Nkwobi (Spicy Cow Feet)

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Nkwobi (Spicy Cow Feet) is a delicious, popular Nigerian dish made from cow feet, usually enjoyed as a special treat. This rich and flavorful dish is a favorite during social gatherings and celebrations.

Nkwobi spicy cow leg on a bowl with onions

❤️ Why you'll love it

Nkwobi is a popular Nigerian dish made from spicy cow feet. This delicacy is served at many restaurants and beer parlors, especially among the Ibo tribe of Nigeria. With this recipe, you won’t need to go to a Nigerian restaurant to enjoy this dish, you can make it at home instead!

What makes this meal stand out is the flavorful sauce in which the meat is cooked. With calabash nutmeg, ground crayfish, cayenne pepper, and several other spices, this spicy cow feet recipe is anything but bland.

🥘 Equipment Used

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This nkwobi does not use any special equipment but is usually served in wooden bowls. I get these bowls from Amazon that look just like the traditional serving bowls.

🧾 Ingredients Used

cow feet, palm oil, utazi leaves,ground crayfish,ugba (african oil bean seed

Cow feet: You can easily get cow feet from a butcher or African market. Sometimes, you can find it in a Mexican meat market in the U.S. Make sure the cow leg is already chopped up into smaller pieces. Most butchers will do this for you.
Red onions: These add color and flavor to this spicy Nigerian dish.
Spices: For this recipe, you'll need ground Ehuru (also known as calabash nutmeg), Ugba (fermented African oil bean seed), ground crayfish, cayenne pepper, bouillon powder, black pepper, and salt. You can find ground Ehuru and Ugba in your local African grocery store.
Baking soda: This ingredient thickens the sauce. While the traditional recipe uses potash as a thickener, I use baking soda since I always have some in my house.
Garnish: Utazi leaves are the traditional garnish for nkwobi, but you can also use spinach or kale.

🔪 How To Make Nkwobi

Boil the Meat:

Add the cow feet to a pot and add enough water to cover it.
Add bouillon powder, black pepper, onions, and salt.
Boil for 1 hour or until fork tender. Keep an eye on the cow feet and add water to the pot if it gets too low.
Alternatively, cook in a pressure cooker for 20 mins.
When the meat is done, take it out and let it cool down a bit.
Slice the meat off the bone and cut it into smaller pieces. You can also add smaller pieces of bone if you want to, but the majority of the bones should be discarded or used to make cow feet soup or bone broth.

Make the Nkwobi:

Pour palm oil into a small bowl.
In another small bowl, add 2 teaspoons of baking soda and 2 tablespoons of water, then mix together.
Pour the mixture into the palm oil and stir until you notice the palm oil curdling and turning yellow. It should have a paste-like consistency.
Pour the curdled palm oil into a large pot on low heat.
Add the Ehuru (calabash nutmeg), bouillon powder, Ugba, ground crayfish, and cayenne pepper, then stir.
Add the chopped cow feet to the pot and stir everything together.
Simmer for about five minutes or until the cow leg is heated through.
Cut the Utazi leaves into thin slices.
Garnish your Nkwobi with the sliced Utazi leaves and sliced onion rings.
Serve in a wooden bowl, and enjoy!

steps on how to make nkwobi spicy cow feet 2

🥫 Storing and Reheating

Allow the nkwobi to cool to room temperature before storing. This helps prevent condensation inside the storage container, which can affect texture. It should be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 4 - 5 days.

For longer storage, you can freeze the nkwobi. Place it in a freezer-safe container or resealable freezer bag. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months, but make sure it's well-sealed to avoid freezer burn.

This spicy Nigerian dish can be reheated in a pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating. If the sauce has thickened too much during storage, add a small amount of water or broth to help return it to its original consistency. You can also reheat in the microwave for about 1 or 2 minutes.

💭 Recipe Tips

Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. You don't need to add salt to this dish because the ingredients already contain some salt. But you can add a little if you need to.
Palm oil usually thickens when cooled. There is no need to melt it, but let it naturally thaw a bit to a semi-solid state. I actually prefer to use it in this form because the palm oil curdles faster when you add the baking soda.
Make sure you add the baking soda to the water first before pouring it into the palm oil. If you omit this step, your palm oil will not thicken.
If the sauce becomes too thick after cooking, add a bit of beef broth or water to reach your desired consistency.
Make sure the cow feet are fresh or properly thawed if frozen. Fresh cow feet will have a better texture and flavor.
If you like even more heat, add some Scotch bonnet, habanero pepper, or some more cayenne pepper.

🍽️ What can I eat this recipe with?

In Nigeria, Nkwobi is served in a wooden bowl and eaten on its own or with a side of rice. On a low-carb diet, I like to enjoy my isiewu with a low carb rice dish.

👩‍🍳 Frequently asked questions

What is the English name for nkwobi?

In English, nkwobi means "spicy cow's foot."

What is the difference between nkwobi and isi ewu?

Nkwobi and Isi Ewu are similar southeastern Nigeria dishes. However, Nkwobi is made from cow's feet, while Isi Ewu is made from goat head.

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