Egusi soup (Melon Soup) is Unarguably the most popular Nigerian soup everyone loves. It's quite versatile too as it's prepared by every single tribe in Nigeria though the methods of preparation might differ slightly.
No matter how it is prepared, the end result still remains the same good old tasty soup
In the north it's known as Miyan Gushi, in the east it is known as Ofe egusi, in the west it is known as efo-elegusi.
It could also be prepared with different leaves such as Ugu leaf "fluted pumpkin leaf", Onugbu "Bitter leaf, Afang "Wild spinach", water leaf e.t.c
A different leaf means a different flavor.
One of the reasons why i love preparing Egusi soup with bitter leaf is, with bitter leaf the soup tends to last longer without the taste changing while being refrigerated but when prepared with ugu leaves, it's best eaten within a time frame. Also, bitter leaf makes it fingerlicking good.
How to make Egusi soup with bitter leaf
• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: Over 45 minutes
• Serves :
Ingredients:::
• 2 Cups Melon Seeds "Egusi"
• 600g Red beef
• 1 medium sized Stock fish
• 2 Medium Smoked fish
• 1/2 Cooking spoon Cray fish
• 5 chili pepper "Shombo"
• 3 red scotch bonnet pepper "Ata rodo"
• 1 medium sized onion
• 1½ Cup palm oil
• 1 Cup Bitter leaf - Pre-washed
• 3 Seasoning cubes
• Salt to taste
Directions:::
Step 1: The first step is to peel the egusi by removing the white Egusi seeds from the brown shell. Place the peeled Egusi in a dry mill (The smaller grinder that comes with the Cup blender) and grind till smooth. It might start to cake up but never mind, that's not a problem.
Step 2: Bitter leaf is always sold pre-washed in the Nigerian market. To be on the safer side and to avoid making your soup extremely bitter, it's always advisable to Boil and re-wash the already washed bitter leaf.
Place the pre-washed bitter leaf in an empty pot and add some water. Cook on medium heat for 10mins. Strain and rinse about 2-3 times more. Squeeze out the excess water and set aside for later use. Please taste it before adding to the soup (There's no remedy to Bitter Egusi soup - If you've got, please share below)
Step 3: Wash the chili pepper and scotch bonnet. Dice or blend into a puree - Set aside.
Step 4: For the Stock, you could use any type of meat or fish you choose to. For this particular recipe, i used a mixture of Stock fish, Smoked fish & Beef.
Wash the Beef, Stock fish and Smoked fish (remove the bone). Place the beef in an empty pot, add the blended pepper puree and Chopped onion (you could also blend the onion), Crushed seasoning cubes and just enough water to cover the content of the pot. Cook on medium heat for about 25 minutes. Add the salt, washed stock fish and smoked fish, Cook for another 5 minutes. Turn off the burner and set aside.
Step 5: In an empty pot, pour in the palm oil and heat it for 1minute ,then mix the ground Egusi with halfcup of warm water to make paste. On medium heat, stir fry for about 3 minutes till it starts to dry up but don't let it burn. Note you can mix your egusi with blend or chop onions if you want it to cake up very well.
Step 6: Pour in the meat & fish stock in step 4 above, add the ground crayfish, Stir and cover the pot. Leave to cook for about 15 minutes till the Egusi swells and cakes up a little. By this time, the oil would have settled on top.
Step 7: Add the washed bitter leaf, stir and cover the pot. Leave to simmer for 5-7 minutes before turning off the burner.
Serve with any "Swallow", Yam or Rice.
Monday, 31 July 2017
Thursday, 6 July 2017
10 DIFFERENT WAYS TO COOK PLANTAIN RECIPES
10 Different Ways To Cook Plantain - Plantain Recipes.
Plantain is one of the most popular food staples enjoyed by many across the country. It's a nutrient filled fruit that contains an ample amount of vitamins and minerals.
It can be enjoyed in various ways due to it's versatile nature. It's quite similar to banana in shape but contains less sugar than bananas but starchier.
Plantain is rich in carbohydrate, protein, fat, fiber, vitamins A,B6,C, potassium, magnesium and iron. It has got different stages of ripening which reflects in the skin color at each stage (green, yellow & black) and this gives it it's versatility due to the type of dishes that can be prepared at each stage of ripening.
In no particular order, here are some plantain dishes to make.
1. Gizdodo (Gizzard & Plantain) Recipe.
If you haven't noticed, i'm a real sucker for fried plantain. Sometimes i wonder if it's possible to actually fry plantain without sneaking a few into my mouth while at it.
2. Cocoa Mosa - Using Overripe Plantain
Admit it, you've always felt tingly sensation of guilt when you have to throw away over ripe plantain that may be too soft to be fried. For me, nothing goes to waste. Instead, they can be re-purposed into better things like this mini bite sized treats.
3. Ukodo (Urhobo yam & plantain pepper soup)
Wadoo!!!! Is it just me or did the weather get chilly all of a sudden. This is the best type of weather for one of my favorite south-south recipes....Ukodo.
