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
Carrot
Fresh Moringa Leaves
Scotch Bonnet Pepper
Spring Onions
Onions
Spinach
Chicken seasoning
Groundnut Oil
Salt
Butter
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
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