Experience the rich and unique flavors of Nigerian Cashew Nut Soup, a delightful alternative to traditional Egusi soup. This hearty dish combines the natural sweetness of cashews with the pleasantly bitter notes of bitter leaf, creating a perfectly balanced West African delicacy.
This easy-to-prepare soup takes less than an hour to make and features a wonderfully thick, creamy texture that pairs perfectly with pounded yam. The combination of goat meat, smoked catfish, and prawns creates a deeply satisfying protein-rich meal that’s both nutritious and flavorful.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup salted roasted cashew nuts
- 6-8 pieces goat meat
- 1 medium smoked catfish
- 8-10 pieces smoked prawns
- 1 tablespoon ground crayfish
- 1 cup washed bitter leaf
- 1/2 medium onion
- Scotch bonnet pepper to taste
- 2-3 cooking spoons palm oil
- Seasoning cubes to taste
- Salt to taste
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 45 minutes
- Serves: 4-6 people
Steps to Follow
- Step 1: Marinate goat meat with chopped onions, pepper, and seasoning cubes for 20 minutes
- Step 2: Steam marinated meat in its own juices until dry, then add water and cook until tender
- Step 3: While meat cooks, grind cashew nuts into a fine powder
- Step 4: Wash bitter leaf and chop into large chunks
- Step 5: Add smoked catfish, prawns, and crayfish to cooked meat, add water and bring to boil
- Step 6: Add palm oil and simmer for 5 minutes
- Step 7: Add bitter leaf and cook for 1 minute
- Step 8: Gradually add cashew nut powder, stirring well to combine
- Step 9: Simmer until soup reaches desired thickness
- Step 10: Serve hot with pounded yam
Additional Instructions
- When adding cashew powder, start with a small amount and allow the soup to simmer before adding more
- The bitter leaf can be washed multiple times to reduce bitterness according to preference
- Spinach or ugu (pumpkin leaves) can be substituted for bitter leaf
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
- Reheat gently on stovetop, adding a little water if needed to adjust consistency
- Contains nuts – not suitable for people with cashew allergies
General Nutritional Values
- Approx. Calories: 450 kcal per serving
- Approx. Protein: 25g
- Approx. Carbohydrates: 15g
- Approx. Fat: 35g
