If you’re one of the people who is wondering, “What is nkwobi?” here is a little explanation; Nkwobi is an Igbo delicacy, which is prepared with various types of meats.
Nkwobi is cow leg mixed in a spicy palm oil sauce. Cow leg Nkwobi is the most popular type of Nkwobi, it is a delicacy from Igboland of Eastern Nigeria.
It grew from a beer parlour (pub) favourite to a classy restaurant staple and with this simple recipe, you can have it on your dinner table. Some vendors in most beer parlours, bulk up the cow leg by mixing in cheaper cow skin (ponmo) from the cow’s head and body.
You can also make Nkwobi with goat leg, cow head or cow skin (ponmo), some people even use hard chicken.
COOKING INGREDIENTS
Cow foot (cut into sizeable pieces)
Palm Oil
1 tablespoon powdered edible potash (Akanwu/Kaun/Keun)
1 teaspoon ground Ehu seeds (Calabash Nutmeg)
2 tablespoons ground crayfish
Habanero Pepper (Atarodo)
1 medium onion
Knorr cubes
Salt (to taste)
Onion & Utazi leaves (For garnishing)
COOKING INSTRUCTIONS
Put the powdered potash into a bowl.
Add a small quantity of water (about 4 table spoons) and stir well. Pass it through a fine sieve and set the liquid aside.
Cut 1 onion into 4 big chunks, Pound the pepper with a mortar and pestle. Grind the crayfish, Crack and remove the outer shell of the ehu then grind with a dry mill.
Wash and put the cow foot chunks in a pot, Add your Knorr cubes (crushed) & the chunks of onion.
Add a small quantity of water and start cooking at medium heat till well cooked.
Add just enough water to prevent burning as you cook. There should not be any stock (water) in the pot when the meat is done.
While the meat is cooking, pour the palm oil into a clean dry pot, Pour in the potash mixture (sieved) into the oil.
Stir with a wooden spatula as you pour the potash. You’ll notice the palm oil would begin to curdle and turn yellow.
Keep stiring till all the oil has turned yellow, Add the ground crayfish, pepper and ehu seeds. Stir very well till they are all incorporated.
When the meat is done, add salt, stir and cook till all the water has dried. Add the well done cow foot to the palm oil paste and stir very well with the wooden spatula.
Put it back on the stove/cooker and heat till the Nkwobi is piping hot. Keep stirring it to ensure it does not burn.
To prepare the garnish, cut the onions into rings and cut the utazi leaves into long thin slices.
Serve the Nkwobi in a wooden mortar (if you have one at home) or you can serve nicely in a plate.
Add the thin slices of the utazi leaves & onion rings on top for the full effects. Your Nkwobi is ready!
This meal can be best served with palm wine or a nice chilled glass of juice.
