Moi Moi | FoodieAtlas

Ingredients

2 cups peeled black-eyed peas or brown beans
1 large onion, chopped
2-3 fresh tomatoes, blended
1 red bell pepper, blended
1-2 fresh peppers or 1 tablespoon ground pepper (adjust to taste)
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2-3 stock cubes or seasoning cubes
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon curry powder
1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1 cup water or stock (chicken or vegetable)
Optional: 1/2 cup chopped onions, bell peppers, or other vegetables
Optional: 1/2 cup cooked fish, shrimp, or boiled eggs (sliced or chopped)
Banana leaves or aluminum foil for wrapping

Instructions

Prepare the Beans

Soak the peeled black-eyed peas in water for about 30 minutes. Peel off the skins by rubbing the beans between your hands. Rinse and drain.

Blend the Mixture

In a blender, combine the soaked beans, chopped onion, tomatoes, red bell pepper, and fresh peppers (or ground pepper). Blend until smooth, adding a little water if needed to get a smooth consistency.

Prepare the Batter

Pour the blended mixture into a large bowl. Add the vegetable oil, stock cubes, dried thyme, curry powder, and salt. Mix well. Add water or stock gradually to achieve a thick, but pourable consistency.

Add Optional Ingredients

If using, fold in the chopped vegetables, cooked fish, shrimp, or boiled eggs into the batter.

Wrap the Moi Moi

If using banana leaves, clean and cut them into squares. Soften them by steaming or heating them briefly. Spoon the batter onto the center of each banana leaf square and fold the edges to enclose the batter. If using aluminum foil, spoon the batter onto squares of foil and fold into packets.

Steam the Moi Moi

Place the wrapped batter in a steamer or a large pot with a steaming rack. Steam for about 45-60 minutes, or until the Moi Moi is firm and cooked through. Check occasionally and add more water to the pot if needed.

Serve

Allow the Moi Moi to cool slightly before unwrapping. Serve warm with rice, plantains, or as a side dish.