Fried Egusi Soup

Ingredients

• 2 cup Egusi (Melon Seeds) (ground into a powder)
• 0.5 cup Palm Oil (used for frying the egusi)
• 1 Onion (diced)
• 1 cup Pepper Mix (typically a blend of scotch bonnet (atarodo) and bell peppers)
• 1 lb Assorted Meats (such as beef, shaki (tripe), or goat meat, pre-cooked)
• 0.5 lb Stock Fish and Dry Fish (soaked and cleaned)
• 2 cup Meat Stock (reserved from cooking the meats)
• 3 tbsp Crayfish (ground)
• 2 cup Leafy Greens (such as spinach, ugu (fluted pumpkin leaves), or bitter leaf; chopped)
• Salt and Seasoning Cubes (to taste)

Steps

1. 1

   Heat the palm oil in a large pot over medium heat until it is clear but not smoking.

2. 2

   Add the diced onions to the oil and sauté until they become fragrant and translucent.

3. 3

   Add the ground egusi to the pot. Fry the egusi in the oil, stirring constantly to prevent burning, until it develops a grainy, crumbly texture and a nutty aroma.

4. 4

   Pour in the pepper mix and stir well to combine with the fried egusi.

5. 5

   Add the pre-cooked assorted meats, stock fish, and dry fish to the pot.

6. 6

   Pour in the meat stock. Stir gently to incorporate all ingredients. If the soup is too thick, add a little water to reach your desired consistency.

7. 7

   Add the ground crayfish and seasoning cubes. Taste and adjust for salt.

8. 8

   Cover the pot and allow the soup to simmer for about 15-20 minutes on low-medium heat, allowing the flavors to meld and the oil to begin rising to the top.

9. 9

   Add the chopped leafy greens (spinach or ugu) and stir. Simmer for another 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are wilted but still vibrant.

10. 10

    Remove from heat and serve hot with your choice of swallow (e.g., Pounded Yam, Eba, or Fufu).

Notes

The creator emphasizes that the 'frying method' is superior to the 'express method' because it develops a richer flavor and a specific grainy texture that is unmatched. Ensure you fry the egusi long enough to achieve this texture without burning it.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• soup
• Nigerian
• West African
• high-protein
• stew
• traditional