross River State Nigeria, its so delicious and SOUMPTOUS that no Akwa Ibomite Like myself can obviously say No to this Ancient piece of recipe handed over to us by our fore-generations, till today anywere it is mention the good testament of the Ekpan-kukwo remains poised as the number one, outstanding home cooked meal of the Efik tribe of Akwa-Cross People.
Obviously there are many reasons as to why this is not just any regular kind of dishes that is Cooked everyday or as one pleases due to its rigorous, tedious procedures, most times it can take all day to get it ready so its really that onces in a while meals, except for some Restaurant that opt to add it to their menu, mostly just prepared randomly, therefore i doubt if you can get that wholesome complete taste of it.
It was On a January 2022, in the village were we had gone for xmas of 2021, so this was like our new year meal instead of the regular rice, stew and chicken, our household decided we go different this time and i recall having to document the entire process snapping each process, luckily i saved the photos in my cloud Storage, quickly had to retrieve them.
So without further or due allow me the pleasure of taking you all on tour as to How it's Done here....
INGREDIENTS USED INCLUDE
Coco-Yam
Fresh Water-yam leaves or sweet potato leaves
• Smoked Fish
• Dried Fish
• Perewinkle
• Crayfish
• Cow-skin
• Fresh Pepper
• Seasoning cube
• Roasted Beef(Cow Meat)
• Palm Oil
• Salt
First off, the coco-yam or water-yam is pilled, then it's thoroughly washed then a grater is used to grind it to a past like substance
After the grinding is done, now it's time we use fresh pumpkin leaves, sweet potato leaves or water-yam leaves to gentle wrap the grinded past-like substance, now this is the part i really don't know how to, because a special skill is required here, if not it might losen while trying to star in the fire, so its really advisable to carefully tie it firm and solid.
A small amount of palm oil is dropped in the big pot before placing the wrapped ekpan in, after all the entire process is done, this is followed by Adding all the needed ingredients, like smoked fish, crayfish, perewinkle, roasted meat, pepper, seasoned cube, salt etc. Everything is added at once, then hot water is poured in, to a certain level then the pot is placed on fire, covered to cook for atleast 25-30 minutes.
When the time is up, now we add more palm oil, (its a secret that the more oil you add, the tastier it will be, but be careful not to put too much oil) add some of the sliced leaves, then cover to Cook for another five minutes, before staring it properly, sometimes it would look dry, keep adding some more water but be careful of the texture and taste so you don't put too much water, observe the taste as well, incase there is need to add anything, then allow to cook for a few more minutes before taking it down.
Our Sweet Ekpan Kukwo is ready to be served HOT!!!!.........😋😋😋👌
Posted Using INLEO