Akara and Pap - Breakfast Food with Health Benefits

 



Akara and Pap, (Ogi, Akamu) is one of Nigerian local breakfast food that is highly nutritious. It serves as a good source of energy needed to kick start the day on a healthy note. Pap is a processed maize/corn; while Akara African bean fritters is essentially made from blended beans and spice with pepper, onions and salt before deep frying in a vegetable oil.

Basically, there are 2 types of corn, the white or yellow corn. However, this processed corn grains is usually prepared with a hot boiling water to obtain a semi-liquid corn-based meal known to us as Akamu, pap, or ogi; which is a light liquid diet on its own.

Similarly, Pap, akamu or Ogi is a common baby food normally use as a replacement for  breast milk from 6 months old child and above. It's a popular baby food among the nursing women in most West African countries especially in Nigeria.

Pap is an easily absorbed food like custard, which no one thinks is wrong. It is usually taken when someone is recovering from an illness. Pap is breakfast food for everyone both old and young.

Ogi  on the other hand, is primarily made from corn and is made with sugar, milk and water and is best served hot. Akara bean cake, is a very healthy food and is usually served with Ogi/Pap and milk in the morning for breakfast.

Acaraje, Akara, kosai is a good source of  protein derived from beans, This diet provides a healthy replacement to our meat/ animal based proteins. They are blocks builders that helps in healing the damaged tissue in the body. This bean cake also contains soluble fiber, that also lowers cholesterol levels. Some people believe that legumes (beans) can cause indigestion and flatulence, so they don't really like it that much. Interestingly they are such a perfect meal  that helps a lot of people on weight loss diet plan to reduce weight.

Moreover, corn which is our pap is another nutritious and healthy food. Pap (Corn) is a plant that is healthy and Medicinal for heart . It's a food that is completely natural without additives. Rich in potassium, and helps lower BP - easily maintains normal blood pressure. It is suitable for patients with high blood pressure. This diet has a high level of water, while nursing mothers take it in other to help increase breast milk flow smoothly after delivery.

Pap, Ogi food provides a lot of healthy carbohydrates despite all odds . Hence, Together they are a healthy combination with countless nutritional benefits and help prevent many diseases such as stroke and the likes.

How to Make Pap, Ogi, Akamu

Ingredients

·        1/2 cup solid Ogi, Pap (Ground Sorghum)

·        Sugar or Honey

·        Water

 

How to Make Akara Recipe

·        1 cup beans (brown or black eye beans)

·        1 medium size onion

·        2 scotches bonnet pepper (Atarodo)

·        Salt to Taste

·        Vegetable oil for frying

 

Method of preparation

1.     In a deep bowl, dissolve your raw pap/Akamu with cold water for a slightly thick smooth paste

2.     Secondly, in a kettle pour in 3 cups of water and allow boiling

3.     Thirdly, stir in the boiled water into the paste simultaneously until a thick consistency is form, the stop immediately.

4.     Mix your pap very well and add sugar to taste and milk.

Serve hot pap with Akara bean cake

 

 


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