Ewa Agoyin with Smoky Pepper Sauce

Ewa agoyin is one of Lagos' great street-food traditions: beans cooked down until soft and buttery, then crowned with a deeply savory pepper sauce. This version keeps the soul of the dish intact using only plant ingredients, so the beans stay the star and the sauce does the heavy lifting on flavor.

Black-eyed peas bring a genuine source of plant protein and iron to the table, which is why we've tagged this recipe for anemia support - pairing iron-rich beans with the vitamin C in the pepper sauce can help the body absorb that iron more efficiently. The dish is naturally gluten-free, since it leans on beans, peppers, and aromatics rather than any wheat-based thickener.

With a good dose of fiber and plant protein per bowl, this is a filling, budget-friendly dinner that also supports an active lifestyle and gives the immune system a boost from all that vitamin C in the peppers. Serve it simply with a side of steamed greens or spoon it over boiled plantain for a heartier plate.