Recipe: Ogbono Soup: A Nigerian Delight

The Ogbono soup is a popular Nigerian dish often served in African restaurants. It is simple to prepare and requires no cooking experience. Children under ten need adult supervision.

Photo byKalyani AkellaonUnsplash

Servings: 8-10. Prep. Time: 15-20 minutes. Cooking Time: 70-80 minutes. Total Cooking Time: 85-100 minutes.

What you need

• Stove,
• 85-100 minutes.

Required Ingredients

• I pound of chicken breast or 6 legs (mushroom for vegans and vegetarians),
• 1 pound of fish,
• 1 pound of beef,
• 1 cup of grounded crayfish,
• 2 cups of grounded Ogbono seeds (available in African stores or online).

Ogbono and crayfishPhoto byAuthor

Optional Ingredients

• 2 pounds of cut stockfish or cow skin,
• ½ Cup of chopped spinach,
• ¼ Cup of chopped onions and pepper,
• Mushrooms for vegans and vegetarians,
• Salt to taste,
• 2 tablespoons of palm oil,
• ¼ teaspoons of chopped thyme leaves,
• Knorr powder.

Directions

Step 1.

• Wash, dry, cut, and season all the meats and fish,
• Cut or chop vegetables,
• Set them aside.

Step 2.

• Use a large-sized pot,
• Add the seasoned meats, chopped pepper and onions,
• Add water almost on top of the pot,
• Cover the pot and cook for about 40 minutes,
• Add one ½ cups of water, cut fish, and stir for a few seconds,
• Cook for about 20 minutes (the water is almost dry).

Step 3

• Off the stove,
• Add about 2 cups of water,
• Add grounded Ogbono seed, crayfish, knorr powder, and palm oil,
• Stir for a minute,
• Cook for about 15 minutes,
• Add salt to taste and slow cook for about 4 minutes
• Add chopped spinach (optional),
• Stir for a few seconds and cook for about a minute.

Your meal is ready (see the photo below). Serve with fofo, pounded yam, or mashed potato.

Ogbono SoupPhoto byAuthor

Ogbono soup is a popular Nigerian dish that takes time to make. It requires no cooking experience. Remember, cooking skill gets better as people do it often. If you choose not to cook, hire a personal chef to prepare your meal. Check Google for your local personal chef.

Are you a vegan or vegetarian? If yes, substitute chicken with mushroom.

Feel free to share the recipe.