Learn how to make “Abak Atama” and Ukang Ukom Popular Dishes in Cross River and Akwa Ibom States in Nigeria

Abak Atama is a popular Nigerian soup, specifically from the Efik and Ibibio ethnic groups in the Cross River and Akwa Ibom States. This soup is known for its unique flavor, which comes from the use of Atama leaves (a type of local palm nut leaf) and a spicy pepper called Atama pepper. Here’s a basic recipe for preparing Abak Atama soup:

Ingredients:

1. Atama leaves: 1 bunch
2. Palm fruit (banga): 1 cup of palm fruit extract or 1 cup of palm oil
3. Assorted meats: Beef, goat meat, tripe, cow’s foot, etc.
4. Periwinkle (optional): Cleaned
5. Stockfish: A small piece
6. Smoked fish: 1 or 2 medium-sized pieces
7. Atama pepper: 5 to 10 pieces (adjust based on your spice preference)
8. Onions: 1 medium-sized bulb, chopped
9. Ground crayfish: 2 tablespoons
10. Seasoning cubes or powder: To taste
11. Salt: To taste

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Atama Leaves:

• Wash the Atama leaves thoroughly to remove any dirt or impurities.
• Slice the Atama leaves into tiny pieces.

1. Extract Palm Fruit Juice:

• If using fresh palm fruit, boil the palm fruit until it’s soft. Pound and extract the juice. If using palm oil, heat it to clear any impurities.

1. Cook the Meats:

• In a pot, cook the assorted meats with chopped onions, seasoning cubes/powder, and salt until tender.

1. Add Palm Fruit Extract or Oil:

• Add the palm fruit extract or oil to the pot. Allow it to dissolve into the broth.

1. Add Smoked Fish and Stockfish:

• Add the smoked fish and stockfish to the pot. Allow the soup to simmer until the fish is well-cooked.

1. Prepare Atama Pepper:

• Grind the Atama pepper into a smooth paste using a mortar and pestle.

1. Add Atama Leaves and Pepper:

• Add the sliced Atama leaves and Atama pepper paste to the pot. Stir well.

1. Add Periwinkle (Optional):

• If using periwinkle, add it to the pot at this point.

1. Season and Cook:

• Season the soup with ground crayfish, more seasoning cubes or powder, and salt to taste.
• Allow the soup to simmer until the Atama leaves are tender.

1. Adjust Seasoning:

• Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if necessary.

1. Serve:

• Once the Atama leaves are tender and the soup has come together, it is ready to be served.
• Abak Atama soup is typically enjoyed with a starchy side dish like fufu, eba, or pounded yam.

Abak Atama is not only delicious but also showcases the rich culinary traditions of the Efik and Ibibio people in Nigeria. Adjust the spice level and seasonings according to your preferences.

Abak Atama is a popular Nigerian soup, specifically from the Efik and Ibibio ethnic groups in the Cross River and Akwa Ibom States. This soup is known for its unique flavor, which comes from the use of Atama leaves (a type of local palm nut leaf) and a spicy pepper called Atama pepper. Here’s a basic recipe for preparing Abak Atama soup:

Ingredients:

1. Atama leaves: 1 bunch
2. Palm fruit (banga): 1 cup of palm fruit extract or 1 cup of palm oil
3. Assorted meats: Beef, goat meat, tripe, cow’s foot, etc.
4. Periwinkle (optional): Cleaned
5. Stockfish: A small piece
6. Smoked fish: 1 or 2 medium-sized pieces
7. Atama pepper: 5 to 10 pieces (adjust based on your spice preference)
8. Onions: 1 medium-sized bulb, chopped
9. Ground crayfish: 2 tablespoons
10. Seasoning cubes or powder: To taste
11. Salt: To taste

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Atama Leaves:

• Wash the Atama leaves thoroughly to remove any dirt or impurities.
• Slice the Atama leaves into tiny pieces.

1. Extract Palm Fruit Juice:

• If using fresh palm fruit, boil the palm fruit until it’s soft. Pound and extract the juice. If using palm oil, heat it to clear any impurities.

1. Cook the Meats:

• In a pot, cook the assorted meats with chopped onions, seasoning cubes/powder, and salt until tender.

1. Add Palm Fruit Extract or Oil:

• Add the palm fruit extract or oil to the pot. Allow it to dissolve into the broth.

1. Add Smoked Fish and Stockfish:

• Add the smoked fish and stockfish to the pot. Allow the soup to simmer until the fish is well-cooked.

1. Prepare Atama Pepper:

• Grind the Atama pepper into a smooth paste using a mortar and pestle.

1. Add Atama Leaves and Pepper:

• Add the sliced Atama leaves and Atama pepper paste to the pot. Stir well.

1. Add Periwinkle (Optional):

• If using periwinkle, add it to the pot at this point.

1. Season and Cook:

• Season the soup with ground crayfish, more seasoning cubes or powder, and salt to taste.
• Allow the soup to simmer until the Atama leaves are tender.

1. Adjust Seasoning:

• Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if necessary.

1. Serve:

• Once the Atama leaves are tender and the soup has come together, it is ready to be served.
• Abak Atama soup is typically enjoyed with a starchy side dish like fufu, eba, or pounded yam.

Abak Atama is not only delicious but also showcases the rich culinary traditions of the Efik and Ibibio people in Nigeria. Adjust the spice level and seasonings according to your preferences.

Learn how to make Ukang Ukom (Unripe Plantain porridge) from Cross River and Akwa Ibom States in Nigeria

Ukang Ukom is a traditional meal from Cross River and Akwa Ibom States in Nigeria. Here’s a basic recipe for preparing Ukang Ukom:

Ingredients:

• 10 fingers of unripe plantain
• Dry fish
• Protein of choice (cowleg, beef, goat meat, etc.)
• Scent leaves
• Pepper
• Salt
• Seasoning cubes
• Crayfish
• Vegetable/palm oil

Cooking Instructions:

1. Prepare the Meat:

• Steam the meat until it’s cooked and set it aside.

1. Prepare the Plantain:

• Peel the unripe plantain, wash, and cut it into sizeable chunks in a pot.

1. Season and Cook the Plantain:

• Add seasoning cubes and salt to taste.
• Add enough water to cover the plantain. Cover the pot and put it on fire.

1. Cook Until Soft:

• Allow the plantain to cook for about 20 minutes without stirring. Check if the plantain is soft.

1. Add Dry Fish, Meat, Crayfish, and Pepper:

• Once the plantain is soft, add dry fish, steamed meat, crayfish, and pepper. Stir well.

1. Cook Until Thickened:

• Keep stirring until the paste thickens.

1. Add Oil:

• Add either vegetable or palm oil and stir again.

1. Cover and Allow Oil to Mix:

• Cover for about 5 minutes to allow the oil to mix well.

1. Add Scent Leaves:

• Add the already cut scent leaves. Stir well and bring it down.

1. Serve:

• Your Plantain Porridge (Ukang Ukom) is ready to be served.
• Serve and enjoy with any drink of your choice.

This plantain porridge recipe is versatile and can be enjoyed as a standalone dish or paired with a beverage. Adjust the seasoning and ingredients according to your taste preferences.

Read also Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) and University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)- Rankings, Inception, Courses, Admission Requirements and Current Tuition Fees

Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) and University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)- Rankings, Inception, Courses, Admission Requirements and Current Tuition Fees