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After a long day, preparing dinner can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re short on time. Luckily, Nigerian cuisine offers a variety of quick and flavorful meals that are perfect for busy weeknights. These recipes feature local ingredients, bold flavors, and minimal preparation time, making them ideal for families and individuals alike.
1. Jollof Rice with Vegetables
This classic Nigerian dish can be made faster by using pre-cooked rice or cooking the rice while preparing the sauce.
Ingredients:
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- 3 cups cooked rice
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, green beans)
- 1/2 cup tomato paste
- 2 cups stock (chicken or vegetable)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 tsp curry powder
Instructions:
- Heat oil in a pan and sauté onions. Add tomato paste and fry for 5 minutes.
- Stir in stock, curry powder, and vegetables. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add the cooked rice, mix well, and cook for 5 more minutes.
2. Eba and Okro Soup
Eba is a quick and easy Nigerian staple that pairs perfectly with okro soup.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup garri
- 1 cup okro, chopped
- 1/2 cup palm oil
- 1/2 cup chopped spinach
- 1 tbsp ground crayfish
Instructions:
- Boil water and mix in garri to form eba. Set aside.
- Heat palm oil in a pot, add okro, and stir-fry for 3 minutes.
- Add water, crayfish, and spinach. Simmer for 5 minutes and serve with eba.
3. Spaghetti Jollof
This one-pot meal is a lifesaver on busy nights, with all the flavors of jollof rice but quicker to prepare.
Ingredients:
- 1 pack spaghetti
- 1/2 cup tomato paste
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 cup chicken or beef stock
- 1 tsp thyme
Instructions:
- Cook spaghetti until slightly underdone and set aside.
- In a pot, sauté onions, add tomato paste, stock, and thyme. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Mix in the spaghetti and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
4. Plantain and Egg Sauce
Plantain and egg sauce is a simple and satisfying dish that’s ready in under 20 minutes.
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe plantains, sliced
- 4 eggs
- 2 tomatoes, diced
- 1 onion, chopped
Instructions:
- Fry plantain slices until golden brown and set aside.
- In a pan, sauté onions and tomatoes. Add whisked eggs and scramble.
- Serve the egg sauce with fried plantains.
5. Beans and Corn (Adalu)
Adalu is a hearty, nutritious meal that combines beans and corn into a flavorful dish.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked beans
- 1 cup sweet corn
- 1/4 cup palm oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 tbsp ground crayfish
Instructions:
- Heat palm oil in a pot, add onions and crayfish, and fry for 2 minutes.
- Add cooked beans and corn, stir well, and simmer for 5 minutes.
6. Fried Yam and Pepper Sauce
Crispy fried yam paired with spicy pepper sauce is a quick and delicious dinner option.
Ingredients:
- 1 yam tuber, peeled and sliced
- 2 cups vegetable oil
- 4 red peppers, blended
- 1 onion, chopped
Instructions:
- Fry yam slices until golden brown and set aside.
- Heat oil in a pan, add onions and blended peppers, and fry for 5 minutes.
- Serve the fried yam with pepper sauce.
7. Indomie Noodles with Vegetables
Indomie noodles are a go-to option for a quick and satisfying meal. Adding vegetables enhances the flavor and nutrition.
Ingredients:
- 2 packs Indomie noodles
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, cabbage, peas)
- 1 tsp ground pepper
Instructions:
- Cook noodles according to package instructions.
- In a pan, stir-fry vegetables and ground pepper.
- Mix the noodles with vegetables and serve hot.
8. Moi Moi and Bread
Moi Moi, a steamed bean pudding, pairs well with bread for a filling and easy dinner.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups peeled beans
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 tbsp ground crayfish
Instructions:
- Blend beans with water, onion, and crayfish until smooth.
- Mix in oil and pour into greased containers. Steam for 45 minutes.
- Serve with bread for a quick dinner.
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9. Peppered Gizzard and Plantain
This spicy and savory dish is a favorite for its bold flavors and simplicity.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb gizzards, cleaned and boiled
- 2 ripe plantains, sliced
- 1/2 cup pepper sauce
Instructions:
- Fry plantains until golden brown and set aside.
- Toss boiled gizzards in pepper sauce and fry for 5 minutes.
- Serve gizzards with fried plantains.
10. Banga Soup and Starch
Banga soup is a rich palm nut dish that can be quickly prepared using canned palm fruit extract.
Ingredients:
- 1 can palm fruit extract
- 1 cup cooked meat or fish
- 1/2 cup chopped vegetables
- 1 tbsp ground crayfish
Instructions:
- Heat palm fruit extract in a pot, add meat or fish, and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Stir in vegetables and crayfish, cook for 5 more minutes, and serve with starch or rice.
Conclusion
These 10 quick and easy Nigerian dinner recipes are perfect for busy weeknights. They are packed with flavors, use locally available ingredients, and are easy to prepare. Whether you’re in the mood for jollof rice, plantain, or peppered gizzard, there’s something for everyone. Try these recipes and make weeknight dinners hassle-free!
