Plasas
Potato Leaves Soup
Plasas is a traditional Gambian soup made with potato leaves, often enriched with peanut butter, palm oil, and sometimes smoked fish or meat. It's a nutritious and flavorful dish, showcasing the use of local greens and staple ingredients.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Potato leaves(fresh, washed and chopped)
- 1 cup Raw peanuts(shelled)
- 0.5 cup Peanut butter(unsweetened)
- 0.25 cup Red palm oil
- 1 large Onions(chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 whole Scotch bonnet pepper or habanero(adjust to taste)
- 100 g Smoked fish (e.g., bonga)(optional, cleaned and flaked)
- 1 optional Seasoning cube
- 6 cups Water(or as needed)
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 1 tbsp Ground crayfish or shrimp powder(optional)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a blender, combine the chopped onions, minced garlic, scotch bonnet pepper, and about 1 cup of water. Blend until smooth.
💡 Tip: Adjust the amount of scotch bonnet pepper based on your spice preference. - 2
In a large pot, combine the blended mixture, raw peanuts, peanut butter, red palm oil, and seasoning cube (if using). Add the chopped potato leaves.
- 3
Add the smoked fish (if using), ground crayfish (if using), salt, and the remaining 5 cups of water. Stir everything well to combine.
💡 Tip: Ensure the potato leaves are well submerged in the liquid. - 4
Bring the soup to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for at least 1 hour, or until the potato leaves are tender and the flavors have melded.
💡 Tip: Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. - 5
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt if needed. If the soup is too thick, add a little more water.
- 6
Serve the Plasas hot, traditionally accompanied by rice, fufu, or couscous.
💡 Tip: Garnish with a little extra chopped onion or a drizzle of palm oil if desired.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Ensure the potato leaves are thoroughly washed and chopped finely.
- ✓If fresh potato leaves are unavailable, frozen or dried can be used, but adjust cooking time accordingly.
- ✓For a vegetarian version, omit the smoked fish and crayfish.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Some variations include adding other vegetables like okra or eggplant.
- Meat such as beef or chicken can be added for a heartier soup.