Miyan Kuka with Tuwon Shinkafa (Baobab Leaf Soup with Rice Swallow)
Local name: Miyan kuka
In short: A thick, slippery Sahel soup of baobab leaf powder, okra, beef and tomato, served with soft balls of mashed rice called tuwo. It takes about 1 h 45 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 1 h 20 min
- Total
- 1 h 45 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 490 kcal
Miyan kuka is a Hausa soup made from powdered baobab leaves, known for its deep green color and silky, slippery texture. It is cooked with beef, okra, tomato, onion and chili, and eaten with tuwo, a soft rice or millet paste rolled into balls. You pinch off a piece of tuwo, press a hollow into it and scoop up the soup. It is everyday food in Hausa kitchens across the Sahel.
Instructions
- Put the beef, half the onions, 1/2 tsp salt and 750 ml water in a pot. Cover and simmer for 45 minutes until the beef is tender.
- Heat the oil in a pan and cook the remaining onions for 5 minutes. Add the blended tomato and chili and cook for 8 minutes until thick and oily.
- Add the tomato mixture, okra and dried shrimp to the beef and stock. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Whisk the baobab powder with 120 ml warm water until smooth. Stir it into the pot a little at a time, then simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring, until the soup is thick and silky. Season with the remaining salt.
- For the tuwo, bring the rice and 800 ml water to a boil in another pot, cover and cook on low for 30 minutes, until the rice is very soft and the water is absorbed.
- Mash the rice with a wooden spoon, pressing hard for 3 to 4 minutes, until smooth and sticky. With wet hands, shape it into 4 balls.
- Serve each ball of tuwo with a generous ladle of hot soup.
Tips
- Baobab leaf powder is sold at African grocers and online. If you cannot find it, try finely chopped spinach with a little extra okra for a similar texture, though the flavor will differ.
- Whisk the powder into warm water first. Adding it dry to hot liquid makes lumps that never smooth out.
Questions and answers
What does miyan kuka taste like?
It is earthy and slightly tangy, with a silky, slippery texture like okra. The beef, tomato and dried shrimp give it a savory depth.
Can I use millet or maize instead of rice for the tuwo?
Yes. Millet tuwo and maize tuwo are both common. Stir the flour into boiling water and cook, stirring hard, until it is stiff and smooth.
Can I make miyan kuka without meat?
Yes. Skip the beef and dried shrimp, use water or vegetable stock, and add mushrooms for body. Cook the okra and baobab as in the recipe. It will taste lighter.
How long does it take to make Miyan Kuka with Tuwon Shinkafa (Baobab Leaf Soup with Rice Swallow)?
About 1 h 45 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 1 h 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Miyan Kuka with Tuwon Shinkafa (Baobab Leaf Soup with Rice Swallow)?
About 490 kcal per serving, with 21 g of protein, 64 g of carbohydrates and 17 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 490 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 21 g |
| Carbohydrates | 64 g |
| Fat | 17 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 700 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
