Food is important for life and growth. While there are certain dishes that are reserved for special occasions or come at a rather expensive cost, there are others which have become so common, they are eaten almost every day.
In Nigeria, the majority of these familiar foods are carbohydrates and in spite of their regular appearance in the average Nigerian’s diet, it is unlikely that anyone gets tired of eating them. Here are five of these staple foods.
1. Rice
There are several ways to cook, make and eat rice. It’s an everyday event food in Nigeria. There is the Jollof rice aka party rice, a nice topic of debate between Nigerians and their Ghanian counterparts any day.
Fried rice, the forever present staple at any party alongside Jollof. Ofada rice, a more traditional dish eaten with a rather peppery and savoury Ofada stew.
Coconut rice, great for home economics practicals and an alternative from the basic boiled rice. Rice and stew, which is probably one of the first dishes any Nigerian learns how to cook.
2. Garri and swallows
Garri which is also known as Cassava flour is yet another staple in Nigeria. It can be eaten with cold water alongside groundnuts for a cool dish or made with boiled water alongside any soup of your choice for hot satisfaction.
It’s a quick and easy dish to make and is available everywhere you turn in Nigeria. Swallows refer in general to dishes that essentially are not chewed before they are swallowed. They include Eba, Amala, Semovita, Millet, Fufu and so on. They are best enjoyed with hot soups.
3. Noodles
Essentially every noodle brand is referred to as Indomie amongst the people of Nigeria. This being because it is the most famous noodle brand. Quite affordable and quick and easy to make.
Usually eaten the most by the children and youth of Nigeria, it is the second to the last resort of the common man. It has a wide range of garnishes from Eggs to Sardines, Corned beef, Sausages, Shredded meat, chopped vegetables and so on.
4. Bread
Bread is one of the most commonly eaten staples by any Nigerian. Some even posit that the Agege bread is the sweetest of them all. Locally made, it is soft, unsliced, affordable and comes in different sizes.
Its sweet basic taste makes its edible with almost any accompaniment ranging from Eggs to Sauces, Stews, Beans, Suya and even drinks.
5. Yam
Last but not least on this tasty Nigeran list is Yam. Yam tubers are also very common to spot in the markets in Nigeria and is one of the basic meals.
It can be boiled and eaten with Eggs or Stew, fried and taken with Sauce or Ketchup, roasted as well or made into Porridge and eaten with all sorts of accompaniments.
