PNG Traditional Cuisine - "Aigir"

How to prepare Aigir

Brief Information
Aigir is a traditional cuisine for the Tolai people of East New Britain Province. The Tolai people have been preparing the “Aigir” cuisine generation-after-generation. Aigir is prepared on special occasions or during family gatherings.

Below is the recipe on how to prepare “aigir". The following recipe can cater for 10-15 people.

Ingredients/utensils

1. Coconuts X 6
2. Greens (5kg aibika)
3. Mumu-pit with hot stones
4. Protein (180g chicken)
5. Vegetable (2kg kaukau)
6. Banana leaves X 10
7. Carrots (500g)
8. Onion (100g)
9. Tomato (50g)

Cooking steps for preparing Tolai ”Aigir”

1. Put stones in the mumu-pit for 40-45 minutes
2. Scrape 6 coconuts
3. Prepare the vegetable
4. Prepare the greens
5. Prepare the protein
6. Put vegetable, greens and protein into a big pot or dish
7. Gradually cream vegetable, greens and protein with coconut-cream
8. Put hot stones into the pot contain the vegetable, greens and protein
9. Close the pot and leave it to cook for 15-20 minutes
10. When cooked, remove the stones
11. Serve the food into plates or on banana leaves