Christmas Is Here Again

We promise to bring to you, a recipe to spice up your Christmas celebration.

Today's meal is Fura da nono.

Make a difference this Christmas, make Fura da nono.

Fura da nono is simply 'Millet and Milk' in English language. 

Nono is locally fermented fresh cow milk, it has a thick, creamy texture.

While fura is grounded millet grains.

Putting these two together is a superb mix and it is absolutely delicious!

This highly nutritious 'beverage' has its origins from the Fulani and Hausa people of West Africa.

The fura (millet) are usually moulded into millet dough balls by vendors but we are making ours strictly for Christmas, there is no need to mould them into balls. Except of course, in the spirit of Christmas, if you want to distribute some, to neighbours, family and friends.

HOW TO MAKE FURA:

1. Carefully handpick the husk and stones from the millet. Remove traces of sand or dust from the grain by winnowing or sieving.

2. Convert the millet into a powdered form by grinding the millet in a blender or pounding in a mortar. Spice it up with some dried ginger, dried chilli pepper, cloves or a combination of all. 

3.  Add salt to taste. 

4. Sprinkle a little more water to assist form a dough and to achieve a smooth mix. Pour the dough into a bowl and cover overnight for it to ferment. 

("Soaking the millets overnight ensures that you break down the phytic acid in them. Phytic acid impairs the absorption of the good guys - minerals like iron, zinc and calcium. Soaking also makes digesting millets much easier on your tummy. So don't forget to soak millets overnight"...says Gaon Fresh).

5. By morning, place the dough in a pot and cook.

6. The dough is then pounded and sprinkled with water again. Continue pounding the dough until it becomes very soft. 

7. Mould the dough into your desired shape. You can try making it fun by creating all kinds of shapes.

8. Apply a coat of dust made from the millet or corn floor over the moulded dough to prevent the fura (millet) from sticking together. 

HOW TO MAKE NONO (MILK):

Nono as earlier mentioned is traditional fermented fresh cow milk. 

No need to fret or ponder how do I make nono? Or where do I get fresh cow milk form?

We know that you do not own a cattle ranch....hahahahahaha. 

You can get fresh nono (milk) from the supermarket or you can make use of plain milk.

HOW TO SERVE:

a). Place the nono in a cup, add the millet, mash the millet and mix properly.

b). Add sugar or honey.

(Honey is an excellent choice, a better option over sugar.

A honeybee visits 99 flowers during one collection flight from the hive. 

In order to produce 1 pound of honey, 2 million flowers must be visited.

A hive of bees must fly 55,000 miles to produce a pound of honey. See how distinctly unique honey is).

c). Add a few cubes of ice and your drink is ready. 

A word to describe this drink...refreshing!

Image credit: Dobby's signature