In the year 2022, I made my first trial of puff puff snacks, but the turnout didn't give the vibe. As I took one in my mouth for a bite, I was met with drains of oil that it made me vomit and that irritated me. I spit it out and had to share it with my neighbours; the remaining ones were wasted, though. That was the first and last time I tried making puff puff.
If there was something I would spend the last dime on when I was very young, it was puff puff. I so much love the snacks that I would always scream its name everywhere around the house. It got more addictive when Mama Jerry, our next-door neighbour was the only woman who sold akara, fried plantain, yam, fried potatoes and puff puff in front of our face-me-I-slap-you building.
Her snacks were always appealing to the eyes. Everyone would queue, forming different lines in front of her shop, and most of them would end up fighting for who came first and needed to be attended to.
And this woman had a keen eye for the one who came first and it was a first-come-first-serve thing. So, there was no room for, "I know her very well; she will sell for me first even if I'm the last person in the queue." She treated everyone with respect and without partiality.
Mama Jerry had sales girls plus her children who helped and would surround the trays as each of them had their own section. Many times, I would run to whisper to Mama Jerry's ear before anyone to keep ours (my family's) aside once she started frying a new set of puff puffs before it finished while I returned to what I was doing - a way to let her know I was early but just didn't have time to stand in queue.
Fast forward to years later, my love for puff puff grew when I was in secondary school as my pocket money went straight to puff puff as if I was saving it in the hands of the vendors. I would also buy for my friends, too, turning me into a generous girl (I was and still am).
So, making puff puff for the first time changed hands for me, in Yoruba (o yi wọ mọ mi lọwọ) sorry if you don't understand that 😅.
It didn't cross my mind to try again, but I still go outside once in a while to buy puff puff. I was careful of my impulse spending on it, most especially for someone who doesn't like the idea of buying junk outside except on occasions I need to treat myself.
But around May this year, I decided to try again. When I did, I loved the taste, but I hadn't gotten the shape I wanted. I mean the round shape of puff puff, and that made me decide to try again next time, and now, I was more determined to keep trying.
This was my first second trial; it was a work in progress, and I didn't stop. I also added pepper to make it spicy.
The next time I tried again, I still didn't get the shape, which made me talk to some people, including my younger sister, whose consistency has made her a pro in making puff puff. In fact, she'd started the business with it in the US, and a lot of people give her a job based on a contract thing to make loads of it to events, programmes and the like.
When I asked her how she does it, making the puff puff rounded and smooth, she gave me the tip, including a friend I met during my youth service. These were some of their suggestions;
Rubbing oil on your hand so when you are scooping into the hot oil, it will drop easily from the edge of your hand when you form it in a circle shape.
Or
Cut the mouth of a rubber plastic and pour the kneaded dough into it, then turn it upside down. When the dough is coming out little by little, use scissors to cut it, and it will form a round shape.
Or
Get a small scooping spoon, which is easier. And don't forget to allow the oil to heat very well before the scooping begins.
I decided to try one of their suggestions, and I went for the first one, which was rubbing my hand with oil, and it worked and was easy.
The third time, or should I say the fourth, (if I were to count the first trial in 2022), it came out just as I wanted. A rounded-shaped puff puff and the ingredients were okay for me - not much sugar, particularly. Very fluffy and there was no oil draining out.
I saw the value in the consistent trial. Well, that wasn't my first time hearing that but it was something that made me proud of myself and how I didn't give up like the first trial.
Anyway, I thought I would share my experience with you guys and let you know how practice makes perfect and the power of trying.
My patience paid off, and I love the result of my last try of puff puff, and I'm not stopping there. It's a snack I make once in a while just to have a taste of something different as an appetiser.
All images are mine
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