Stir Fried Acha Recipe

Stir Fried Acha

World Diabetes day is marked on the 14th of November every year. Each year different themes are set to scope the awareness message created around diabetes. Usually, there is a misconception in Nigeria that Diabetes only comes as a result of confectionaries which comprise of sweets, chocolates, cakes etc. This is not true. Diabetes can be obtained from alcohol, soft drinks and certain carbohydrates. Everything done in moderation helps combat this disease.

According to the Canadian Diabetes Association website , ” Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and kills the beta cells of the pancreas and Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body can’t properly use the insulin that is released (called insulin insensitivity) or does not make enough insulin.”

Some women also have gestational diabetes which occurs in pregnancy but can disappear after they give birth.  Sometimes it can be hereditary so it is important to check your family tree for indications of this gene. I have had some hands on experience with diabetes and even though I am not a doctor or a medical professional or even a nutritionist, the little insight I can provide, I will. A few food bloggers and foodies decided to champion the conversation this year on Diabetes in Nigeria from the food blogger angle.

Here are some statistics on Diabetes on Nigeria.

I have partnered with Dubai Fit Foodie, 9jafoodie, 1QFoodPlatter, My Green Apron, Sisi Yemmie, Heels in the Kitchen, Kitchen Butterfly, Dobbys Signature, Mummys Yum, Nigerian Lazy Chef, All Nigerian Recipes, Samanthas Bistro and Freesia Cookery.

In the next few days, they would post either on their blogs or social media channels, useful recipes for diabetic patients and a fun challenge video on the day. The hashtag we would be using is #Worlddiabetesdayng so if you would like to participate, please use the hashtag and follow it for interesting recipes.

Without further ado, enjoy my replacement of fried rice with acha(fonio) which is a cereal consumed in the Northern part of Nigeria and even the middle belt.

Recipe for Stir Fried Acha

Ingredients

1 Cup of Acha

1 Cup of mixed vegetables

2 medium sausage links ( You can use shrimp or chicken)

A small bulb of Onion

1 chicken seasoning cube

One teaspoon of Curry Powder

Pinch of thyme

A teaspoon of black pepper

One scotch bonnet pepper

1 tablespoon of butter

2 tablespoons of olive oil

Method

Wash your acha and set aside.

In a pan, pour in your butter and 1 tablespoon of the oil and stir fry your vegetables. Add in the chopped sausages. Season with half the seasoning cube.

Take out the vegetables and set aside and in the same pan, pour in the rest of the oil and stir fry the acha on low heat for about 1 minute. Add your curry powder, black pepper, thyme and seasoning cube and stir the acha properly.

Toss in the vegetables immediately into the pan and toss all together. Taste for seasoning and serve your stir fried acha hot.