Family Meal Plan: Puff Puff the Nigerian Doughnuts + New Year's Honey Drizzle + Kid-Friendly "Chapman"

Puff Puff the Nigerian Doughnuts

Happy & Healthy Cooking,

Fun-Da-Mentals Kitchen Skills

• blend :

  to stir together two or more ingredients until just combined; blending is a gentler process than mixing.

• chop :

  to cut something into small, rough pieces using a blade.

• combine :

  to merge two or more ingredients into one mixture, like a batter of flour, eggs, and milk.

• drizzle :

  to trickle a thin stream of a liquid ingredient, like icing or sauce, over food.

• fry :

  to fry in a pan in a small amount of fat.

• measure :

  to calculate the specific amount of an ingredient required using a measuring tool (like measuring cups or spoons).

• squeeze :

  to firmly press or twist a food with fingers, hands, or a device to remove its liquid, like shredded potatoes, frozen and thawed spinach, or tofu.

• whisk :

  to beat or stir ingredients vigorously with a fork or whisk to mix, blend, or incorporate air.

• zest :

  to scrape off the outer colored part of a citrus fruit's rind (skin or peel) using a metal tool with small sharp blades, such as a zester, microplane, or the small holes of a grater (avoid the "pith," the white, spongy lining of the rind that can be bitter).

What is a Puff Puff?

• "Puff puff" is the Nigerian name for a fried doughnut-like dough eaten as a snack all over Africa that is similar to a "beignet" (ben-yay). In fact, they are called "beignets" in Cameroon, where they speak French.
• Puff puffs are made from a dough of flour, yeast, sugar, eggs, butter, water, and salt. After the yeasted dough has risen for about an hour, a small amount is hand-rolled into a ball and placed in hot vegetable oil to fry. Before serving, they are sometimes rolled or dusted in sugar, cinnamon, or nutmeg.

Let's Learn About Nigeria!

• Nigeria is a West African country officially called the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is made up of 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, the location of the capital city, Abuja. The largest city is Lagos.
• The total area of Nigeria is 356,669 square miles. That is bigger than the US state of Texas but smaller than Alaska. 
• Nigeria has the most people of any country in Africa, with over 225 million people. The population is very diverse, with more than 250 ethnic groups. However, the largest groups are the Hausa, the Yoruba, and the Igbo. They make up about 60 percent of the population.
• The Nigerian government is a Federal Presidential Republic with a President, Vice President, National Assembly (legislature), and Supreme Court. 
• Nigerian Independence Day is October 1, the biggest festival in Nigeria, when they celebrate Nigeria's independence from Great Britain in 1960. They had been a British colony since 1850, which explains why the country's official language is English. Their national languages are Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo.
• The climate in Nigeria is usually hot—Nigeria averages around 90 degrees most of the year, and there are only two seasons: rainy and dry!
• Zuma Rock is a natural monolith (a single massive stone or rock) that is 980 feet higher than its surrounding area. It is the highest point in Nigeria at 2,379 feet in elevation and is a 45-minute drive from Abuja, the capital. A picture of Zuma Rock appears on the 100 note of Nigeria's currency, the "naira." It is known not only for its size but for the face that appears on one of its sides.
• The Sclater's guenon is a rare monkey that calls southern Nigeria home, living in swamps and forests. The African (or West African) manatee weighs about 1,000 pounds and lives in Nigeria and other parts of West Africa.
• The hundreds of ethnic groups in Nigeria contribute to the country's cuisine. Their dishes include "akara" (a fried bean fritter), "dodo" (fried ripe plantains), "jollof rice" (a one-pot dish of rice, tomato, onion, and meat or fish), "moin moin" (a savory bean pudding with onions, peppers, and black-eyed peas), and "suya," (skewered, smoked, and spicy sliced meat). 

What's It Like to Be a Kid in Nigeria?

• The school year in Nigeria runs from January through December. Typically, there are three semesters, with a month off following each one. Since English is the national language in Nigeria, it is spoken in schools.
• Most schools have strict dress codes. There are required uniforms and rules about everything from hairstyles to shoes to jewelry. This can be difficult for kids because Nigerians are known for wearing colorful traditional outfits.
• Many Nigerian extended families live in the same home or separate homes clustered very close together.
• Age equals respect in Nigerian families. For example, an older sibling may be called "Senior Brother" or "Senior Sister" instead of by their actual name. 
• "Ayo" is a fun board game found everywhere. You use seeds, pebbles, or dried beans and twelve cups to play. Checkers and hand-clapping games are also popular.
• Soccer is a national obsession in Nigeria (like in much of Africa). Kids also enjoy volleyball and wrestling.
• For snacks, kids may eat "puff puff," Nigerian doughnut balls, or "chin chin," crunchy fried pastry, like cookies.