Hey guys,
I hope all is well. Summer is pretty much here. That means, time to get that body extra snatched than ever. The problem with that, is that I love food. I am a self-proclaimed foodie. I especially love being Nigerian and eating all the foods my culture has to offer. However, sometimes the hearty Nigerian food can be very high in calories. Don’t fret! I have some tips on making healthier, lower calorie version of your favorite Nigerian dishes.
- Green Plantain Pounded Yam
This meal is for anyone that wants to eat a “swallow” (pounded yam, eba, iyan) without gaining weight.
You take 1 green plaintain and cut it up. Put it in the blender. Then, add about a cup or a handful of oatmeal (flavorless) and put it in the blender. Add some water and blend. The mixture will be liquidized. Take the mixture and microwave it for 3 minutes. Add a little water and stir. Then microwave it for another 1-2 minutes. The consistency should look like the picture above.
Pair this “pounded yam” with kale (efo) to make it even healthier than regular spinach.
2. Sweet Potato Asaro (Yam Porridge)
Yams are delicious. However, they can be slightly fattening. If you are craving yam porridge, substitute the yams with sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes have less calories and are more nutrient dense.
Peel the sweet potatoes and chop them into pieces. Let it boil for some time. Blend fresh tomatoes, habenero peppers, and onions. Add the mixture to your boiling potatoes. If you like, add some tomato paste and tomato sauce. Season with your choice of Maggi, Adobo seasoning, Cayenne, and Caribbean seasoning. When the yams are soft, mash them together.
3. Brown Rice Jollof with boli (roasted plantain)
Make your regular jollof rice recipe, but use brown rice instead. Also, roast or bake your plantains instead of frying them. They taste just as good.
Well, that’s all I have for today. If you are interested in more healthy food options, let me know in the comments or the contact section. I hope you enjoy.
Stay Healthy,
Abisola
