If you’re familiar with Nigerian food, you know and love moi moi – a delicious steamed bean pudding made with peeled black-eyed peas, chilies, onions and spices. It is a much-loved staple dish served with jollof rice, garri, ogi and more.
But what if we took the same time-tested approach and turned it into something sweet? One day, I was daydreaming and thought: What would happen if I met chocolate? Just like that, a new recipe was born: Chocolate Moi Moi, a delicious twist on a classic with a soft texture similar to steamed chocolate cake or rich pudding…but made entirely from beans!
This recipe follows the exact same technique as traditional moi moi, but instead of using salty ingredients, we substitute naturally sweet ingredients, cocoa, and melted chocolate.
turn out:
– gluten free
– Dates are naturally sweetened
– Rich in protein and fiber
– Chocolatey but not overly sweet
raw material
(5 in total)
– 300g peeled beans
– 200g red dates (chopped)
– 500ml water for mixing
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 35g cocoa powder
– 100g chopped dark chocolate or chocolate chips
method
1. Soak the beans in water for about 4 hours, then rinse and drain.
2. Chop the dates and soak them for an hour to soften. This makes mixing easier and creates a natural caramel-like sweetness without added sugar.
3. Place soaked beans, dates and 500ml water into a blender. Blend until completely smooth and creamy. Transfer to a mixing bowl.
4. Add olive oil and cocoa powder and stir.
5. To take things to the next level, fold it up 100g chopped dark chocolate Or chocolate chips. These melt into rich little pieces in the pudding.
6. Put the mixture into moi moi leaves (see video for method) or molds and steam over low heat for 1 hour.
7. When finished, allow the package to cool slightly before opening. You should end up with a perfectly set, tender pudding that holds its shape – firm but melt-in-your-mouth soft, with streaks of melted chocolate inside.
It’s rich but not overpowering, slightly sweet, chocolatey, and packed with healthy protein. It’s an unexpected dessert that’s both nostalgic and refreshing.
Service concept
– Serve hot, drizzled with hot plant-based chocolate sauce.
– Serve with fresh strawberries or sliced banana.
– Top with coconut flakes or chopped peanuts.
– Chill in refrigerator for a firmer, fudge-like texture.
Let me know in the comments – do you think this twist on a Nigerian classic is genius or just too risky? Have more ideas for sweet moi moi flavors? Throw them down there!
