Isiewuย translated as โgoat headโ is undoubtedly one of the most popular delicacies that originates from the Eastern Nigeria. Isiewu is an Eastern Nigerian classic for a reason. It is difficult to visit a local pub or joint and not find the food on the menu; also, no Igbo celebration is complete without mounds of this tasty, delicately spicedย traditional Igbo dish that is made with a goatโs head.
If you are visiting the eastern part of the country and looking to have a taste of this palatable, you may want to lodge at hotels suchย The Gate Luxury Apartment, Enugu;Finotel Classy Hotel, Awka;ย Luxury City Royale, Aba, whose chefs are skilled in preparing the delicacy.ย If you,however, are not ready to take an adventure to the east, but you want to have a taste anyway,ย Jumia Travelย has the perfect recipe on how to prepare an authentic and mouth-watering Isi ewu right at home.
You will need:
- ย ย ย 1 Goat Head
- ย ย ย 15 cl (150ml) Red Palm Oil
- ย ย ย 2 teaspoons ground Ehu seeds (Calabash Nutmeg)
- ย ย ย 1 tablespoon powdered edible potash (Akanwu)
- ย ย ย 2 big beef flavored stock cubes
- ย ย ย 2 medium onions ย (1 to cook,1 to garnish)
- ย ย ย About 10 Utazi leaves
- ย ย ย 2 habanero peppers
- ย ย ย Salt (to taste)
Cooking directions:
- ย ย ย ย ย ย Cut the goat head into pieces, excluding the essential parts including ears, tongue etc which you should cut out whole.
- ย ย ย Season properly and cook till the meat is soft and you are left with a very little but rich stock.
- ย ย ย Grind potash into powder and pour in a bowl. Add a small quantity of water (preferably the goat meat broth) and stir well. Pass it through a fine sieve and set the liquid aside.
- ย ย ย Pour the palm oil into a pot andย add the potash mixture into the oil.
- ย ย ย Add the onions, pepper,ย ehu seeds, utazi that has been cut to tiny piecesย and seasoning cubeย and ย stir very well till they are all mixed properly.
- ย ย ย Add the goat head to the palm oil paste and stir very well with a wooden spatula and heat on a cooker until the Isi Ewu is piping hot.
- ย ย ย Serve the Isi Ewu in a wooden mortar and garnish with slices of Utazi and onion rings.
Isi ewu looks like a complicated meal, but it is rather easy to make. Do not forget to share pictures of your endeavour with us. Upload pictures and tag us onย twitterย orinstagram!
Nkem Ndem
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