Egusi Soup
A rich and hearty Nigerian staple, this Egusi soup is made from ground melon seeds, simmered with assorted meats, fish, and vibrant leafy greens. It's a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for any occasion.
🧂 Ingredients
- 300g Ground egusi (melon seeds)(Ensure it's finely ground for a smooth soup base.)
- 800g Assorted meat (e.g., goat meat, beef, tripe, shaki)(Cut into bite-sized pieces. Can be pre-boiled for tenderness.)
- 1 piece or 200g Stockfish (e.g., head or pieces)(Soaked overnight and boiled until tender.)
- 200g Dried fish (e.g., catfish, tilapia)(Cleaned and broken into pieces.)
- 200ml Palm oil(Use good quality, unrefined palm oil for authentic flavor and color.)
- 400g Leafy greens (e.g., pumpkin leaves (ugu), spinach, bitter leaf)(Washed and chopped. If using bitter leaf, it needs to be thoroughly washed to reduce bitterness.)
- 2 large Onions(1 roughly chopped for boiling meat, 1 blended with scotch bonnet.)
- 3-4 (or to taste) Scotch bonnet peppers(Adjust quantity based on desired heat level. Remove seeds for less heat.)
- 3 tbsp Ground crayfish(Adds a crucial umami depth.)
- 2 Seasoning cubes (e.g., Maggi, Knorr)(Or to taste.)
- 2 tbsp Locust beans (iru or dawadawa)(Fermented beans that add a unique savory flavor.)
- As needed Water or meat stock(To achieve desired soup consistency.)
- To taste Salt
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the meats and fish: If not pre-boiled, place the assorted meats and stockfish in a large pot. Add one roughly chopped onion, seasoning cubes, and enough water to cover. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat (around 100°C / 212°F), then reduce heat, cover, and simmer until the meats are tender, about 45-60 minutes. Skim off any impurities that rise to the surface. Once tender, add the cleaned dried fish and simmer for another 10 minutes. Reserve the cooking liquid (meat stock).
⏱️ 1 hour 10 minutes - 2
Prepare the greens: If using bitter leaf, wash it thoroughly in multiple changes of water until the bitterness is significantly reduced. Squeeze out excess water and set aside. If using spinach or pumpkin leaves, wash and chop them. Blanching spinach briefly can help retain its vibrant green color.
⏱️ 25 minutes - 3
Prepare the pepper base: Blend the scotch bonnet peppers and the remaining onion until smooth. In a separate pot or the pot you'll use for the soup, heat the palm oil over medium heat (around 180°C / 350°F). Be careful not to let it smoke excessively. You can fry the blended pepper mixture in the hot oil for about 5-7 minutes until fragrant and the oil starts to separate slightly, or until the raw pepper smell dissipates. Some prefer to fry the egusi first, then add the pepper; this method adds a deeper flavor.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 4
Cook the egusi: In a bowl, mix the ground egusi with a small amount of water to form a thick paste. Add this egusi paste to the pot with the fried pepper mixture (or directly to the hot palm oil if you skipped step 3). Stir gently and allow it to fry for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. The egusi will clump and change color slightly, indicating it's cooking and the raw taste is being removed. Be careful not to burn it.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 5
Combine ingredients: Add the cooked assorted meats, stockfish, dried fish, ground crayfish, and locust beans to the pot with the egusi. Stir well to combine all the flavors.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 6
Add liquid and simmer: Pour in the reserved meat stock and enough additional water or stock to reach your desired soup consistency. Bring the soup to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat (around 90°C / 195°F). Cover the pot and let it simmer for at least 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
⏱️ 20 minutes - 7
Add the greens: Stir in the washed and chopped leafy greens. Cook for just a few minutes until the greens are wilted but still vibrant. For spinach, this might be 2-3 minutes; for pumpkin leaves or bitter leaf, 5 minutes is usually sufficient. Overcooking will make the greens lose their color and nutrients.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 8
Final seasoning and serving: Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with salt and additional seasoning cubes if needed. Serve the Egusi soup hot with traditional accompaniments such as pounded yam, fufu, eba (garri), or amala.
⏱️ 2 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a smoother soup, ensure your egusi is finely ground. You can also blend some of the egusi paste after frying if you prefer a less clumpy texture.
- ✓The frying of the egusi in palm oil is crucial for developing its characteristic flavor and texture. Don't skip this step.
- ✓The quality and freshness of your melon seeds (egusi) significantly impact the final taste.
- ✓Adjust the amount of scotch bonnet peppers to control the spice level. For milder heat, remove the seeds and white pith before blending.
- ✓Ensure your leafy greens are added last and cooked only until wilted to maintain their vibrant color and nutritional value.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Egusi soup can be made with different types of leafy greens like uziza leaves, spinach, kale, or a combination.
- Some variations involve boiling the egusi paste directly in the stock without frying it first, resulting in a different texture.
- Add other proteins like smoked fish or shrimp for added flavor complexity.