My Cultural Experiences

THE FOOD: The food may look strange to some people, but I will say it was so delicious, fresh, and fulfilling. I tried many things while visiting. 

Moi Moi:

(Also Moin Moin) is a great dish accessory in Nigeria. It is commonly seen accompanying Jollof Rice, Fried Rice, Fried Plantain, Custard, Akamu (Pap, Ogi) etc. It can even be eaten alone as a snack with a soft drink to wash it down. 

Due to its popularity it is often served in parties, dinners and other special occassions. 

Ingredients:

• 3 cigar cups or 750g Beans (Brown/Black eyed)
• 5 tablespoons ground crayfish
• 4 big stock cubes
• 1 habanero pepper
• 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 3 tatashe peppers or 800g watery tomato puree (sold outside Nigeria)
• 2 big onions
• 20cl vegetable oil
• 2 litres of cool or warm water
• Salt (to taste)

Moi Moi Served with Chicken

                                                         

 Fried Plantains:

Fried plantain is one of the easy and fast Nigerian food recipes. It can be eaten with fried egg, omelette, Moi Moi, Custard, oat meal, rice, akamu (ogi) etc.

Plantain with fresh fish and rice

Shawarma:

Shawarma has got to be the most popular street snack almost everyone enjoys. It’s also pretty easy to make at home. The only hitch you might encounter is finding a good place close to your vicinity where the pita bread (Shawarma bread) could be bought. There are various types of shawarma such as Beef shawarma, Chicken shawarma, Fish shawarma, e.t.c and each shawarma has its own unique taste.

Ingredients:

• 4 medium sized Carrots
• 1 small Cabbage
• 2 medium Sized Green bell pepper
• 1 medium sized cucumber
• 2 tbsp. chili powder
• Mayonnaise
• Ketchup
• 10 pieces Pita Bread(Shawarma bread)
• 14 chunks beef (You could also use Chicken or fish)
• 2 Scotch bonnets (Yellow/Red pepper)
• 1 small onion
• 2 seasoning cubes
• ¼ bulb Ginger
• 4 cloves Garlic
• 1 tsp. Salt
• 1 tsp. Curry
• ½ tsp. thyme
• 3 tbsp. Vegetable oil

A small place on the street outside where we bought the most delicious Shawarma

Fish:

Another thing that I had never experienced was ordering fish and it coming out on my plate with the head still attached. I will say though, this Tilapia was delicious. 

The Hotel:

The hotel was very interesting. It was an apartment building that had been turned into a hotel. It had 6 rooms on each floor and it had 3 floors. Every 3 rooms shared a common area with sofas, television, air conditioning, a half bath, and balcony so that you may have company over and entertain without having to invite them into your bedroom where you sleep. It was gated and had security and the people who worked their were extremely nice, accommodating and helpful.