Akkra, a delicious bean snack

Akkra is a West African snack made from black-eyed beans. These are the tiny creamish-white beans with black centres. The beans are sorted, washed and soaked overnight, after which the skins are removed. The beans are then blended or pounded to a paste, with onions and garlic and then deep fried.
Akkra is quick and easy to prepare. To get all the nutrition from the beans, blend or pound the beans without removing the skins and then proceed to deep fry. Serve for breakfast or evening tea.

Ingredients
500g dried black-eyed beans
2 large cloves garlic, peeled
2 large onions, peeled
1 chicken stock cube
Three shakes Aromat
1 red chili, finely chopped (optional)
Oil for deep frying

1. Soak the beans in a lot of water overnight or for at least 8 hours.
2. Drain the beans, rinse with fresh water and rub the beans between the palms of your hands. Return the beans to a pan and top with water, the skins should float to the top. Discard the skins and soak the beans for a further 2 hours. Removing the skin however, is optional, you may leave them on if you wish, as this is healthier and less time consuming.
3. Put the beans in a blender with the onions cut into quarters, the garlic, chicken stock cube, Aromat, chili if using, and a little water. Blend to a thick paste.
4. Pour into a large bowl and mix well.

5. Heat the oil for deep frying in a heavy pan and deep fry spoonfuls of the mixture until
golden-brown. Serve hot or cold.