How to make Onunu

How to make Onunu…

Onunu is a dish served at traditional wedding ceremonies amongst the Ijaws and Kalabari in south-south Nigeria. The first time I had Onunu was about a week ago at a friend’s house. The usual habit of swallowing any mashed looking meal was the way I was going to eat this pounded yam and plantain. When I asked my guest she quickly corrected me to say that you chew this meal. Boy did I enjoy this meal. The sauce that goes with the Onunu, which is a light fish stew, so appropriate particularly when you make it spicy like I do with fish. But of course you can adjust the spice level to tastes. Here is how you make Onunu…

Recipe for how to make Onunu

1  medium slice Yam

1 medium size very ripe Plantain

2 tablespoons PalmOil

1/4 teaspoon salt

 

Method

1. Peel and cut up the yams into small cubes and bring to boil.

2. Peel the plantain, cut into 3 pieces and add to the yam after that has been boiling for about 5 minutes.

3. Add salt when yam and plantain are almost cooked.

4. Cook both till soft and pound adding the palm oil . Pound till yam, plantain and oil is well mixed. Mould into small balls.

 

How to make Fish Sauce for Onunu

2-3 pieces Fresh Fish

Crabs (optional)

1 1/2 cooking spoons Tomato/Pepper/Onion blend

1/4 Onion, chopped

Seasoning to taste

A little dry pepper

2 cooking spoons Palm Oil

Few leaves Partmenjar or Curry leaves

Salt to taste

 

Method

1. Season fish and crab with a little dry pepper, seasoning cubes and allow to marinade for about 20 minutes.

2. Steam fish and crab with a little water for about 5 minutes under low heat and set aside.

3. Heat palm oil . Fry onion till light brown.

4. Add the tomato/ pepper mix and fry for about 5 minutes.

5. Add the seasoning and a little bit more pepper if you want.

6. Add water and cook. The stew  is light like the Yoruba stew used for eating Eba.

7. Taste the stew and check that the tanginess of the tomato is off.

8. Add the fish , crab , curry leaves and the little fish stock and lower the heat to cook the fish and crab. When fish is cooked the stew is ready.

9. Serve with the Onunu.