Corn Moi- moi also known as Nni Oka, Igbankwu Oka, Ekoki, Ukpo Oka Or Sapala, is the Nigerian- style ”Tamales”(steamed corn Pudding).
It is a meal that is native to the eastern part of Nigeria. It is usually served during traditional engagements and taste really good.
Corn Moi- moi is also a healthy meal and quite filling due to its high fiber content, so if you’re on a weight loss program this is a meal you can add to your diet, simply substitute the palm oil for tomato stew or your favorite oil and enjoy☺.
So, without further ado, here’s the recipe.
Ingredients
* 5 pieces Fresh Corn on cob OR 500 grams Corn meal(corn flour, not corn starch)
* 1 handful Crayfish
* 1 handful dry large Prawns or dry fish
(fresh prawns goes well too)
* 1 grilled fish (or soft smoked fish)(deboned) (optional)
* 5 medium Onion bulbs( Onions adds to the taste of this meal)
* 2 cooking spoonful Palm oil
* A Handful chopped Spinach Or Ugwu Or Scent leaves(efirin,nchuawun) (optional)
* 2-3 stock cubes/Seasoning cubes(maggi, onga or knorr)
* Chili pepper/scotch bonnet pepper(atarodo)(to taste)
* Water (as needed to form a smooth paste)
* Salt to taste
* Containers of choice for steaming the Moimoi
( you can make use of uma leaves, banana leaves , foil bags, heat proof nylons or bowls)
<<See video recipe here>>
Preparation:
Before preparing the meal;
A. First, break off the prawn heads and tails, boil or soak the dry prawns in hot water to soften it a bit.
If you’ll be using dry fish, boil in salted water until tender. Strain and set aside
If you’ll be using grilled or soft smoked fish, clean , debone and set aside for later use.
Tip: Don’t throw away the prawn heads and tails.You’ll need it in Step 2 below.
B. Slice the vegetables and set aside. The vegetable is optional, so you can leave it out if you want to.
C. Now, Blend the pepper, onions, prawn heads&tails and the crayfish and set aside.
To prepare Corn Moi moi using Corn meal(coarse corn flour)
1. Pour the corn meal(corn flour) into a wide bowl, mix with water to get a thick batter like when making moi moi.
2. Pour the blended mix into the corn meal batter, add the palm oil ,vegetables, softened prawns,seasoning cubes and salt to taste(and any other yummy goodness you’ll like to add to it), and mix well.
3. Finally, Pour into your container of choice, Seal and place in a steamer or pot of boiling water for 45 minutes to 1 hour(the cooking method is the same as that for moi-moi).
4. The Corn Moi moi is ready when it solidifies or hardens. Transfer to a tray, leave to cool a bit, serve and enjoy!
To prepare Corn Moi moi using Fresh Corn on the cob
Follow step A and B above then;
1. Peel off the husk(the green coat of the corn) and remove all the hair-like strands.
Then use a sharp knife to slice down the corn to strip off the seeds from the cob.
2. Now, Place the corn seeds, pepper, onions , prawn heads&tails and the crayfish into a blender and blend together. Add a little water to help move the blades of the blender.
3. Transfer the blended content into a wide bowl, add water to get a lighter but not watery consistency, then add the palm oil , vegetables, softened prawns,seasoning cubes and salt to taste(and any other yummy yummy you’ll like to add to it).
Mix thoroughly until the palm oil is well incorporated.
4. Finally, Pour into your container of choice, Seal and place in a steamer or pot of boiling water for 45 minutes to 1 hour until it solidifies.
Serve and enjoy!
**Do Check out our Moi Moi(steamed bean pudding) recipe. You’ll love it .
I tasted very nice,but my complain is that, the palm oil didn’t mixed with the batter .it was floating
Author
Thanks for your feedback Annie. You are right about the palm oil floating,
you can heat up the palm oil first, let it cool first before adding it.
That might make a little difference
Pls how many calories and is it weight loss friendly
Thanks so much this is what I have been looking for because there is no fresh corn here where I am
Author
You are welcome Susan
Hello, I want to know if I can use the yellow raw but blended corn to make it. should I also seive it ?
Good evening Nky, please can dried corn be used to prepare the pudding?
Good evening Nky, please can dried corn be used to prepare the pudding?
Good evening Nky, please i can I use dried corn as well to prepare the pudding?
Can I use the same corn flour used in making buns and chin chin to make the corn moi moi
Can I use the same corn flour used in making buns and chinchin cchin to make corn moi moi.
