Discover the secret to making the most deliciously lumpy Nigerian Egusi Soup, where the egusi forms delectable chunks similar to scrambled eggs. This traditional West African delicacy offers complete control over the size of the egusi lumps, allowing you to customize the texture to your preference.
This savory soup combines ground melon seeds with aromatic spices, tender meats, and fresh vegetables to create a rich, flavorful dish that’s both nutritious and satisfying. The unique cooking method ensures perfectly formed egusi lumps that add an exciting texture to every spoonful.
Ingredients
- 2 cups ground egusi (melon seeds)
- 500g beef
- 1 cup cow tripe
- 1 dried catfish
- 1 piece stockfish
- 2 cooking spoons red palm oil
- 2 sweet peppers
- Habanero pepper (to taste)
- 1¾ onions (divided: ¼ chopped, ½ blended for meat, 1 blended for egusi)
- 1 large beef-flavored seasoning cube
- 2 tablespoons ground crayfish
- Leafy vegetables (choice of uziza, ugu, or spinach)
- Prep time: 45 minutes
- Cook time: 1 hour
- Serves: 6-8 people
Steps to Follow
- Step 1: Soak dried fish in water until soft, then clean and debone
- Step 2: Grind egusi seeds and crayfish separately using a spice grinder
- Step 3: Prepare vegetables by cleaning and chopping; blend onions until smooth
- Step 4: Cook beef with seasoning cube and chopped onions until color changes
- Step 5: Add stockfish and tripe, cover with water, and cook until tender
- Step 6: Mix ground egusi with blended onions and form into small balls
- Step 7: Heat palm oil and fry chopped onions until translucent
- Step 8: Add some pepper and carefully place egusi balls into the oil
- Step 9: Fry balls until caked, then crush to desired lump size
- Step 10: Add crayfish and meat stock, simmer for 10 minutes
- Step 11: Incorporate all meats and remaining peppers
- Step 12: Add vegetables and salt to taste, heat through
- Step 13: Transfer to serving bowl immediately to preserve vegetable color
Additional Instructions
- Use fresh egusi seeds for best results
- Ensure meats are well-cleaned before cooking
- Control lump size by adjusting how much you break down the egusi balls
- Serve hot with any Nigerian fufu meal or white rice
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
- Reheat gently to maintain the texture of the lumps
- Allergy note: Contains fish and may contain traces of nuts
General Nutritional Values
- Approx. Calories: 450 kcal per serving
- Protein: 25g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fat: 35g
- Fiber: 5g
