Akara Recipe – West African Black-Eyed Pea Fritters

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1. 1Step 1: Soak the peas for 1-2 hours in a large bowl and cover them with water; longer is better for a softer, smoother batter.
2. 2Step 2: Rub the peas together in the palms of your hands with a good amount of force to break up and remove their skins.
3. 3Step 3: The skins will float on the water; pour them off and add more water as you go. Repeat until all the skins have been removed from the peas.
4. 4Step 4: Drain and rinse the peas, then add to a food processor. Heat up the oil to 350°F while preparing the batter.
5. 5Step 5: Add the onion, habanero, salt, pepper, and any optional flavors like garlic powder, smoked paprika, etc. to the food processor. Add just enough water to bring the batter together.
6. 6Step 6: Blend until smooth, then add to the bowl of a stand mixer.
7. 7Step 7: Whisk the batter on high until it is fluffy, for 3-5 minutes.
8. 8Step 8: Drop ¼ cup scoops of the batter into the oil. A standard half-sphere type ice cream scoop works well for this.
9. 9Step 9: Flip them and fry them to a golden brown exterior.