TUWO SHINKAFA (Hausa Rice Swallow)

Deborah Olayiwola
Deborah Olayiwola
Deborah is a content marketing specialist, with a passion for the food niche, she writes engaging content that celebrates the joy of food and its power to bring people together. Having worked on different projects. Her curiosity and creativity shines through in her writing.
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Today I want to take you on a delectable journey through the flavors of Northern Nigeria and introduce you to a dish that’s sure to tantalize your taste buds – Tuwo Shinkafa. This traditional rice-based delicacy is a staple in the region, and once you try it, you’ll understand why it’s so loved.

What Kind of Food Is Tuwo Shinkafa?

Tuwo Shinkafa falls under the broader category of “tuwo,” which is a Hausa word that translates to “stiff porridge” or “swallow.” In Nigeria, there are different types of tuwo, each made with a unique ingredient. For example, Tuwo Masara is made from corn, Tuwo Dawa from guinea corn, and Tuwo Alkama is from wheat.

Tuwo Shinkafa, however, stands out as a true Northern Nigerian and Nigerien specialty. It’s a thick, pudding-like dish made from a local, soft, and sticky rice variety that’s slowly cooked until it reaches the perfect consistency for mashing and becomes dough-like.

TUWO SHINKAFA
Image Credit: Facebook

Now, you might be wondering, “Why would I want to eat rice balls?” Trust me, once you’ve tried Tuwo Shinkafa, you’ll understand the appeal. This dish is all about texture and flavor, and when paired with the right accompaniments, it’s simply heavenly.

In Northern Nigeria, Tuwo Shinkafa is traditionally served with a variety of flavorful soups and stews, such as gbegiri (bean soup), miyan wake (bean soup), miyan taushe (pumpkin soup), miyan kuka (baobab leaves soup), egusi (ground melon seeds), and okra soup.

In Ghana, where Tuwo Shinkafa is known as “Omo Tuo,” it’s often enjoyed with groundnut soup or palm nut soup, adding yet another layer of deliciousness to this versatile dish.

Tuwo shinkafa

Tuwo Shinkafa

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine African, Nigerian
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups medium-grain sticky rice
  • water

Instructions
 

  • Rinse the rice well to remove any excess starch.
  • Add the rice to a large pot and cover it with water. Make sure there's ample space in the pot to prevent boil-overs.
  • Place the pot on medium heat and let the water come to a boil.
  • As the liquid is absorbed, reduce the heat to low and test the rice by pressing it between your fingers. You want it to be incredibly soft and soggy, almost melting in your fingers.
  • If the rice isn't soft enough, add a bit more water and continue cooking, testing regularly until it reaches the desired consistency.
  • Once the rice is perfectly soft, reduce the heat to the lowest setting and start mashing and folding the rice against the sides of the pot with a wooden ladle or spoon. This process helps the grains come together and form a stiff dough.
  • Keep mashing and folding until you have a smooth, cohesive mass of dough.
  • Remove the pot from the heat and let the dough rest for a couple of minutes.

Notes

Serve your freshly made Tuwo Shinkafa alongside your favorite Nigerian soup or stew, such as the ones mentioned earlier.
Keyword Tuwo, Tuwo Shinkafa
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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Deborah Olayiwola
Deborah Olayiwola
Deborah is a content marketing specialist, with a passion for the food niche, she writes engaging content that celebrates the joy of food and its power to bring people together. Having worked on different projects. Her curiosity and creativity shines through in her writing.
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