Nigerian Recipe for Traditional Egusi Soup

Staple foods in the Nigerian diet include: peanuts or120g Fresh Tomatoes
ground-nuts, yams, cassava, fish, rice, okra, bananas,100ml Water
guinea corn and millet, and palm nuts.Salt & Pepper to taste
They are usually starchy and Nigerians love to cookWash the water leaves well in clean, fresh water.
with a lot of pepper and spices especially those fromLiquidise or pulverise the onions, tomatoes and egusi
the southwest and southeast. This recipe uses all localseeds until smooth.
ingredients to create a tasty and nourishing meal.Add the dry ground pepper and fry in palm oil for five
Ground Egusi seeds give this soup a unique color andminutes.
flavor. If you can't find Egusi seeds in your store, youAdd the water, put the lid on and cook for five
can substitute pumpkin seeds or Pepitas which youminutes.
can find in Latin American grocery stores. This soup isNow add the water leaves, replace lid and cook for a
thickened with flour ground from seeds of gourds,further five minutes.
melons, pumpkins, and squashes, many of which areFinally, add the crayfish and seasoning, warming
native to Africa.through well.
Egusi SoupServe with pounded yam or cooked rice and a meat
200 g Water Leavesstew, to provide protein.
50 g Egusi seedsAlternatively, serve with eba, fufu or any suitable
1 teaspoon Dry Ground Red Peppercarbohydrate.
1 medium OnionWith thanks to the people of Nigeria who made us
100ml Palm Oilwelcome and instilled in us a love of traditional Nigerian
10g Dry Ground Crayfishfood.