If you love pap, then you’ll definitely love Tom Brown. It’s is one of the healthiest meals you can give your family, full of protein, fiber, iron, calcium, and essential vitamins.
These nutrients support growth, brain development, energy, and a strong immune system. That’s why it’s perfect for babies, nursing mothers, and even adults who want something healthy and filling to start the day.
Tom Brown is a blended cereal powder made from roasted grains and legumes like millet, maize, soybeans, and peanuts. Once cooked, it turns into a thick, smooth porridge, a common breakfast favorite in many Nigerian homes.
In this post, I’ll show you how to make the perfect Tom Brown powder step by step, using simple ingredients you can easily find.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You can adjust the quantities to make a small or large batch. Here’s a basic list of ingredients:
Yellow corn or maize – 2 cups
Millet – 2 cup
Guinea corn (optional) – 1 cup
Soybeans – 2 cup
Groundnuts (peanuts) – 1 cup
Crayfish (optional) – ½ cup
Dates (optional natural sweetener) – a handful
You can also add ingredients like oats, tigernut, or rice depending on your preference, just make sure they are clean and safe for consumption.
Step 1: Clean All Ingredients
Start by sorting and washing each ingredient separately. Remove stones, dirt, or bad seeds. Clean ingredients give you better taste and safer powder for your family.
After washing, dry them under the sun for a day or two, or use an oven if you have one. Everything must be completely dry before roasting.
Step 2: Roast Each Ingredient
Roast each item separately in a dry pan or wide pot over medium heat.
Roast corn, millet, and guinea corn until golden and slightly crunchy.
Roast soybeans until the skin starts to peel.
Roast peanuts lightly, just enough to bring out the flavor.
If you’re using dates, remove the seeds and dry them lightly.
Roast crayfish gently, not too much.
This step brings out the rich flavor and helps preserve the powder for a longer time.
Step 3: Blend Everything Together
After roasting, let all the ingredients cool completely.
Then, take them to a commercial blender (like those used for grinding beans and grains in the market), or use a high-power blender at home.
Grind everything into a smooth, fine powder.
If you want extra smoothness, you can sieve the powder to remove any rough bits, especially if you’re preparing it for babies.
Step 4: Store Properly
Once blended and smooth, store your Tom Brown powder in an airtight container. Keep it in a cool, dry place.
If stored properly, it can last for 3 to 6 months without spoiling.
How to Use Tom Brown Powder
To make Tom Brown:
1. Mix 2–3 tablespoons of powder with a little cold water to form a smooth paste.
2. Pour into a pot and cook over medium heat.
3. Stir continuously while cooking to avoid lumps.
4. Add water or milk as needed, cook for 5–8 minutes.
5. Sweeten with honey, sugar, or fruit (optional) and serve warm.
If you’re more of a visual learner, or just want to see how it all comes together, watch the full video here.
