This delicious tomato-based Nigerian Beans (Ewa Riro) is a warming and comforting stewed beans dish. Serve as a main or side.
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Stewed beans, also known as beans porridge, are a Nigerian delicacy. The most traditional beans used for this dish are black-eyed beans and Nigerian honey beans, but you can choose between the two.
One thing I love about this recipe is that it does not require many ingredients or much cooking. All you have to do is add a few ingredients to a pot, stir everything together, check it occasionally, and add water if necessary.
You may also enjoy these: Gizzard Recipe, Nigerian Jollof Rice Recipe, Yam Porridge (Asaro) Spicy Grilled Tilapia Recipe and Nigerian Tomato Stew Recipe.
Why This Recipe Works
- This stewed beans dish is filling, nutritious and flavorful.
- This recipe requires less than six ingredients.
- There are many different ways to cook ewa riro so you can choose from these two methods.
- You can adjust the seasoning to suit your taste.
Nigerian Beans (Ewa Riro) Ingredients
- Beans: As mentioned above, you should use honey or black-eyed beans for this recipe. Pour dry beans onto a tray and pick out excess dirt or stones. This step is really important because you don’t want to bite into a stone! Then, rinse the beans 2-3 times.
- Onions: For this recipe, use white onions. Chop or dice the onions as thinly as possible so that they disappear.
- Knorr chicken seasoning cubes: Chicken seasoning cubes are added to many Nigerian dishes, and most Nigerians have this ingredient in their cupboard. Add 1-2 cubes to add a burst of savory flavor!
- Salt to taste: Add salt to taste but not too much if you use chicken stock seasoning.
- Oil: to cook the beans.
Tips and Substitutions
- Add-ins: To enhance the flavor of this dish, add 1 tablespoon of ground-dried crayfish to the tomato blend. You can also add sweetcorn.
- Beans: Cook the beans for the correct time to ensure they are not too firm.
- Cooking: Check the Ewa as it cooks and stir occasionally. The beans may need extra water to prevent burning.
How to Cook Ewa Riro with Tomatoes
This method is considered more traditional and includes a richer tomato base.
- Start by adding 3-4 cups of cleaned and washed beans to a medium saucepan. Pour water into the beans (about two centimeters above the beans) and cook for 15-20 minutes or until soft.
- Meanwhile, add ½ -1 can of plum tomato, ½-1 onion and 1 scotch bonnet to a blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour the blended mixture into the saucepan. Add 3-5 tablespoon of palm oil, salt to taste, and 1-2 Knorr chicken seasoning cubes. Stir it all together and cook for 15-30 minutes or until done. Check the beans and stir them every 5-7 minutes to ensure they do not burn, and add water if necessary.
How to Make a Quick Nigerian Beans (Ewa Riro)
This recipe can be used if you don’t have palm oil or are short on time. The results are just as delicious!
- Add 3-4 cups of washed beans to a medium saucepan. Pour water into the beans (about two centimeters above the beans), add ½ of a thinly chopped onion (optional), and cook for 15-20 minutes or until soft.
2. Then, add a 3-5 tablespoon of vegetable oil, salt to taste, ½-1 cup of water, 1-2 Knorr chicken seasoning cubes, 2-3 tablespoon of tomato puree and pepper to taste (dried spicy red peppers are usually the pepper of choice in this recipe).
3. Stir it all together and cook for 15-30 minutes or until done. Check the beans and stir them every 5-7 minutes to ensure they do not burn, adding water if necessary.
4. Finally, serve these tasty Nigerian stewed beans plain or with agege bread or Fried Plantain Recipe (dodo).
Recipe FAQs
Ewa riro can be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for 3-4 days. You can also freeze ewa for up to 3 months.
Another great thing about ewa riro is that it can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!
Ewa riro can be served as a main or side dish. It is usually eaten alone, or it is served with garri, plantain, agege bread (my favorite), or yam.
Ewa oloyin in English is sweet beans. Ewa riro, is a simple beans porridge meal that can be made in a single pot. You can create a wonderful mix of flavors that will comfort you after a long day using beans, onions, and peppers.
More Delicious Nigerian Recipes
Nigerian Beans (Ewa Riro)
Equipment
- 1 Blender
- 1 Saucepan
Ingredients
- 4 cups honey beans/black eyed beans cleaned and washed
- ½ -1 can of plum tomato
- ½-1 onion chopped thinly
- 1-2 scotch bonnet
- salt to taste
- 1 Knorr chicken seasoning cubes
- 3 tbsp of palm oil
Instructions
- Start by adding 3-4 cups of cleaned and washed beans to a medium saucepan. Pour water into the beans (about two centimetres above the beans) and cook for 15-20 minutes or until soft.
- Meanwhile, add ½ -1 can of plum tomato, ½-1 onion and 1 scotch bonnet to a blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour the blended mixture into the saucepan, add 3-5 tablespoon of palm oil, salt to taste and 1-2 Knorr chicken seasoning cubes. Stir it all together and cook for 15-30 minutes or until done. Make sure you check the beans and stir it every 5-7 minutes to make sure that is does not burn and add water if necessary.
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