...I found a new use for
donkwa (
dodonkwa, tanfiri)!
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| Funke Koleosho's Donkwa Canapés |
Donkwa is a popular Nigerian street snack made from roasted, dried and milled maize and groundnuts. Though some may argue that the maize need not be roasted before drying, but it is generally agreed that to get a really good outcome, the maize and groundnut must be milled into fine powder before use. Sugar and chilli powder are optionally added to spice the
donkwa up. Depending on the locality, ground tiger-nuts (
ofio) or ginger may also be added.
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| Donkwa |
It isn't really very practical to make
donkwa at home especially if you are not resident in Nigeria, because the ingredients cannot be readily sourced; its much more easier to purchase some from a "reliable" vendor.
Being the very adventurous foodie that I am, I was determined to make some
donkwa in my own kitchen so I begged a family member based in Kaduna (Northern Nigeria) to get me powdered maize, and groundnut. After months of waiting, these finally arrived through someone visiting the UK and I was really excited to get busy with them. Based on some information I found about
donkwa in one of my food technology journals, I coined out a recipe for my home-made
donkwa canapés.
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| Donkwa |
If you are not as keen in as I am, by all means purchase some ready made
donkwa. Then break the
donkwa balls (adjust tastes and texture with pepper, sugar or oil) and re-mould into your preferred shape/size to suit your purpose. (Could not find any suitable alternatives to milled maize or groundnuts. Frankly I don't feel that you can make
donkwa from anything other than milled maize and groundnuts otherwise it won't be
donkwa....)
Donkwa, though eaten as a snack, is actually perfect served as a starter or as party canapés
as demonstrated in my recipe detailed below.
What you need
- 450g Milled dried maize
- 120g Milled dried groundnut
- 1-2 tablespoons of peanut oil
- Half a teaspoon of black pepper or chilli powder (This is optional. You can add more or less than the quantity specified here)
- 1-2 teaspoons of caster sugar (Caster sugar is preferred because it will blend better with the other ingredients)
- Peanut butter
What to do
- Sieve the maize powder to remove lumps, chaff or other impurities. Likewise inspect the groundnut powder and remove any lumps or impurities.
- Combine all the ingredients (except the peanut oil) in a bowl and blend well to ensure even distribution of all ingredients. You can use your hands or a wooden spoon.
- Add the oil a little at a time and mix well. On adding the oil, the blend will begin to solidify. Continue to add the oil until the blend becomes solid enough to be moulded without crumbling/breaking.
- Mould into any shape of your choice using miniature jelly or cake moulds. Or simply make them into balls by rolling small portions in your hands.
- Serve with some crunchy peanut butter.
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| Donkwa Canapés |