Fried Beans is one of the various ways to enjoy eating beans. Growing up, I didn't really care much about beans, I just eat it for the sake of eating but this recipe made me have a change of mind like I started looking forward to eating beans. 

It is almost like Ewa agoyin just that it has to be coated with palm oil, it is totally easy to make requiring  just about 3 - 4 steps and even though it is sweet on it's own, you can still eat it alongside fried/roasted/boiled plantain, boiled yam or potatoes. 

1. Pick out the debris and stones, wash properly, place in a pot and add a good quantity of water.

2. Bring this to a boil for 3-5 minutes, sieve out the water, add fresh water (enough to cook the beans) and continue cooking. This process is to to help reduce the possibility of the having bloating and gas after eating the beans. 

3. When the beans softens, add the diced plantain (potato/yam, this is optional though), also add the stock cubes and salt. 

4. Continue cooking till the water dries up, by that time, the plantain or whatever you're using should be done. 

5. In another pot, heat up the palm oil, add the onions and fry till fragrant and translucent, add the blended fresh pepper and fry for few minutes, then add the crayfish. (don't fry for too long after adding crayfish, to prevent it from burning). 

6. Pour the cooked beans into the oil and mix thoroughly for at least 3 minutes (you can mash the beans in the process or you leave it as it is). 

7. Bring it down and serve with some fried plantain, rice etc. 

8. This is totally optional but I like to sautée some diced onions and fresh pepper in red oil, drizzle it on top after serving, then add some utazi leaves. 

Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and share a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #onceuponafoodlover or tag me @onceuponafoodlover. I would love to see!

Happy Cooking!