Egusi soup stands out with its rich flavours and cultural significance.
This delectable dish, made with ground melon seeds, various vegetables, and a blend of aromatic spices, holds a special place in the hearts and taste buds of Nigerians. In this article, we’ll take you on a culinary journey through the steps of preparing an authentic Nigerian Egusi Soup that will leave your taste buds dancing and your cravings satisfied.
Ingredients for Egusi soup
Before you embark on your Egusi Soup adventure, gather these essential ingredients:
2 cups of Egusi (melon) seeds, ground
2 cups of assorted meats (chicken, beef, or goat meat), cooked and roasted
2 cups of spinach chopped
1 cup of palm oil
2 medium-sized onion, finely chopped
4 scotch bonnets,
2 chilli peppers
2 long bell peppers/tatshe
Dry Catfish (Optional)
4 cups of stock or water
Instructions:
Cook meat: In a pot, cook the assorted meat with onions, seasoning cubes, and salt until tender. Then roast them in the oven at 325degrees for 15 minutes.
Prepare pepper blend: Blend peppers together and boil in a pot till most of the water evaporates ( should take 10 minutes or less)
Make egusi paste by mixing melon seeds and onion. Make sure paste is slightly thick
In a separate pan, heat the palm oil and add the egusi paste. Stir fry for about 5 minutes until the egusi is fried and clumpy
Add pepper blend, cooked meat, Cameroon pepper, crayfish, and some water to the pot. Stir well and let it simmer for about 10 minutes.
Add the chopped vegetables and season with more salt and seasoning cubes if needed. Cook for an additional 3 minutes.
Serve the egusi soup with pounded yam, or any other swallow of your choice
