how to prepare Egusi soup

Egusi soup is a delicious and popular dish in West African cuisine, particularly in Nigeria It is made with ground melon seeds (egusi seeds) and often includes leafy vegetables and various proteins. 

Here’s a detailed recipe on how to prepare Egusi soup:

Ingredient Needed:

how to prepare Egusi soup
how to prepare Egusi soup
  • Ground egusi (melon) seeds
  • Assorted meats (chicken, beef, goat meat, or seafood) – cut into bite-sized pieces
  • Palm oil 
  • Chopped leafy vegetables (bitter leaf, or ugu leaves)
  • Ground crayfish (or substitute with smoked fish)
how to prepare Egusi soup
how to prepare Egusi soup
  • Ground pepper (cayenne or chili powder)
  • Stock cubes (chicken or vegetable)
  • Salt to taste
  • Water and  beef/chicken broth (about 4-5 cups)
  • Thickener (achi or cornflour)

Step by Step Instructions:

  • Prepare the meats:
    • Rinse the assorted meats thoroughly and season with salt, ground pepper, and any other preferred seasonings.
    • In a large pot, cook the meat and a little water until tender. (You can also use a pressure cooker to speed up the process.)
  • Prepare the egusi paste:
    • Mix the toasted egusi with some water to form a thick, smooth paste.
    • Fry the egusi paste in a dry pan over medium heat with palm oil for a few minutes. This helps to enhance its flavor.
    • Stir fry till the paste is dry, set aside
  • Cook the egusi soup:
    • Pour the cooked meats and their broth into the pot, Stir to combine.
    • Add your crayfish/smoked fish and any other protein of your choice
    • Allow to boil for 25 mins
  • Add the egusi paste:
    • Gradually add the egusi paste to the pot while stirring continuously to prevent lumps from forming. The egusi will thicken the soup.
  • Add seasoning:
    • Crumble the stock cubes into the soup and stir.
    • Add salt to taste.
  • Let the soup simmer:
    • Allow the soup to simmer on medium-low heat for about 15-20 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
  • Add the leafy vegetables:
    • Add the chopped leafy vegetables to the pot. You can use bitter leaf, or ugu(pumpkin)leaves, depending on your preference.
    • Stir well and continue simmering for an additional 5 minutes until the vegetables are cooked.
  • Adjust the seasoning:
    • Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning (salt and pepper) to your liking.
    • Add your thickener and allow to simmer for another 10 mins
  • Serve:
    • Your delicious egusi soup is now ready to be served! It is typically enjoyed with a side of fufu (like pounded yam, eba, or fufu).

This colorful and healthy soup will leave you licking your fingers and longing for more.

Enjoy!

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