10 Light Nigerian Meals for Lunch and Dinner | Vegan Recipes

Summer is well and truly upon us. In this post, I'm sharing a selection of Nigerian meals that are light, healthy, delicious and perfect for the hot weather. Beyond heavy stews, soups and swallows, we have a ton of variety when it comes to light, summery meals. The recipes for all of the meals below can be found in my cookbook Vegan Nigerian Kitchen. Have you picked up your copy yet? 

1. Garau Garau

A Hausa delicacy also known as Shinkafa Da Wake. Beans and rice served with signature fresh toppings and suya spice. It may look simple but it is bursting with flavour. 

2. Boiled Plantain and Egusi

A lighter way to enjoy both plantain and egusi. Rather than serving egusi with pounded yam or eba, opt for boiled or steamed plantain. The delicate, melt-in-the-mouth texture of the plantain complements the nutty spinach and melon seed sauce.

3. Mushroom Pepper Soup

You may want to tone down on the spice or fully embrace it. Either way, pepper soup is a light and aromatic broth that is spiced with traditional ingredients. Opt for mushrooms for a delicate take on this classic.

4. Dan Wake

A light Hausa meal that consists of little bean and cassava flour dumplings dressed in fresh vegetables and the signature suya spice. It takes just a few minutes to make, so you can spend less time cooking and more time out in the sun.

5. Moin Moin and Soaked Garri

Moin moin is a flavour-packed steamed bean pudding that can be eaten on its own or paired with a range of other dishes. For a light and refreshing combo, pair it with ice cold soaked garri and thank me later!

6. Boiled Yam and Scrambled Tofu

Fluffy boiled yam with a side of mixed veg tofu -  substantial enough to fill you up without making you feel too heavy to crack on with your summer activities. Add generous amounts of seasonal veggies to your tofu to increase your veg intake.

7. Abacha Ncha Salad

Also known as African Salad, this Igbo delicacy is prepared with fermented cassava and is paired with ugba (shredded oil bean seed) in a palm-oil based sauce. For a light version, go easy on the oil and don't be afraid to add in more crunchy raw vegetables for a modern take that also bulks out the salad.

8. Vegetable Fried Rice

This classic rice dish is really perfect any time of the year. In summer, it's a winning side dish for picnics, pot-lucks and barbecues. Load up the rice with seasonal veggies for a bright and nutritious meal.

9. Eko and Stew

Eko is a fermented corn pudding which is often served chilled alongside a hot stew or sauce. It is somewhat of an acquired taste, with its jelly-like texture and slightly sour flavour. But don't let that put you off; definitely give it a try and make up your own mind. I too was skeptical at first and now I can't get enough of it.

10. Gwate Acha

Fonio porridge may sound heavy and stodgy, but the beauty of this dish is that you can lighten it up by adding more vegetable broth without compromising on flavour. This dish is a highly nutritious staple from the middle belt and northern parts of Nigeria. Aside from fonio, fresh vegetables feature heavily in this dish. 

If you give any of these recipes a try, be sure to share your pictures on social media and tag me @vegannigerian. Don't forget that you can find all these recipes and more in Vegan Nigerian Kitchen.