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.
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Here’s a detailed recipe on how to prepare Egusi soup:
Ingredient Needed:
- 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)
- 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!
