#FoodTravelSeries Ep.2: A Taste of Nigeria

Food is a universal language! Last month we chose to celebrate #AfricaDay2020 through food!
⠀
When it comes to food in particular, the continent boasts a very wide variety of cuisines and delicacies spread across our various regions and countries. Being born and raised in England, if I really think about it my first introduction to Nigerian culture was through food. At 4 months old, my mother began feeding me Nigerian solid foods. It made me familiar to the flavours and diverse taste Nigerian cuisine has to offer. It helped shape my palate to what it is today. Enough about me for now, let me introduce you to Bami.
⠀
Bammy takes us to Nigeria with a popular dish called Efo Riro. Efo riro is derived from the Yoruba language in Nigeria. Efo means ‘Green leafy vegetable’ or ‘spinach’, and riro, means ‘to stir’. So basically, Efo riro simply means stirred leafy vegetable. It is served best with rice or your favourite swallow like Amala, Fufu and pounded yam. It makes a great meal to have with your family at home and likewise can be enjoyed in Nigerian parties amongst the popular party jollof rice. ⠀⠀

⠀
Bammy Awogbami is the CEO of Bamz’ Aroma which specialises in Nigerian and Seafood Cuisine.⠀⠀
⠀⠀
‘’ Learning food from different cultures introduces me to new flavours and recipes. I officially started my business nearly 4 years ago while I was at university. Prior to that, I cooked for a friend who hosted his ACS voters before he became the ACS President. People were curious to know who made the foods and were ready to make their orders, so that was the beginning of the journey to the food business world. ⠀⠀
⠀⠀
A part from cooking being my hobby, it was an income at University at the time. I got into the food business because I love to see people happy. The expression on their faces when they take a bite of tasty meal does it for me. Aside for Efo Riro served with pounded yam, I will recommend Suya! ⠀⠀
⠀⠀
If you would like to follow me on this journey, add me on Instagram @bamz_aroma. I frequently do food tutorials, so you can learn something new. ‘’⠀⠀

Makes 6 Servings | Prep Time: 10 minutes| Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Efo Riro Ingredients:

• 3 Bunches of Spinach
• 3 Scotch Bonnet Chillies (Atta Rodo) * use according to preference.
• 2 Red Bell Peppers (Tatashe)
• 1 Tbsp Lotcust Beans (Iru)
• 1/2 Cup of PalmOil
• 1 Tbsp Maggi Cube
• 1 Tsp Flavour Enhancer (Optional)
• 1 Medium Onion
• Pinch of Himalayan Salt
• Assorted Meats of Your Choice (Goat meat, Cow skin, Shin beef, Cow reed/ Abodi, Tripe)

How to make Efo Riro:

You can watch Bami show you how to make Efo Riro in the video below. If you do try Bami’s Efo Riro recipe, share your pictures by tagging @diywithjoy_ and @bamz_aroma using the hashtag #FoodTravelSeries

View this post on Instagram

Food is a universal language! Yesterday we chose to celebrate #AfricaDay2020 through food!🌍⠀ ⠀ When it comes to food in particular, the continent boasts a very wide variety of cuisines and delicacies spread across our various regions and countries. ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ Being born and raised in England, if I really think about it my first introduction to Nigerian culture was through food. At 4 months old, my mother began feeding me Nigerian solid foods. It made me familiar to the flavours and diverse taste Nigerian cuisine has to offer. It helped shape my palate to what it is today. Enough about me for now! ⠀ ⠀ Thank you to everyone that tuned in live to watch @bamz_aroma take us to Nigeria with her cooking tutorial of Efo Riro with pounded yam.😋🇳🇬⠀⠀ (See the previous post for the ingredients) ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ Efo riro is derived from the Yoruba language in Nigeria. Efo means ‘Green leafy vegetable’ or ‘spinach’, and riro, means ‘to stir’. So basically, Efo riro simply means stirred leafy vegetable. It is served best with rice or your favourite swallow like Amala, Fufu and pounded yam. It makes a great meal to have with your family at home and likewise can be enjoyed in Nigerian parties amongst the popular party jollof. ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ Bammy Awogbami is the CEO of Bamz’ Aroma which specialises in Nigerian and Seafood Cuisine.⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ‘’ Learning food from different cultures introduces me to new flavours and recipes. I officially started my business nearly 4 years ago while I was at university. Prior to that, I cooked for a friend who hosted his ACS voters before he became the ACS President. People were curious to know who made the foods and were ready to make their orders, so that was the beginning of the journey to the food business world. ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ A part from cooking being my hobby, it was an income at University at the time. I got into the food business because I love to see people happy. The expression on their faces when they take a bite of tasty meal does it for me. Aside for Efo Riro served with pounded yam, I will recommend Suya! ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ If you would like to follow me on this journey, add me on Instagram @bamz_aroma. I frequently do food tutorials, so you can learn something new. ‘’⠀⠀ ⠀

A post shared by Joyce | Food and Travel (@diywithjoy_) on May 26, 2020 at 10:34am PDT

Check out some interesting facts about Nigeria:

⠀
Thanks for tuning in! See you at the next episode of the #FoodTravelSeries