25/02/2017
BLACK SOUP
I thought I should try it out and ehmmmm I fell head over heels in Love with the soup.
Most certainly the most popular Edo food, the Black soup, locally referred to as Omoebe soup, is a tasty meal made from a
combination of local herbs and spices. The name comes from the colour of the soup, as
the vegetables used – Bitter leaf and Effirin(Scent Leaf) – when grounded gives off a very dark color.The Black soup is as nutritious as it is tasty. The herbs used are quite therapeutic and it is a good option for those on a diet as it can help reduce calories. Black soup is easy to make and best prepared at home, and It is best served with Pounded Yam, Eba or starch.If you are visiting Edo state and you want to have a taste of this local delicacy, you will find it in the menu of most restaurant in Edo state,especially Benin City
Ingredients.
• 1 fresh fish (i used mackerel aka titus) • 6 pieces beef
• 1 medium size smoked Fish
• 4 pieces pomo
• 1 cup periwinkle
• 1 cooking spoon ground crayfis
• 2 cups banga juice (palm fruit extract ) or palm oil 12 shrimps
• 1 medium bunch scent leaves
• 1 handful washed bitter leaves
• 1 medium bunch uziza leaves 1 medium bunch ugwu (optional)
• 2 seasoning cubes• salt to taste
Directions:::
Step 1: The first step is to prepare the leaves. To prepare the already hand washed bitter leaves for extra precaution, it's best to par-boil for about 10 minutes before re-washing with clean water just like it's done when preparing bitter leaf soup. While doing this, make sure the pot is left uncovered otherwise it'lld bubble out.
Once you're done boiling, strain with a sieve and rinse severally with cold water.Squeeze off excess water - Set Aside.
Soak the scent leaves and uziza leaves leaves in salt water for 5 mins and rinse with clean water. Add a little water just to make
the blades of the blender move and grind. Set
this aside.
Step 2: Place the beef and pomo in a small pot, add the seasoning cubes and salt to taste. Cook for about 20 minutes till tender and the liquid in the pot reduces.
Step 3: Add the washed smoked fish and fresh fish, banga juice, blended pepper, crayfish, shrimps, washed periwinkles and leave to cook further for about 10 minutes.
Gently pour in the blended vegetables, stir and cook for another 10-12 minutes before turning off the burner. Serve with your favorite form of swallow.