Monday 8 July 2013

SOAKED GARRI

The ever-versatile garri is back, arguably in its best form. If you've never had this then I can only shake my head sadly and plead with you to make it as soon as possible. 

This is one of the quintessential Nigerian snacks/meals/drinks (yes, all in one). I never went through the boarding school experience in Nigeria but apparently, having a stash of garri was essential to surviving those long weeks away from home. As a day student, that didn't stop me from overloading on soaked garri after school.

Grab yourself a large cup or cereal bowl. Fill it about 1/3 way up with garri. Add ice cold water (the colder the better). Add some sugar (to taste). Throw in a handful of roasted groundnut.
Thank me later...

13 comments:

  1. "Gari Soakins" luv this! A favorite staple during my brief stint in boarding school in Ghana.

    ReplyDelete
  2. p.s. you forgot the milk...or...don't you use canned milk in your soakins?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You just reminded me, I was going to mention in the post how some people use milk in theirs, but I never did! Still can't bring myself to try it (even with my beloved almond milk) lol. It always did seem a strange concept to me, but from what I hear, it's pretty delicious...

      Delete
  3. Mmm garri and groundnut. I've never given the milk version a go either but maybe I'm missing out. Hey, as a former vegan who still enjoys vegan cuisine and as a Naija food devotee this site is TOO good/ Your new fan.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw thanks! I'm a fan of your blog too - you raise some super important/relevant issues.

      Former vegan, huh? What changed? :)

      Delete
  4. Chai! Brings back sweet memories of boarding school days. And yes I loved soaked garri with milk...powdered milk (Peak or Nido) to be exact.

    ReplyDelete
  5. This adding milk phenomenon is quite something. I wonder why it never featured in our house lol

    ReplyDelete
  6. As an American Nigerian with an American mom...I was never inducted to the soaked garri brotherhood. However, my fiance is a born and bred Naija man and he made some for me to taste the other night...I think it's something of an acquired thing. It wasn't nasty or anything...just...strange LOL! I guess we will have to start our kids on it early!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha, definitely approve of starting the kids early.
      I can imagine it seeming strange when you try it for the first time.There was just something special about cold soaked garri on a hot day when I was growing up. I think the refreshing aspect of it came first before the taste. But then again, there was the overwhelming amount of sugar cubes I used to sneak in when my mum wasn't watching :p

      Delete
  7. Hmm.. It seems many Nigerians eat it with water while Ghanians use milk.

    I use plain almond milk. I tried it with water once and couldn't stand it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Really? Somehow I can't ever imagine it with milk...might give it a try with coconut milk perhaps. Maybe.

      Delete
  8. Nothing like plain garri..no milk, no sugar.....the water is like no other...

    ReplyDelete
  9. About to embark on my vegan journey but I noticed no one ever talks about tiger nut milk! Any reason to that?

    ReplyDelete