Togolese Ademe Soup
A flavorful and nutrient-rich soup made from jute leaves (Ademe), often enriched with various meats, fish, and palm oil. It's known for its slightly slimy texture and savory taste.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Jute leaves (Ademe)(fresh or frozen, finely chopped)
- 300 g Assorted meat (beef, goat, or chicken)(cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 100 g Smoked fish(cleaned and broken into pieces)
- 50 g Dried shrimp
- 1 large Onion(chopped)
- 3 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 inch piece Ginger(grated)
- 2 medium Tomatoes(pureed)
- 3 tbsp Palm oil
- 1 to taste Scotch bonnet pepper(finely chopped (optional))
- to taste Salt
- 2 cups Water
- 1 Maggi cube or other bouillon
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
If using fresh jute leaves, wash them thoroughly and chop finely. If using frozen, thaw them completely.
💡 Tip: Some prefer to beat the chopped leaves with a spoon or in a food processor to release their natural sliminess. - 2
In a large pot, heat the palm oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Sauté until fragrant and softened, about 5 minutes.
- 3
Add the assorted meat to the pot and brown it on all sides. Then, add the smoked fish and dried shrimp.
- 4
Stir in the pureed tomatoes and cook for another 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- 5
Add the chopped jute leaves to the pot. Stir well to combine with the other ingredients. Add water, salt, and the Maggi cube. If using, add the scotch bonnet pepper.
💡 Tip: Ensure the leaves are well incorporated. The soup will naturally thicken and become slightly slimy as it cooks. - 6
Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 30-40 minutes, or until the meat is tender and the soup has reached the desired consistency.
💡 Tip: Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. - 7
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt if needed. Serve hot.
💡 Tip: Ademe soup is traditionally served with fufu, akume, gari, or rice.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The sliminess of the jute leaves is a characteristic of this dish and is considered desirable.
- ✓Adjust the amount of scotch bonnet pepper to your spice preference.
- ✓For a richer flavor, you can add other proteins like crab or different types of fish.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Vegetarian version: Omit the meat and fish, and use vegetable broth instead of water.
- Add other vegetables like chopped bell peppers or African eggplant.