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Dambun shinkafa is a northern delicacy that is gradually finding its way into the home of many Nigerians. Little wonder for dambun shinkafa is nutritious and scrumptious. This delicacy brings together a mix of all food groups in a healthy way. The moringa leaves, carrot, green pepper, makes it similar to fried rice.

Before sharing the recipe for this delicacy with you, let me quickly mention that dambun shinkafa is best prepared with rice that softens easily. Broken rice is the preferred rice for making this delicacy. Jasmine rice can also be used in making this fabulous meal. If you are not living in the north, you can ask Hausa vendors of raw foodstuffs to give you the rice used in cooking tuwo shinkafa. However, if these types of rice are not available, you can grind the rice you have into coarse grits using a dry mill.

Now, dambun shinkafa is traditionally prepared by mixing all the ingredients together before steaming. However, I’m of the view that mixing all the vegetables with the rice before steaming will kill all the nutrients in the vegetables. So, it would be best to divide the vegetables into two. One portion of the vegetables should be steamed alongside the rice and other ingredients while the other portion should be mixed into the rice when it is almost done.

Ingredients

Rice

Rice – Havard Gazette

Carrot

Carrot – Splendid Table

Fresh Moringa Leaves

Morings Leaf – A Healthy Leaf

Scotch Bonnet Pepper

Scotch Bonnet Pepper – Pepper Joe

Spring Onions

Spring Onions – Abel & Cole

Onions

Spinach

Spinach – Organic Facts

Chicken seasoning

Chicken Seasoning – All Recipes

Groundnut Oil

Groundnut Oil – NDTV Foods

Salt

Salt – Times Of India

Butter

Butter – Maxum Foods

How to Cook

Rinse the rice. I prefer to use hot water to rinse mine to get rid of the starch. Use a colander to strain the water then set it aside for later use.

Remove the moringa leaves from the stems. Rinse and chop all the vegetables. Divide the vegetables into two. Mix all the ingredients and one portion of the vegetables with the rice in the colander.

Please note that rice cooker can be used in making dambun shinkafa. However, if you do not have this, you can use a regular pot like I did. To cook this meal, put water in a pot to boil.  When the water comes to the boil, cover the rice in the colander with a muslin cloth then put the colander in the pot. When placing the colander in the pot, be sure that it does not touch the water so that the rice will not lose the nutrient.

From time to time, use a spoon to stir the rice in the sieve. This would ensure that the rice cooks evenly. Monitor the water level in the pot till the rice is cooked. If need be, add more water to the pot. Taste the rice and adjust the seasoning if you need to.

Quickly melt the butter. Once the rice is tender, add the remaining vegetables. Stir and turn off the heat. Pour the rice into a bowl and mix in the butter. Serve hot with beef kebab or peppered chicken. Dambun shinkafa is another great way to enjoy rice. You should try it sometime.

References

IQ Food Platter

Fabulous Nosh and Recipes

featured Image Source: Yaddaake

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This article was first published on 16th August 2019

udevi-obiamaka-angela

Udevi, Obiamaka Angela holds a Master of Arts degree in History & International Studies. She's a freelance writer with a passion for food and healthy living. She can be contacted through her email address, obiudevi@yahoo.com

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