Moi Moi in a Mug Recipe

This Moi Moi (microwaveable!) is one of my all-time favorites from all the microwave recipes! It only takes less than 10 minutes to make. This is a healthy recipe complete with vegetables, beans, and fish!

Power up your microwave and enjoy this African Moi Moi in a Mug!

How to Cook Moi Moi in a Mug

Put your mugs and microwaves to use by cooking this easy Moi Moi in a Mug!

Ingredients

Beans 

Honey beans are sweet legumes that pair well with many ingredients. They are also extremely healthy and easy to prepare. You can have them peeled, but the beans’ skin is also safe to consume. 

Use your leftover beans for High-Protein Beans!

Bell pepper and sweet pepper 

Add the bell and sweet peppers to add color, fragrance, and flavor. These can improve your dish in an instant! I love this combination when making Jollof Rice, Fish Stew, and Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry!

Scotch bonnet 

Scotch bonnets make the Moi Moi exciting to eat. They certainly make the dish spicy and savory at every bite. Store the scotch bonnets properly, or transform them into chili flakes!

Onion 

Use onions for a pungent yet sweet flavor of the Moi Moi. These can also give the dish a great aroma. 

Fish liquid seasoning 

After cooking the mackerel, don’t throw away the stock. Moreover, it can make excellent liquid flavoring for Moi Moi. It contributes a smokey quality to the meal!

Hard-boiled eggs 

I highly suggest hard-boiled eggs for Moi Moi filling. They’re soft, decadent, and healthy. In fact, even the taste of the eggs compliments the dish well.

Sometimes, I cook Scotch Eggs to pair with the Moi Moi!

Mackerel

Mackerel makes great toppings for Moi Moi. Its tender flesh makes it easy to cook and debone. You’ll surely find its mild sweetness heavenly! 

This is a delicious ingredient for Fish Rolls, Egg Omelet Toast, and Egusi Soup!

Seasoning

The seasoning can be as simple as using all-purpose seasoning, chicken stock, salt, curry powder, smoked paprika, and mixed herbs. You can use other spices of your choice. 

These are the classic ingredients for Moi Moi in a Mug. But what makes this recipe extra special is that you can enjoy it even on a busy day because of your microwave and a mug!

Directions

1. Soak the beans in a bowl of water for a few hours or overnight.
2. Then, peel the beans if preferred. But you can have it unpeeled as the skin is edible. 
3. Blend the red bell pepper, sweet pepper, onion, scotch bonnet, water, and mackerel stock until smooth. 
4. Add a raw egg and season with your preferred spices.
5. Add stock cubes, smoked paprika, mixed herbs, curry powder, and salt.
6. Heat oil in a frying pan.
7. Then, pour heated oil into the mixture and blend it again. 
8. Place the sliced mackerel in a pot, season with salt, and stock cube.
9. Cook the mackerel for about 7 minutes.
10. Debone the mackerel, then break it into chunks. Set it aside. 
11. Pour the blended mixture halfway into the mug.
12. Submerge the mackerel and hard-boiled egg slices in the mug.
13. Put them in the microwave and cover them with a lid.
14. Cook for about 7 minutes.
15. Once done, serve it in the mug with a spoon!

And just like that, you can relish homemade Moi Moi in a mug! It’s a family-friendly dish for celebrations and weekends.

Tips

How to Select and Store Moi Moi Ingredients

Beans 

Selection. Beans can easily be bought in packages in grocery stores. Buy packages without holes or tears to ensure freshness. 

Storage. Unopened beans can be stored at room temperature for a few weeks. Once opened, transfer them to airtight containers or resealable bags. Refrigerate for a week or freeze to last up to several weeks. 

Bell pepper, sweet pepper, and scotch bonnet

Selection. Purchase bell and sweet pepper with shiny, glossy, and smooth skin. They should also feel heavy for their size and be free from blemished or soft spots.

Storage. Store the peppers in mesh bags. Then, refrigerate them in the crisper drawer within two weeks.

How to Prepare Mackerel

1. Slice the mackerel into three or four pieces.
2. Pour a cup of water into a pot and place the mackerel inside.
3. Then, season it with salt, stock cubes, and other preferred spices.
4. Let it cook over medium-low heat for 7 minutes or until cooked. 
5. Set the stock aside for later use.
6. Let the mackerel cool at room temperature before deboning and breaking into bits. 

How to Make the Moi Moi Mixture Without a Blender

Aside from using a blender, you can also create the mixture using a food processor, a miller, a mortar and pestle, and other similar tools. 

You can use a knife or grater for the sweet pepper, bell pepper, scotch bonnet, and onion. In fact, this can be good if you prefer the textured Moi Moi. 

Alternative Ways to Cook Moi Moi

Oven

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
2. Prepare the Moi Moi mixture in an oven-safe mug.
3. Cook them in the oven for 30 minutes or until baked inside. 

Stovetop

1. Heat oil in a large pot.
2. Place a cooling rack inside.
3. Steam the Moi Moi for 45 minutes or until thoroughly cooked. 

Air Fryer

1. Set the air fryer at 180°C.
2. Place a cooling rack in the middle.
3. Then, cover the mug with aluminum foil.
4. Finally, let it air fry for 30 minutes. 

Moi Moi Variations

Alternatively, if you don’t have honey beans in stock, you can use brown or black-eyed beans. They are also mildly sweet in flavor. Beef, turkey, chicken, and even prawns can also be used as toppings and fillings for Moi Moi. 

Replace microwave-safe mug with ramekins or other heat-resistant containers. Cover them when you cook the Moi Moi in a mug in the microwave. 

Recommended Tools

• Microwave: Cook the Moi Moi in the microwave. 
• Blender: Prepare the main mixture using a blender. 
• Pot: Cook the mackerel and heat the oil in a pot. 
• Mug: Use heat-resistant mugs to cook the Moi Moi. 
• Glass bowl: Soak the beans in a glass bowl with water. 
• Frying pan: Heat oil in a frying pan.

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How to Serve Moi Moi

One reason to cook this Moi Moi in a Mug is its convenience, especially when you’re on the go. You can pair it with Fried Rice or Plain Basmati Rice for a full meal. 

Moi moi also tastes delicious with the following:

• Steamed Plantains
• Roasted Plantains
• Banana Bread
• Green Plantain Porridge

Meanwhile, the best drink options include:

• Clementine Juice
• Beet Juice
• Zobo Drink
• Clementine Passion Fruit Juice

Storage Tips

• At room temperature: Eat the Moi Moi within 2 hours of cooking.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Nigerian moi moi healthy?

Moi Moi is certainly healthy for you. It’s made of beans, which provide fiber, iron, and other vitamins. Even the vegetables and toppings used are loaded with nutrients. Moi Moi can have numerous health benefits for your overall health!

What is the best method of cooking moi moi?

Steaming is certainly one of the best ways to cook Moi Moi. It ensures the dish’s tenderness while infusing it with flavor. However, you can cook it in the microwave, air fryer, or oven!

Can you eat unpeeled beans?

Yes, unpeeled beans are safe to consume because the skin is edible. In fact, it might even present you with health benefits if eaten unpeeled!