To think that it was just yesterday that the internet was agog with videos of fufu and Egusi soup. The trend was more TikTok-led at the time and gradually pervaded other social media platforms. Fufu on its own has no pleasing taste, it requires being paired with a protein-rich, tasty and savoury soup such as this one.
Food is definitely proof that many cultures are similar, we have different names for a singular recipe or food ingredient. Egusi soup is made with ground melon seeds and blended peppers fried in palm oil. It is usually garnished with different proteins such as dried catfish, shrimp, cow skin cuts etc.
What is Egusi?
Egusi goes by many other names such as ikpan, ikon or even agushi in Ghana. Egusi in English is melon seed, it is used in its ground form as shown in the photo above.
Egusi soup would pair nicely with Easy Sadza | Ugali |African Cornmeal. Also learn How to Make Nigerian Fish Pepper Soup.
Ingredients needed for Nigerian Egusi Soup
Egusi (Ground Melon Seeds)
Egusi seeds in their whole or ground form can be purchased in your local African store. It is high in protein, Vitamin A, B1 and B2 which are beneficial in the repair of body tissue and the strengthening of bones.
Pepper Mix
You will need a fresh blend of red bell peppers, scotch bonnets and onion for this recipe.
Palm Oil
Palm oil which is oil produced by the palm nut is one of the most nutritious types of oils. Its redness enriches the colour of the soup. You can purchase a bottle of palm oil on my storefront, tested and trusted!
Protein
I used a combination of cow meat and skin for my soup. I also added in fresh shrimp, dried catfish, ground crayfish and stock fish (stock fish is dried cod which releases an uncommon but pleasant flavour to the soup). Yup, not a cheap soup to make.
The soup starts with the cooking of the meats before adding all other ingredients to cook in the broth, hence, you may have to adjust the length of the cooking based on the choice of meats used.
Chopped Spinach
Regular spinach can be bought from your local store, chop and rinse well before adding it into the soup.
If you will like to give it that extra cultural touch as done by Nigerians, you can add in locust beans which should also be available in your nearest African store.
In Nigeria, the fresh version is used. Being outside Nigeria, I settle for the dry version of locust beans. It might not exactly have a pleasing smell but it adds an umami essence to the overall dish.
Explore other savoury recipes such as Authentic Efo Riro Recipe (Nigerian Spinach Stew)
Don’t fail to also check out: How to Cook Edikang Ikong (Southern Nigerian Collard Greens)
How to Cook Delicious Nigerian Egusi Soup
Ingredients
- 10-15 pieces of fresh cow meat
- 5 pieces of cow skin
- 5- 10 Stock fish strips
- 4 cubes of beef or chicken bouillon
- Salt to taste
- 2 cups of water add as needed
- Blended pepper mix 3 tomatoes, 2 red bell peppers, 2 scotch bonnets and 1 onion
- 1 1/2 cups ground egusi
- 1 cup palm oil
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 full smoked catfish
- 10 pieces of fresh shrimp
- 2 Tbsp dry ground crayfish
- 3 Tbsp dry locust beans
- 2-3 cups chopped spinach for garnish
Instructions
- Rinse the meats, cow skin and stock fish pieces into a large pot.
- Add in chopped onion, season with the bouillon cubes and salt.
- Add the water and let cook for 20 mins.
- While the meats are cooking, boil water to clean the dry catfish, add some salt before immersing fully the dry fish in the hot water.
- Debone the catfish and set aside.
- Blend your pepper mix and pour into the meats.
- Add ground crayfish, cover and keep on cooking for 15 mins on high heat.
- Add the washed dry fish and palm oil into the meats, keep cooking on medium heat for 10 mins.
- In a bowl, pour in the ground melon seeds, some chopped onion and 1 cup of warm water. Mash fully till broken down, should not be smooth.
- Pour the egusi mix into the soup, combine well and cover to cook for 25-30 mins on medium heat.
- Add the locust beans, cook for another 5 mins.
- Add in the chopped spinach and shrimp. Let cook for another 10 mins while stirring, adjust seasoning if needed.