WOW…….MY DEAR MAY GOD BLESS YOU. I SPOILT MY HUBBY WITH SO MANY RECIPES AND HE LOVED THIS FOOD MORE. THANK YOU.
I'm so glad I came across this your site/recipe….I'm in the US and I bought corn-flour for the 1st time thinking I have to prepare it like poundo-yam or amala , unfortunately I've wasted half of the bag 'cos it never turned out right and ended up in the trash. I only just decided to check google if I would see anything on the preparation and I landed here!We call it ekuru-agbado, and I think some yorubas refer to it as abari.I've missed this my favorite local dish so much….My mom would use garden-eggs (egg-plant) in place of the vegetables.I can't wait to try it out soon. So glad all my corn-flour is not ending down the drain. Thank you!
Please can I use can from canned foods to steam it. I dnt know if I can get leaves now and I and I want to try it dis weekend thanks
Yooooooooooooooooo! This moi moi gave me life :DIt was soooo yummy. It really reminded me of my mom's cooking. It reminds me of a tamale with the corn instead of the usual black eyed peas.Thanks for this recipe! Bringing some to my boyfriend's tomorrow.
you just reminded about this food, I will try making one soon. thanks for this teaching…good job my dear.
Nky can soak my corn fresh corn over nite before blending it
yes you can dearie.
Can I use already cook corn
Author
No Omo
Hi, how long do you boil or simmer it?
45 minutes to 1 hour until it solidifies.
God will bless u nky u re a darling muaah
You too sweetie 🙂
Wow I got d receipe right buh I used biscuit bones n meat + plaintain. I prepared mine yesterday after many years weh d fin d hungry Me,I was actually confused if I did d wrong fin, so I decided to ask google dn I found u. my hubby n sis dint liky bc it was his first tym. Buh d procedure u took was exactly hhw I did mine. Anyway thank God I found U. can u please give Me ur channel ID. Amyra
I'm glad to be of help dearie, my channel id is NIGERIANFOODTV.
Haba! You have this one too. You be correct babe oh!!!I add blended (very) ripe plantains to give it a sweet taste sometimes or I actually add sugar!Lol!I loooooove this recipe. Its my usual june to September (corn season) dish. I used to make it so much that sometimes my parents sometimes placed a cap on the number of times I could do it in a year.lolBut it is awesome! I just had it for dinner and I am about to get another helping now.Well done. I really appreciate your good work. Please preserve our culture for our taste buds and those of our children.
Yes dear, I have it ooo :)Thanks for your lovely comment, I like your idea of adding plantains, that's how I make plantain moi moi, but with more plantain, less corn flour(in the absence of plantain flour).
Gud job nd God bless
thanks 🙂
wow, i like cooking n baking alot, xpecially trying out new tins. I'll sure try dis out n come bck to testify. I promise.
That's really nice dearie, I'll be expecting your feedback 🙂
pls lily, wen using d fresh corn, can it be per boiled a little first b4 blending it with d other ingredient u mentioned?
I haven't tried it yet, but most of the corn flour at the market were actually made from parboiled corn.
Please can i use foil paper and the placed in oven temp 180 for 45mins instead of cooking like moi moi.Thanks
Yes you can, but I prefer steaming because it makes it really moist, while the oven sucks up the moisture.
I hated this meal as a kid but now that I made it myself I enjoyed it, maybe my mum wasn't making it well (forgive me mummy). Thanks for the recipe Nky)
Lol..Thanks dear, I think your taste bud has changed a bit,now that you're grown 🙂
Good day Nky . I love ur blog and recipes so much. Please can I use dried corn to prepare this recipe?
Author
Thanks Ugo, you can use dried corn, but you have to grind the corn
to be able to get the corn flour for the recipe.
I made it today, I used smoked fish and fresh prawns ,it was very yummy, now I have another use for my steamer.Thanks for bringing back good old memories
You're welcome 🙂
It's been long i tried this.Thanks for sharing the recipe, i might try this very soon:)The Beautiful Eagle's Blog
You're welcome Ugo, and you have a lovely blog dear 🙂
Thanks Ma'amThe Beautiful Eagle's Blog
I ate this moi moi a lot in the university and enjoyed it a lot, thanks for the recipe.
You're welcome dearie 🙂
WOW WOW WOW.. picture perfect. I must try this one.
Let me know how it turns out dearie 🙂
You just reminded me of my grandmother, this used to be her favorite meal. You are a blessing to this generation. God bless you .
My grandma loved this meal too, God bless dearie 🙂
Can i use dried corn for it or must it be fresh corn
Author
You’ll have to soak the corn or
grind it dried and use as corn flour
as in the recipe