4. How to Make Sweet Plantain Empanadas Recipe
Sweet, savory plantain empanadas are a delight for the whole fam every single time i make it. I've always loved plantain (Duh! abeg who doesn't?) but making empanadas with yummy fillings is a whole different ball game entirely.
5. Sweet spicy plantain chips recipe.
The key to getting the perfect crunch is all about picking the right plantains. Unlike the unripe plantain chips which is made using green plantains as shown previously, it's best to use the semi ripe plantains that's just about turning yellow for this to get that "Sweet" taste.
6. Boli (Roasted plantain) - How to roast plantain at home
When you love something so much you ensure you have ample supply of it at all times. This is one of the reasons why i decided to grow plantain on a small portion of borrowed farm land.
7. Unripe plantain chips
Did you know that Unripe plantain chips are really easy to make at home? It's so true. For me. I'd say they are even easier to make than most Nigerian snacks.
8. Plantain Mosa
Throwing away rotten plantains is as common as buying them. We all know the drill, once the skin gets almost black, it goes into the waste bin and the cycle of buying and throwing starts again. Well, not anymore as i'm about to show you how to turn overripe plantains into a delightful snack anytime.
9. Unripe plantain porridge recipe - Ojoko Awai.
Unripe plantain porridge is a meal enjoyed by most people but commonly prepared for those trying to reduce their sugar consumption or those with diabetes. It's traditionally prepared with the green unripe plantain though to make it a little bit sweet, some people prepare this dish by mixing ripe and unripe plantain together.
10. Plantain moi moi (Ukpo Ogede)
Ukpo Ogede "Plantain Moi moi" is a popular dish in the eastern part of Nigeria. it's a sweet savory steamed dish made with over ripe plantains especially those with black skins (As long as it isn't rotten on the inside) so they don't go to waste.
Plantain is one of the most popular food staples enjoyed by many across the country. It's a nutrient filled fruit that contains an ample amount of vitamins and minerals.
It can be enjoyed in various ways due to it's versatile nature. It's quite similar to banana in shape but contains less sugar than bananas but starchier.
Plantain is rich in carbohydrate, protein, fat, fiber, vitamins A,B6,C, potassium, magnesium and iron. It has got different stages of ripening which reflects in the skin color at each stage (green, yellow & black) and this gives it it's versatility due to the type of dishes that can be prepared at each stage of ripening.
In no particular order, here are some plantain dishes to make.
1. Gizdodo (Gizzard & Plantain) Recipe.
If you haven't noticed, i'm a real sucker for fried plantain. Sometimes i wonder if it's possible to actually fry plantain without sneaking a few into my mouth while at it.
2. Cocoa Mosa - Using Overripe Plantain
Admit it, you've always felt tingly sensation of guilt when you have to throw away over ripe plantain that may be too soft to be fried. For me, nothing goes to waste. Instead, they can be re-purposed into better things like this mini bite sized treats.
3. Ukodo (Urhobo yam & plantain pepper soup)
Wadoo!!!! Is it just me or did the weather get chilly all of a sudden. This is the best type of weather for one of my favorite south-south recipes....Ukodo.
4. How to Make Sweet Plantain Empanadas Recipe
Sweet, savory plantain empanadas are a delight for the whole fam every single time i make it. I've always loved plantain (Duh! abeg who doesn't?) but making empanadas with yummy fillings is a whole different ball game entirely.
5. Sweet spicy plantain chips recipe.
The key to getting the perfect crunch is all about picking the right plantains. Unlike the unripe plantain chips which is made using green plantains as shown previously, it's best to use the semi ripe plantains that's just about turning yellow for this to get that "Sweet" taste.
6. Boli (Roasted plantain) - How to roast plantain at home
When you love something so much you ensure you have ample supply of it at all times. This is one of the reasons why i decided to grow plantain on a small portion of borrowed farm land.
7. Unripe plantain chips
Did you know that Unripe plantain chips are really easy to make at home? It's so true. For me. I'd say they are even easier to make than most Nigerian snacks.
8. Plantain Mosa
Throwing away rotten plantains is as common as buying them. We all know the drill, once the skin gets almost black, it goes into the waste bin and the cycle of buying and throwing starts again. Well, not anymore as i'm about to show you how to turn overripe plantains into a delightful snack anytime.
9. Unripe plantain porridge recipe - Ojoko Awai.
Unripe plantain porridge is a meal enjoyed by most people but commonly prepared for those trying to reduce their sugar consumption or those with diabetes. It's traditionally prepared with the green unripe plantain though to make it a little bit sweet, some people prepare this dish by mixing ripe and unripe plantain together.
10. Plantain moi moi (Ukpo Ogede)
Ukpo Ogede "Plantain Moi moi" is a popular dish in the eastern part of Nigeria. it's a sweet savory steamed dish made with over ripe plantains especially those with black skins (As long as it isn't rotten on the inside) so they don't go to waste.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)