EGUSI SOUP AND GARRI
Those who know me so well know that egusi is my best soup, and those who don't know before now, now you do...
Egusi, ground white-seed Melon, is a popular traditional soup in Nigeria. It is so popular that different tribes/cultures and communities have their unique styles of preparing this meal. While the Igbos of the South Eastern part of Nigeria have a different way of preparing it, the Yorubas of the South Western part have their unique way. Among the Igbos, some sub-tribes also have their indigenous preparation style.
My preparation today will be based on the Igbo recipe, and I prefer its richness.
The Egusi soup isn't taken alone, rather it goes along with one or more "Swallows"; Eba, Fufu, Pounded Yam, Semo Vita, Wheat and many others. These "Swallows" are moulded like balls and taken with the Egusi as its "sauce" or soup.
One of the things that make this soup rich is the presence of distractions in the soup; and by distractions, I mean different types of meat and fish. Today, I'll prepare the Egusi soup with a bit of distractions as well (hehehehe).
THE INGREDIENTS/PROCESS
To prepare my Eba and Egusi meal, I used the following:
- Ground Egusi
- Ground Achi (Thickner)
- Palm Oil (red oil)
- Bitter leaf
- Crayfish
- Chicken
- Stock Fish
- Smoked catfish
- Kpomo (Cow skin)
- Maggi
- Curry and Thyme
- Salt
- Onoins
- Garri
Ground Egusi | Stock Fish | Chopped onoins |
Ground Achi | Bitter Leaf | Kpomo |
Chicken | Spicies | Garri |
Catfish |
PREPARING THE MEAL
One of the reasons why I hate preparing food is the time it takes. The truth is that most food items can be prepared within 1 hour or 30 minutes, but the bulk of the work rests on making minor preparations before the actual cooking process.
For this meal, my preparation will be divided into three parts:
- Making the Chicken-fish Stock,
- Preparing the Egusi Soup,
- Preparing the Garri.
While I advice you to watch the video, I'll give a summary of the process.
Making the Chicken-fish Stock
You need to first of all wash or clean you Chicken and Fish. Put the Chicken first in a small pot, add Curry, Thyme, Salt, Maggi and Chicken Spice (if there is). Then allow it to steam for about 10-12 minutes. Then add the Fish (after cleaning) in it and allow them steam together for 5 - 10 more minutes.
Preparing the Egusi Soup
For this, I'll encourage you to watch the video closely. However, you'll have to be ready to stir continously.
Preparing the Garri
This is really easy. Boil a water and ensure it is at boiling point. Power it immediately in a bowl, add your garri and turn till it gets okay.
Viola! Food is ready!!!
This preparation and food vlog is my entry for the Hive Learners Creative Sunday event.
The instrumental/audio in the video is my Guitar Cover of Eye Adaba by ASA.
@balikis95 let your doubt be cleared!!!
- Logo Collage property of: Hive Learners, Ecency, Leofinance, Hive, 3speak and Ksam.
- All images by me, and designed via Canva.
I AM KSAM
I may not be your favourite author, but you can journey with me to help me develop my writing skills. I am always open to criticism, correction and learning 🥰.
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