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Akara, fried bean fritters (Nigeria)

Name: Akara, fried bean fritters (Nigeria)
Total time: 40 min
Yield: serves 4
Ingredients: 300 g Black-eyed peas; 1 Onion; 1 Chili pepper; 1 tsp Salt; 500 ml (for frying) Neutral oil

Preparation time: 40 min
Servings: serves 4

Ingredients

serves 4

Black-eyed peas — to buy300 g
Onion — to buy1
Chili pepper — to buy1
Salt — to buy1 tsp
Neutral oil — to buy500 ml (for frying)

Preparation

Soak the black-eyed peas for 1 hour in cold water, then rub them vigorously between your hands to remove the skins, which would make the fritters heavy.
Drain and blend the beans with the onion and just a little water, until you get a thick, smooth (not runny) paste.
Add the sliced chilli and salt, then whisk the batter vigorously by hand or with a whisk for 3-4 minutes to beat in air: this is what makes akara light and fluffy inside.
Heat the neutral oil in a deep pot to about 175°C.
Scoop dumplings of batter with two spoons and gently drop them into the hot oil, without overcrowding the pot.
Fry for 4-5 minutes, turning halfway through, until the akara are golden outside and cooked through.
Drain on paper towel and serve hot, plain or with bread and a chilli sauce.