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Dakuwa (groundnut and grain balls)
Dakuwa: pounded roasted groundnuts, toasted maize, sugar and ginger pressed into sweet balls
Hawkers in northern towns carry dakuwa on trays to schools and motor parks, and it keeps well enough to be a travelling snack. Roasted groundnuts are pounded with toasted maize or millet, sugar and warm spices until the oil from the nuts binds everything, then pressed into firm balls that are sweet, nutty and gently peppery. No cooking beyond toasting is needed. The usual mistake is over-blending until the nuts turn to butter and the mixture goes greasy; pulse and stop as soon as it holds when squeezed. Chef's tip: shape the balls while the mixture is still warm from the processor, when the oils are soft and it presses together easily.
- Total time
- 40 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 8
Ingredients
- 9 oz roasted unsalted groundnutsskins rubbed off
- 5 ½ oz fine cornmealor millet flour
- 2 ⅞ oz sugar
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)traditional, but optional for children
- 1 pinch salt
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Toast 5 ½ oz fine cornmeal in a dry frying pan over a medium-low heat for 10–12 minutes, stirring constantly, until it smells nutty and turns light beige. Tip onto a plate to cool slightly.
12 minStep 2: Put 9 oz roasted unsalted groundnuts, 2 ⅞ oz sugar, 1 tsp ground ginger, ¼ tsp ground cloves, ¼ tsp cayenne pepper and 1 pinch salt in a food processor and pulse in 1-second bursts until coarsely ground.
2 minStep 3: Add the toasted cornmeal and pulse for 30–60 seconds more, until the mixture looks like damp sand and holds together firmly when squeezed in your fist.
1 minStep 4: Take tablespoons of the warm mixture and squeeze and roll firmly into balls, about 24 in all. If they crumble, pulse the mixture a few seconds more.
10 minStep 5: Leave to firm up for 15 minutes. Store in an airtight jar for up to 2 weeks.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 260 kcal
- Protein
- 9 g
- Carbs
- 25 g
- Fat
- 15 g
- Fibre
- 4 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does dakuwa (groundnut and grain balls) take?
- About 40 minutes in total: 25 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 8 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
- What can I use instead of ground ginger?
- 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger per ¼ tsp ground.
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