Tigernut Coconut Pudding with Zobo Syrup

Tigernut and Coconut Pudding is what I call a truly Nigerian dessert. The way we eat in Nigerian only calls for a one-course meal. We generally do not believe in such fancy eating style of first course, Main Meal and desserts. But on occasions like Valentine’s day, I think we can make it a little bit extra especially by indulging in a 3-course meal. When it is a day devoted to love ‘wantintin’ it gets more interesting with lots of talk and laughter, music and good food.

Getting a healthy dessert is sometimes difficult but here is one that can be comfortably classified as such.  But as with every thing desserts should come in very small portions.

I understand that Tigernuts and dates which are used in this recipe have some serious aphrodisiac property. Well I have not ‘tested’ the efficacy. Whatever it is this is a really yummy dessert.

Tigernut coconut pudding can be made a day before your dinner date which is another reason this dessert is a must try for your valentine day dinner.

Enjoy!

 

How to make Tigernut Coconut Pudding with Zobo syrup?

1 cup Tigernut milk

¼ cup desiccated Coconut

2 Dates, chopped

Pinch Cinnamon powder (optional)

¼ cup Zobo syrup

Method

1. Crush the washed Tigernut first in a zip lock bag by placing nuts in the bag and hitting with a small pestle or rolling pin to reduce the nuts to smaller pieces before blending in your domestic blender. Alternatively crush the nuts in a mortar before blending. Add enough water to the nuts to allow for easy blending. Do not use too much water as what is needed is a fairly thick milk. If you have a food processor then you blend directly in the processor.
2. Strain out the milk as you will do for coconut milk. Use a fine sieve
3. Deseed the dates and chop into small pieces. Get you coconut ready.
4. Place the milk in a pan on the fire and stir continuously. As soon as milk starts to get warm it thickens. Stir the milk for about 2 minutes and take off the heat.
5. Add the coconut, dates and vanilla essence and cinnamon powder and stir to mix.
6. Pour into a short glass or any mold of choice and chill in the fridge.
7. To make the pudding in two colors mix a like one teaspoon of zobo in the remaining portion and add.
8. To make the zobo syrup, boil the 1 cup of  zobo drink with 2 cubes of sugar. Boil the zobo till well reduced and the drink gradually gets a bit syrupy. Allow the syrup to chill in the fridge.
9. The pudding sets as soon as it is chilled. Drizzle with zobo syrup.

 

 

 

 

 

Tip: For those living in the South, dates also known as Ofio in Yoruba, Aki Hausa in Igbo or Isip Aba in Ibibio can be found in markets sold by Hausa traders particularly those that sell from wheelbarrows.  These traders also sell dates known as Dabino in Hausa. You may also find dates sold in big shops. How to make Kunu Ayu (Tigernut Milk)