Akara, also called bean cake or bean fritters, is a popular traditional dish that originated from West Africa. This popular street meal can be found across Nigeria, Togo, Brazil, and the Caribbean. It is deep-fried into small balls which makes it easy to eat as a snack or as a side dish. Akara is not just delicious but also contains nutrients that help with metabolism. These are some of the ways you can choose to sama your akara:
1. Akara and pap/custard
This combo is a constant Sunday breakfast in some homes. Whether you take your akara with your pap or custard(which is heavily milky, of course), it tastes heavenly nonetheless. This is perfect for a quick breakfast before you begin your day.
2. Akara and bread
I think the right name for this is Akara burger–you know, our very own bean cake squashed between soft and fluffy agege bread with the oil seeping into the bread awaiting its devourer. It contains fiber and easily creates a feeling of satisfaction. Once you finish eating this meal, the next thing is just to keep drinking water to stay hydrated, because it can sustain you till the end of that day. Evidence dey, ask my bricklayer brothers.
3. Akara and groceries (garri)
If you ever attended secondary school in Nigeria, then there’s no way you haven’t tried this out before–except you’re an ajebo. I remember this used to be my lunch every weekday for years. When next you take this, try dumping the akara in chunky pieces into your groceries, trust me, you won’t regret it.
4. Akara and dundu (fried yam)
This is a very popular combo. You can find both men and women selling these on the roadsides. It is a quick go-to food for young children and adults as well.
5. Akara and sauce
My brothers and sisters, this combo is way better than the bread and stew you’re forcing down your throats. Yes! Just make sure your sauce has a bit of orishirishi in it, like crayfish. Let me let you in on a little secret. Try opening up your beancake and scoop in a bit of sauce before eating it with relish. I am very sure you will thank me later.
6. Akara and moi moi
I know what you’re thinking–beans and beans? But, no. The fact that they are both prepared with the same ingredients shouldn’t stop us from knacking them together if the throat paves the way. And again, akara is fried while moi moi is steamed, so they taste very different.
Did you know that akara can prevent liver fats and also aid weight loss? Well, now you know. If you are someone like me who usually has weird cravings once in a while, you can complement your akara with anything you like. Till next time, ciao!
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