How to Make Kunun Zaki (Millet Gruel)

How to Make Kunun Zaki (Millet Gruel)

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.

How to Prepare Your Delicious Dan Sululu

How to Prepare Your Delicious Dan Sululu

Dan Sululu is a local northern Nigerian dish mostly consumed by the Hausas specifically. It is delicious, quite fast, and easy to prepare, kind of like Danwake. Also, it is usually common among less privileged and average families. In this article, I will be teaching you how to make Dan Sululu recipe. Stay with me.

This delicacy basically contains cassava. The back of the cassava is peeled and then spread under the sun to dry. When dried, it is then taken and grinded into fine flour. Interestingly, you do not need to pass through this process as cassava flour can be found in our local markets at affordable prices.

Without any further ado, let’s dive into its preparation!

Equipment for Making Dan Sululu

Sieve

Bowl

Cooking pot

Frying pan

Colendar

Ingredients

We will be needing the following ingredients to make this delicious northern Nigerian cuisine:

3 cups of cassava flour

Pepper (grinded)

½ cup of palm oil

5 average cups of water

A small piece of potash (kanwa)

Procedure for Preparing Dan Sululu

STEP 1: Grind the dried cassava into powder and allow it to cool.

STEP 2: Sieve the powder to remove the shafts and grains. Then;

STEP 3: Add a little soaked potash into the cassava flour.

STEP 4: Pour water and stir till the powder turns into a paste. Ensure it is neither too hard nor too soft.

STEP 5: Over medium heat, get a pot containing water and allow to boil.

STEP 6: Pinch and dump the dough into the boiling water in the desired shape and size. Stir the boiling dumplings with a wooden spoon or any spoon of your choice and allow them to boil for about 10 – 15minutes.

STEP 7: Turn off the cooker and allow the dumplings to cool a little. This is to avoid possible injury when embarking on the next step.

STEP 8: Extract the dumplings from the boiling pot and put them in clean cold water. Wash and drain until the water turns somewhat clean, and your Dansululu delicacy is done.

STEP 9: Next, get your frying pan over low heat, add some vegetable oil into it. Also, slice your onions and add them to the frying pan. Allow frying for 5 minutes.

How to Serve Dan Sululu

Normally, Dansululu is dished with a little palm oil or vegetable oil, maggi, salt, and grinded pepper. Nowadays, people prepare to garnish it more by adding cabbage, boiled egg, raw sliced tomato, and meat cut into small pieces.

Occasions to Serve Dan Sululu Best

Most times, this delicacy is consumed as an appetizer. However, it can be taken as any of the three basic meals – breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Also, it is best to know that making it for any Eids, festive periods, or any get-together consisting of a considerable number of people isn’t advisable because it will take a lot of time and effort to prepare.

How to Store Dan Sululu

Just like Danwake, Dan Sululu doesn’t last for more than 24 hours. On that note, I will advise you to prepare just the quantity enough for present consumption to avoid spoilage.

Nutritional Value of Dan Sululu

Dan Sululu contains basically cassava, which is a good source of carbohydrates. It will give us the necessary energy we need to carry out our daily activities. Because it is dished with other ingredients such as pepper, onion, maggi, cabbage, and boiled, they increase its richness in nutrients.

Conclusion

As you have seen, making Dan Sululu is like a walk in the park as only a little effort is needed. It also doesn’t consume much of your time except if you intend to make it in large quantities like for festivals, naming ceremonies, etc.

Now that you know how to make Dan Sululu recipe, tell me in the comments section below when you will be making yours.

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