Soaked Garri 'cereal' is definitely a must try for anyone visiting Nigeria for the first time but if you don't intend visiting Nigeria soon, this recipe will take you on an amazing Journey to my home country. Please join me ?
Garri is pan fried cassava flakes which is very popular in West Africa. Garri is usually eaten in 3 ways,
1. Soaked Garri Team A: as a cold 'beverage' with ice cold water and sugar plus or minus roasted groundnuts
2. Soaked Garri Team B: as a 'cereal' where it is made with lukewarm water some milk and sugar plus or minus roasted groundnuts.
3. It is consumed as eba where it is made with boiling hot water and eaten with any Nigerian soup of your choice.
In the past Garri used to be associated with poverty. It was occasionally referred to as ' a poor man's food) I really don't know why but I am guessing it's because of the ability of soaked Garri to double in size ? That way Garri can be economical and helps stretch your bucks. ??
Well I don't know about that but all I know is we all enjoyed our soaked garri 'Cereal.
Now there is a bit of a divide as to how best to enjoy this legendary Nigerian 'cereal' some prefer the pure unadulterated version with just cold water,sugar and some roasted groundnuts. Let's label them Team A
Others love it with milk just like you would have any other cereal. Garri, water, powdered milk and sugar. ( its best with powdered milk.) that's my team. Team B for the win.
This post is focused on non-Nigerians because I doubt if there is any Nigerian who hasn't heard of this legendary Nigerian 'cereal' aka soakis or soaked garri ?. This is also a staple provision in most boarding houses (at least when I was in boarding school it was).
Pro Tip. The best Garri to use to make this soaked Garri 'cereal' is the Ijebu Garri variety. It's sour so the sugar or sugar and milk as the case may be gives it a sweet and sour taste which is to die for.
How to make 'drinking garri / soaked Garri'
Like traditional cereal, it's super easy to make.
Put some Garri in a bowl, pour in some water way above the level of the Garri
Sieve our the floating particles.
Add more water, some ice cubes, sugar / sweetener, groundnuts and enjoy
What can you eat with soaked garri?
It compliments a number Nigerian dishes like the ones below.
Coconut
Roasted groundnuts like we did in this post.
Hope you will be making your soaked Garri 'cereal' soon enough. For Garri veterans which team do you belong to. TEAM A
or TEAM B. Let us know in the comment below. Like I said I am unapologetically team B.
Love,
PIN! PIN! PIN
Soaked Garri
Ingredients
- ¼ cup Garri
- 3 cups water
- Some ice cubes optional
- 3 cubes of Sugar / 1 Tbsp
- 2 Tbsp Powdered milk optional
- Pinch of salt optional
Toppings
- ¼ cup roasted groundnuts optional
- ¼ cup coconut
- Strawberries & blueberries not traditional but worth a try
Instructions
- Pour water into the cereal bowl containing the dry Garri.
- Sieve out any particle that floats
- Pour more fresh water into the Garri
- Then add sugar, pinch of salt (milk if using)
- Add the groundnuts or any other topping you prefer. Then relax and enjoy ?
Notes
- Garri swells up quickly so start with a small quantity if you are eating this alone so you don't find yourself wasting food.
- If you are vegan. Just skip the addition of the milk. I really don't think it will work with almond milk because it isn't as creamy. But you can give it a try though.
obinna
garri na food for all. But have u all tried garri with tiger nut or coaster biscuit .omo u will be in Heaven
Chichi Uguru
Hi Obinna,
I haven’t tried it with tiger nuts. I believe you when you say it is heavenly! Can’t wait to try it. Thank you.
Precious
I can never stay for a day without taking garri
I love it😋
Chichi Uguru
You are in good company. We love it too!
Kye
How many calories is 1/4 a cup of garri.?
Chichi Uguru
Hi Kye,
One cup garri has 436 calories. 1/4 cup would be 109 calories. 👍
https://www.nutritionix.com/i/nutritionix/garri-1-cup/5849b126ac0f0aa95e238490
-Chichi
Kye
How many calories is 1/4 a cup of garri?
timilehin
i am 13 years old and i just want to know whether to take my garri with milk or not ;-;
Chichi Uguru
Hi Timilehin!
Nice to meet you. You can take your Garri with or without milk. It’s a matter of choice and what you prefer!
My 14 yr old loves to take it with powdered milk. Hope that helps!
-Chichi
Obinna
Am 14 and I drink garri with anything eatable .
Trinija
Hello from the Caribbean! Have always wondered what exactly is this garri I've always seen in Nigerian movies. Now from your description I'm surprised to realise that it is the same thing we call cassava farine here! It was very popular in these parts when I was a child. We've never had it with nuts, or anything else for that matter. Sometimes the adventurous would have it dry with sugar. Haven't had it or even seen it in yearsssssss, so yes I can relate to its connection with economic situation. Thank you for this forum. Will be checking out your other articles.
Chichi Uguru
Hi Trinija,
Happy to hear from you. Thanks for the info on cassava farine! I am not surprised in the least as we have very similar dishes with the Caribbean. Glad you loved the article. Hope you find more you like. 😊
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
- Chichi
Joseph
Mhen l really luv soaked garri nd l use any stuff that croses my mind to take it including soda,malt and even juice just to sweeten it
But as 4 that peanuts l don't MISS it
Chichi Uguru
Hi Joseph!
Wow! Never tried anything else besides the addition of milk and groundnuts thanks for sharing 👍
Between, I love groundnuts! Especially in my soaked garri Yum!
- Chichi
obinna
joseph thank for this wonderful mixture cant wait to try it . but try garri with any soft drink(mineral) and thank me later
Zion
Not that I really need a garri recipe as a Nigerian lol. But I must give you a huge thumbs up for bringing this African staple to internet and the western world. Your photos are ace.
Chichi Uguru
Hi Zion,
Thanks for your kind words. 😀