Ogbono Soup is one of the indigenous foods of the Igbo. We enjoy it with akpu (pounded fermented cassava) or pounded yam. Some people like it plain, with no added vegetables while others would like to add vegetables Ugu (pumpkin leave) or olugbo (bitter leave). Some modern varieties add spinach (as vegetable), Egwusi or Okra.

Ogbono Soup recipe

1. Assorted Meat and Fish: Beef, Shaki (cow tripe), Dry Fish, Stockfish.
2. 2 handfuls Ogbono Seeds.
3. 3 cooking spoons red palm oil.
4. Vegetable: Frozen Spinach (you can also use Pumpkin leaves or even Bitterleaf)
5. 1 handful crayfish.
6. Pepper and Salt (To taste)
7. 1 medium onion.
8. 2 stock cubes (Maggi/Knorr)

Before cooking Ogbono Soup

1. Grind the Ogbono with a dry mill.
2. Cut the vegetable
3. Cook the assorted meat with the stock cubes and onion. If you will use Shaki will be used start cooking and later add beef when almost done.
4. Grind crayfish and pepper.
5. Boil some water and set aside.

Cooking Directions for Ogbono Soup

1. Pour the palm oil into a clean pot. Set on the stove and melt the oil at low heat (don’t allow to hit up).
2. Once melted, turn off the heat and add the ground Ogbono.
3. Use your cooking spoon to dissolve the Ogbono in the oil.
4. When all the Ogbono powder has completely mixed with the oil, add the meat/fish stock (water from cooking the assorted meat and fish).
5. Set the heat of your cooker to low and start stirring to allow the Ogbono to thicken and draw.
6. Keep stirring till the Ogbono has completely absorbed the meat stock.
7. Add a small quantity of the hot water and stir till the Ogbono has absorbed all the water. Repeat this process till you obtain a consistency.
8. Making sure that your heat is set to low, cover the pot and start cooking. Once it starts to simmer, open the pot and stir every 2-3 minutes for about 20mins. Stir well, scraping the Ogbono that sticks to the base of the pot, cover the pot and cook for another 3 minutes.
9. After 20 minutes, the Ogbono should be well cooked and you will begin to perceive its nice flavour and aroma.
10. Add the assorted meat and fish, ground crayfish, salt and pepper to taste. The Ogbono may have become thicker from the cooking. If so, add a little bit more water and stir very well. Cover and cook till the contents of the pot is well heated up.
11. If you prefer your Ogbono Soup without vegetables, turn off the heat and serve otherwise add vegetable and turn off the heat. Leave to stand for about 5 minutes and serve with pounded yam or akpu.

Contributor: VC

Categories: Indigenous Food.

Tags: Ogbono soup