Efo Riro Recipe (Nigerian Stewed Greens)

We have now tons of of recipes in Nigerian delicacies that includes greens as the primary part, and efo riro, which interprets from Yoruba as “stirred” or “blended” greens, is a well-liked recipe that’s additionally easy to organize. It options contemporary amaranth leaves, plum tomatoes, and smoky unrefined crimson palm oil, and is usually seasoned with floor crayfish (a powder constituted of smoked and/or dried shrimp), fermented nuts and seeds like locust beans (often known as iru in Yoruba), and floor crimson chile peppers. 

Amaranth is available in many types. For this dish, I like to make use of cockscomb amaranth, often known as efo shoko, Lagos spinach, or celosia, which is native to West Africa. This number of amaranth  has inexperienced leaves (generally tinted with purple) and vibrant pink-, magenta-, and plum-colored flowers. When stewed, the leaves develop into tender and silky and the flavour is nice and delicate, much like spinach. Whereas there isn’t any excellent substitute for cockscomb amaranth, a mix of equal elements amaranth leaves (often known as callaloo), a leafy inexperienced whose taste is much like spinach, and spinach will work (it’s also possible to use all spinach). Plus, if contemporary greens are tough to supply, you need to use frozen ones in a pinch. 

Efo riro is constructed on a handful of elements that come collectively to create layered and complicated flavors and textures. This specific recipe incorporates tender cubes of beef chuck roast, however you need to use contemporary seafood like fish or prawns, sautéed mushrooms, or smoked proteins like catfish, hen, or turkey as an alternative. I blanch my greens individually as a result of I discover that the stew’s flavors come by higher, and I like the silky, satiny texture the greens tackle. As compared, I’ve discovered that if I wilt the greens instantly within the stew, the general taste is extra distinct and vegetal, which isn’t what efo riro is about.  

Then, there are onions, that are gently fried in wealthy, unrefined palm oil till tender and candy. The stew will get a further fragrant depth from the dried crayfish, non-obligatory fermented locust beans, and uncooked sliced tomato. A purée of uncooked onion, crimson bell pepper, and tomato is poured into all of it, making a flavorful cooking medium that’s naturally thickened by the puréed vegetable fibers. There’s chile warmth in two kinds, contemporary Scotch bonnet and dried chile powder, which ought to all the time be adjusted to go well with one’s style and warmth tolerance. The ultimate step of including the cooked beef and wilted greens ties the stew collectively. And that’s it, your efo riro is able to be loved with white rice, eba, and a bunch of different issues.