Nigerian Vegetable Soup

Nigerian Vegetable Soup Recipe: A Nutritious and Delicious Delight

Nigerian vegetable soup is a must-have in every Nigerian home. It’s rich in flavor, packed with nutrients, and bursting with aromatic spices. Whether you prefer Edikang Ikong from the Efik tribe or Efo Riro, a Yoruba classic, this dish is a perfect blend of leafy greens, proteins, and delicious spices. In this guide, we will take you through how to prepare these traditional Nigerian vegetable soups the authentic way.

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Why You’ll Love Nigerian Vegetable Soup

• Rich in Nutrients: Packed with vitamins and minerals from leafy greens.
• Protein-Rich: Loaded with assorted meats, fish, and sometimes seafood.
• Bursting with Flavor: A perfect blend of Nigerian spices and seasonings.
• Versatile: Pairs well with pounded yam, eba, fufu, or rice.

Let’s dive into two of the most popular Nigerian vegetable soups—Edikang Ikong and Efo Riro.

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Edikang Ikong Soup Recipe (Efik-Style Vegetable Soup)

Ingredients:

• 2 cups ugwu (fluted pumpkin leaves), chopped
• 1 cup waterleaf, chopped (or substitute with spinach)
• 500g assorted meat (beef, goat meat, tripe, etc.)
• 2 cups periwinkles (optional)
• 2 medium dry fish (soaked and deboned)
• 1 cup crayfish, blended
• 2 stock cubes
• 2 tablespoons ground pepper
• 2 cups palm oil
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Ingredients: Wash and chop the vegetables. Rinse the meat and fish thoroughly.
2. Cook the Meat: In a pot, season the assorted meats with salt, stock cubes, and pepper. Add water and cook until tender.
3. Add Dry Fish and Periwinkles: Once the meat is cooked, add the dry fish and periwinkles.
4. Pour in Palm Oil: Allow the palm oil to melt into the broth, stirring well.
5. Add Crayfish and Pepper: Sprinkle the blended crayfish and pepper into the pot.
6. Introduce Waterleaf First: Stir in the chopped waterleaf and let it cook for 3 minutes.
7. Add Ugwu Leaves: Lastly, add the ugwu leaves, stirring gently to combine. Allow it to cook for another 5 minutes.
8. Final Taste Test: Adjust seasoning and serve hot with fufu, eba, or pounded yam!

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Efo Riro Recipe (Yoruba-Style Vegetable Soup)

Ingredients:

• 2 bunches efo tete (African spinach), chopped
• 500g assorted meats (shaki, pomo, goat meat, beef, etc.)
• 2 medium smoked fish (deboned)
• 1 cup crayfish, blended
• 2 medium onions (chopped)
• 4 large tomatoes (blended)
• 2 red bell peppers (tatashe, blended)
• 2 scotch bonnet peppers (ata rodo, blended)
• 1 cup palm oil
• 2 stock cubes
• 2 tablespoons ground locust beans (iru)
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Ingredients: Wash and chop the vegetables. Blend tomatoes, peppers, and onions together.
2. Cook the Meat: In a pot, season the assorted meats with salt, stock cubes, and a little water. Cook until soft.
3. Make the Pepper Sauce: In another pot, heat palm oil and sauté chopped onions. Add the blended pepper mix and allow it to cook for about 10 minutes.
4. Add Crayfish and Locust Beans: Stir in crayfish and iru for added depth of flavor.
5. Introduce the Meat and Fish: Pour in the cooked meats and smoked fish, allowing the flavors to blend.
6. Add the Spinach: Stir in the chopped efo tete and cook for 5 minutes.
7. Final Adjustments: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
8. Serve and Enjoy! Best paired with amala, fufu, or rice.

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Pro Tips for the Best Nigerian Vegetable Soup

• Don’t Overcook the Vegetables: Keep your greens fresh and vibrant by cooking them briefly.
• Use Assorted Proteins: The combination of meats, fish, and seafood enhances flavor.
• Palm Oil is Essential: It gives the soup its authentic Nigerian taste.
• Add a Smoky Flavor: Use smoked fish or stockfish for a richer taste.