by Fatima Sani | Jan 8, 2022 | Local Delicacies
Kunun Tsamiya recipe is a northern Nigerian delicacy that is mainly made from powdered millet and tamarind (tsamiya) – that is where the name even came from. It is a very common drink among the Hausas especially for nursing mothers as it is believed that it helps increase breast milk.
Without any delay, let’s get into how it is been prepared. Allow me to be your guide
Equipment for Making Kunun Tsamiya.
Sieve
Bowl
Cheesecloth
Cooking pot
Scoop
Ingredients
2 cups of powdered millet.
Tamarind in the quantity desired.
Spices (dried pepper, ginger, cloves.
Sugar
Water
Procedure for Preparing Kunun Tsamiya
STEP 1: Wash the millet and soak it for 6 hours. You could soak it overnight if you intend to make it in the morning.
STEP 2: By now, the millet grains are soft. Wash again with clean water and add your spices – dried pepper, ginger, and cloves.
STEP 3: Take it to grinders to grind it for you. After grinding, leave it to cool for 10 minutes.
STEP 4: Add more water to the ground millet to enable you to sieve it well and set it aside.
STEP 5: Over medium heat, place a clean pot and add water and tamarind into the pot. Allow it to boil. Alternatively, you could soak it for 30 minutes if you have enough time to spare.
STEP 6: Pour the powdered millet into a clean bowl and add some water. Stir it very well with a spoon of your choice.
STEP 7: When STEP 5 has reached boiling point, take it down and pour the boiling water into the mixed millet powder.
STEP 8: After that, start stirring it gently. But when it gets too thick for your liking, you can still add some water.
STEP 9: Add sugar to your taste to the Kunun Tsamiya and you are done!
As easy as that!
How to Serve Kunun Tsamiya
You can take Kunun Tsamiya recipe with Akara (Beans Cake), Kuli-Kuli (Groundnut Cake), Cincin, or any snack of your choice. It will interest you to know that you could just take this recipe alone without anything to go with it – it tastes just fine.
Occasions to Serve Kunun Tsamiya
To the best of my knowledge, there are no special occasions for the consumption of this pap recipe. This means that it can be consumed anywhere and anytime. Well, as I said earlier, it is advisable for breastfeeding mothers to take it as it is said to increase breast milk flow.
How to Store Kunun Tsamiya
Kunun Tsamiya recipe in its best quality does not last for more than 24 hours. In addition, it cannot be stored in a refrigerator. On that note, I suggested you make just enough for present consumption.
Nutritional Value of Kunun Tsamiya
Kunun Tsamiya’s health benefits cannot be overemphasized as it helps in heart health, diabetes management, and helps prevent asthmatic symptoms because of the millet in it.
Because of the Tamarind in it, it helps boost the immune system, improves digestion, improves blood circulation, aids weight loss, fights cancer and rapid aging among others.
Conclusion
As you have seen, this recipe is easy to make but for its taste, you will need to prepare it to feel it firsthand. So tell me, when do you intend to make it? For a change, try and make this for breakfast for yourself or your family.
If you find this article helpful, please leave a comment in the comments section below. Thank you.
You are always welcome to Northpad Nigeria for more local Northern Nigerian delicacies.
by Fatima Sani | Dec 18, 2021 | Local Delicacies
Today, I have come with another northern Nigerian drink for you – Kunun Zaki; Kunu means ‘pap’ the letter ‘n’ is added at the end of the word to show possession; and Zaki meaning ‘sweet’, together we have Kunun Zaki literarily translated as ‘pap for sweet’. Absurd right? Of course yes, but not its sweetness. In this article, I will be sharing with you my expertise in the preparation of Kunun Zaki. Stay with me.
It is worth noting that Southern Kaduna usually called Chongais and called by Hausas ‘Katafawa’ are best known for the making of this recipe. If you have tasted theirs, you will attest to this fact. Anyways, without making you wait for long, let’s quickly get into business!
Equipment for Making Kunun Zaki
2 bowls
Blender
Cooking pot
Cheesecloth
Ingredients
You will need the following ingredients to make Kunun Zaki
3 cups of millet
Sugar to taste
2 liters of water
Spices (dried ginger, dried pepper, and cloves (kaninfari).
Now that you know the ingredients, let’s dive into its preparation:
Procedure for Preparing Kunun Zaki
STEP 1: Pick up dirt from the millet.
STEP 2: Pour the millet into a bowl or a container and wash it with water thoroughly and drain the water. Then;
STEP 3: Pour in another fresh water and allow to soak for 6 hours. If you wish to prepare this drink in the morning, you could soak it overnight. That will do just fine.
STEP 4: By now, the millet is a bit softer than its original state. Now wash the millet again and drain the water.
STEP 5: Add ginger, pepper, and cloves (kaninfari)
STEP 6: Advisably, grind it using a blender if it is in small quantity. However, for large quantities, grind it using a grinding machine (injin nika) in the Hausa language. Grind it until it turns to paste.
STEP 7: Separate the pastes into two different bowls and add a little water to both of them.
STEP 8: Over medium heat, place a clean pot and add water to it. Allow to boil.
STEP 9: Pour the hot water into the first bowl and stir it immediately (this is to avoid forming lumps) until it is thick as if you are preparing pap.
STEP 10: Cover it well and allow cooling. After cooling, add the bowl containing the second paste into it and stir it.
STEP 11: Pour it into a cheesecloth and sieve it. Then;
STEP 12: Add cold water and sugar to your taste.
STEP 1: Ta-da! Your Kunun Zaki is ready!
How to Serve Kunun Zaki
Kunun Zaki is poured into jugs and served in cups. You could take it with Cincin, Fankasau, Dublan, or Buns, some even take it with bread. Because of its cheapness also, unskilled labourers love to take it together with bread to save money.
Occasions to Serve Kunun Zaki
Well, Hausas usually don’t use this drink for occasions or festivals. However, Southern Kaduna serves this in almost all of their occasions, gatherings, festivals, etc.
How to Store Kunun Zaki
Advisably, make this recipe in the quantity you can consume now as it does not last for more than 24 hours unrefrigerated. Regardless, the moment its taste changes to sour, discard it.
On the contrary, it can last for a few days if refrigerated, but its sweetness is greatly altered.
Nutritional Value of Kunun Zaki
Kunun Zaki has the potential to improve the digestive system, protect the heart, improve respiratory health, manage diabetes, and detoxify the body as millet is the major constituent. It also contains a good mix of vitamins and minerals, including calcium, vitamin A (beta-carotene), iron, and potassium because of the cloves (kaninfari in it).
For more health benefits of Kunun Zaki, visit Health Guide Nigeria.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to make Kunun Zaki (Millet Gruel), you should try making it for your consumption or your family. As a Hausa person, you could try serving it on that occasion of yours that is coming soon or a festival for a change. People like positive changes you know, so surprise them.
If you find this article helpful, please leave a comment in the comments section below. Thank you.
You are always welcome to Northpad Nigeria for more local Northern Nigerian delicacies.
