Nigerian Egusi Soup with Spinach and Melon Seeds

Name: Nigerian Egusi Soup with Spinach and Melon Seeds
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 2 cups egusi (melon seeds); 1/2 cup water; 500g beef; 200g assorted meats; 1 medium onion; 2 cups beef stock; 500g fresh spinach; 1 large red bell pepper; 1 green chili; 1/4 cup palm oil; Salt; 1 teaspoon ground crayfish; 2 bouillon cubes

A traditional West African soup with rich textures and flavors.

This hearty Nigerian soup combines ground melon seeds with spinach for a savory, satisfying dish that's enjoyed with various sides.

1 h 30 min
6
Intermediate

Ingredients

Egusi Paste

2 cups egusi (melon seeds)

ground

1/2 cup water

Soup Base

500g beef

cut into bite-sized pieces

200g assorted meats

tripe and cow skin, cleaned and chopped

1 medium onion

chopped

2 cups beef stock

Vegetables

500g fresh spinach

washed and chopped

1 large red bell pepper

chopped

1 green chili

chopped

Additional Ingredients

1/4 cup palm oil

Salt

to taste

1 teaspoon ground crayfish

2 bouillon cubes

Preparation

Marinating the Meat

Season Meat

Season the beef and assorted meats with salt and bouillon cubes.

Rest

Allow to rest while preparing other ingredients.

Sauté Onion

Sauté the onion in palm oil until translucent for depth of flavor.

Ensure the palm oil is well-heated to prevent a greasy soup.

Preparing the Egusi Paste

Mix Egusi Paste

Mix ground egusi with water to form a thick paste.

Portion Paste

Divide into small portions for easy incorporation.

Optional Roasting

Roast portions briefly for nuttiness if desired.

Finely grind the melon seeds for a smoother paste.

Cooking Process

Searing the Meat

Brown the seasoned meats in a large pot for added richness.

Building the Base

Add beef stock, bring to a simmer, and simmer until meat is tender.

Incorporating the Egusi

Stir in the egusi paste in small batches to prevent clumping.

Plating & Serving