The Northy Letter Week 47 November 2021

The Northy Letter Week 47 November 2021

We have finally come to the end of the month of November. The month lasted several years, who knew we would see the end of it? In this week’s letter from me to you, here is how the week went.

Monday

The day was exhausting but short and for people like you and me who intend to have the best of our short time on earth, it’s important that we take care of ourselves, Aisha Zakari crafted a 30 Day Challenge For Self Improvement and Development. I like the challenges and I think you will too, what do you say we do this together?

Tuesday

On Tuesday, I brought you the opportunity to remain healthy. You can’t remain healthy if you consume just anything that comes your way. Have you ever wondered just How Healthy is Your Diet?

Not just your diet, I also care about your fitness, after all the two go hand in hand so here are the 10 Best Workout Apps in 2021 because I am aware that going to the gym every day can be discouraging. You will burn fuel and time but with this, you have the gym at the tip of your fingers.

I’ve fixed your gym problem, can it get any better? Yes, so go ahead and check out Why You Should Use WhatsApp Business in 2022. If you don’t already use this then your business messages could get mixed up with personal messages, and the last thing I’d want is for you to miss an order.

Wednesday

Have you ever wondered why after a certain meal your breath smells funny? If you are like me and you always carry a mint or gum, but you’ve used it and your breath smells foul still, then you may need to read 10 Surprising Foods That Are Bad For Your Breath because honey, I don’t want you to meet your crush in that state. However, you need to know that that can’t be the worst thing that could happen. You could have a really bad time if you are asthmatic and you eat any of these Foods Every Asthma Patient Should Avoid.

Thursday

Thursday was the storytime. I have heard a thousand stories of myth concerning the Dutsen Amare, even that it was a bride and her cohort that turned into stone. I think it’s high time we dug into the Story of the Mysterious Dutsen Amare to find out the truth about it.

Friday

Friday was giving tips. I always wonder why some siblings live like cats and mice. They just don’t like each other a lot, and it makes you wonder if they are siblings at all and not rivals. Well, we have from Happiness HassanMy Mom Used These 8 Ways to Manage Rivalry with My Siblings, and They Were Quite Effective.

Some people don’t believe in love and they prefer to fold their arms and wait for anything to just come to them but not Abdulganiyu Ibrahim. He takes us on a good ride through his journey and it’s all on I Went to Benue State Searching for Love and This Was What Happened. Do you have a story or you are too afraid to go searching for it? I’m not and I will tell you my story someday.

Ladies, look in the mirror, what do you see first? If it’s your forehead then I bet you we will get along just fine because I have for you 10 Gele Styles for Women with Wide Forehead. I am on your team and you can tell.

Saturday

Saturday gave us Why Parents Need to Understand Child Psychology. Connecting with your child is paramount. And while you are bonding, here are 10 Important Things You Should Teach Your Child because if your child can’t look at you and feel you are their home, then we have got a problem to fix right away.

Sunday

Now for the cherry on the top on Sunday, we brought to right on your doorstep How to Prepare Miyan Shuwaka (Bitter leaf soup) and How to Prepare Miyan Alayyahu (Spinach Soup). These are honestly elite soups, give okra a break.

While you await our newsletter for December, try to have as much fun as you can. It is after all the jingle season. Happy holidays!

How to Prepare Miyan Alayyahu

How to Prepare Miyan Alayyahu

Miyan Alayyahu also known as Spinach Soup is a soup well consumed in northern Nigeria mostly by the Hausas. Yorubas that live in this part of the country also consume it. It is made with fresh spinach. It is quite easy to prepare and tastes delicious. This is one of my favorites of all northern Nigerian soups. Stay with me as I show you how to prepare Miyan Alayyahu.

Equipment for making Miyan Alayyahu

Cooking pot

Kitchen knife

Chopping board

Bowl

Colander

Blender

Ingredients for Preparing Miyan Alayyahu

You will need the following ingredients to prepare Miyan Alayyahu (Spinach Soup):

2 bunches of fresh spinach (alayyahu)

Fresh onions, pepper, and tomatoes (all blended)

Vegetable oil or palm oil

Seasoning cubes (in desired quantity)

Salt to taste

Boiled meat and/or stockfish or dried fish.

Little water

Procedure for Making Miyan Alayyahu

STEP 1: Wash the spinach with water and small salt in a bowl properly.

STEP 2: Chop the spinach to the desired size and set it aside. Then;

STEP 3: Over medium heat, put the cooking pot, add the vegetable oil or palm oil, and some sliced onion. Allow to fry for 3 minutes

STEP 4: Add the ground onion, pepper, and tomatoes and mix. Allow to fry for 5 minutes.

STEP 5: Add a little water and allow to boil for 5 minutes.

STEP 6: Add the fish and/or fish and let it boil till it becomes soft. (Be careful not to add too much water, else, you will ruin the soup).

STEP 7: Add the chopped spinach and seasoning cubes, salt, and leave to simmer for 5 minutes.

STEP 8: Taste the soup to see if you need to add any seasoning. Finally;

STEP 9: Turn off the cooker and your soup is done and ready to be served.

TIPS:

  • Only a little water is needed when cooking Miyan Alayyahu. This is because the spinach has its own water.
  • Don’t worry when you see the quantity of spinach much more than the water in the pot. As you cook, the spinach releases its water content into the soup.

Swallows That Best Goes With It

Miyan Alayyahu (Spinach Soup) is normally taken with Tuwon Shinkafa or Eba.

How to Serve Miyan Alayyahu

Aside from Tuwon Shinkafa and Eba, it could also be served with, Tuwon Masara, Tuwon Alkama, Tuwon Dawa, Tuwon Alabo, and any other swallow of your choice.

Occasions to Best Serve Miyan Alayyahu

This local northern Nigerian cuisine could be taken as breakfast, lunch, and also dinner. More so, it is suitable for occasions like festive periods, wedding ceremonies, naming ceremonies, birthday parties, etc.

It may interest you to check how naming ceremony is conducted in Northern Nigeria.

How to Store Miyan Alayyahu

It is best stored in a refrigerator as it will last for several days. In the absence of a refrigerator nonetheless, it only lasts for a day or two at most, or you will have to be warming it mornings and evenings to last a little bit longer.

Nutritional Value of Miyan Alayyahu

Spinach (alayyahu) is one of the best sources of dietary potassium and magnesium, two very important electrolytes necessary for maintaining human health.

In addition, spinach has been famous for its ability to make one strong. It is dense in vitamins and minerals and low in calories.

Furthermore, eating spinach is important in maintaining healthy skin, hair, and strong bones, as well as helping with lowering the risk of heart disease and helps in digestion. More so, it is beneficial in improving blood glucose control in diabetic patients.

Conclusion

Again, don’t forget that you only need a small amount of water, usually less than the quantity you need in preparing soups like Miyan Taushe, Miyan Karkashi, Miyan Wake, Miyan Kuka, and the likes. Now that you know how to prepare Miyan Alayyahu, you can decide when to try it.

If you find this article helpful, please leave a comment in the comments section below.

You are always welcome to Northpad Nigeria for more local Northern Nigerian recipes.