Would you love to try one of Nigeria’s finest cuisine made of pumpkin seeds, palm oil, crayfish, stockfish, beef, and leafy vegetables? Add it all up and you can imagine a meal so tasty because it comprises a variety of organic ingredients from Nigeria. Dear food lovers, ever heard of egusi soup and pounded yam? This is one of Nigeria’s finest cuisine that will leave you mouth-watering and asking for more. Let’s guide you on how you can prepare this at home for the family.
Related media: How To Make Egusi Soup (Updated Recipe) – Easy & Delicious
How To Prepare Egusi Soup And Pounded Yam
Egusi soup and pounded yam is the foremost local dish in Nigeria. We enjoy this meal because it’s highly nutritious and delicious and you won’t get yourself after this dish. We bet your bite would pay off. This is such a delicious delicacy you can’t miss out. Here are tips on how this meal is prepared!
What You’ll Need (Ingredients)
- Yams
- Egusi (pumpkin/melon seeds)
- Palm oil
- Beef
- Crayfish
- Stockfish
- Smoked fish
- Fresh tomatoes
- Green leafy vegetables
- Fresh pepper
- Black pepper
- Seasonings
- Salt (to taste)
- Water
Egusi is gotten from melon seeds which is being removed, dried, and ground into powder. These are usually stored in a silo bag depending on the quantity needed.
Palm oil is usually found and distributed in the eastern part of Nigeria. This part comprises the Igbos who usually indulge in the oil palm business. Beef, stockfish, and smoked fish are all sourced from the local markets in Nigeria.
Beef can also be sourced from abattoirs (slaughterhouses) where cattle are slaughtered and packaged. Smoked fish, also known as dried fish, can be prepared by grilling fresh fish like salmon or tilapia on fire.
Crayfish are usually gotten from the riverine areas in Nigeria. Alternatives to crayfish include shrimps and crabs.
All your vegetables are easily gotten at your local grocery shop or market. And we guess you have running water and salt to taste.
Egusi Soup: Step-By-Step
Step 1: Wash your stockfish with hot water and salt thoroughly and pour it into a pot.
Step 2: Add enough water and allow it to cook for about 10 to 15 minutes because it’s usually tough.
Step 3: After the stockfish is soft, set it aside and keep it in a bowl.
Step 4: Wash your meat thoroughly, and add salt and onions. Allow it to steam for 5 to 10 minutes.
Step 5: Then you pour your stock fish into the meat mixture and add water, crayfish, fresh pepper, and black pepper and allow it to cook for about 10 to 15 minutes.
Step 6: Pour your palm oil into a pot and heat it, add your onions, crayfish, smoked fish, and fresh tomatoes and fry till it’s done.
Step 7: Pour your egusi into a bowl and add a little amount of water, turn it till becomes thick, and add it into the palm oil sauce mixture.
Step 8: Stir it gently for about 5 to 10 minutes.
Step 9: Add your meat and stockfish stock into the palm oil mixture and cook for about 10 minutes.
Step 10: When you’re done, cut your leafy green vegetables and add them to the soup and stir for 5 minutes.
Then finally your egusi soup is done.
Pounded Yam: Step By Step
Step 1: Get a tuber of yam, cut, wash, and peel to desirable sizes.
Step 2: Put it in a pot, add water, and cook for 10 to 12 minutes.
Step 3: When you’re done, sieve the water from the yam, put it in a mortar, and pound till it’s soft.
Step 4: Remove it from the mortar and roll it into ball size and keep it in a bowl.
Finally: Serve the pounded yam with egusi soup in a traditional bowl.
Then you are absolutely good to go.
Let’s Wrap It Up!
In conclusion, egusi soup and pounded yam is a mouth-watering dish you don’t wanna miss. It is highly nutritious and healthy. As it comprises organic ingredients to prepare the dishes. All you need to do is follow the steps above and you done with a hefty, healthy meal for the whole family. We guess you will love this meal because it is one of a kind you can’t escape.
Have you tried egusi soup and pounded yam yet?
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Written by: Loretta Emmanuel, Wed, May 15, 2023.