Okro soup

Here’s a traditional recipe for Okro Soup, a popular West African dish known for its delicious and hearty flavor:

Okro Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 lb (450 g) beef or goat meat (cut into cubes)
• 1/2 lb (225 g) stockfish (soaked and softened)
• 1/2 lb (225 g) dried shrimp (optional)
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 2-3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger (minced)
• 4 cups beef or chicken stock
• 2 tbsp palm oil (or substitute with vegetable oil)
• 1 cup okra (finely chopped or sliced)
• 2-3 fresh tomatoes (blended or chopped)
• 2-3 Scotch bonnet peppers or habanero peppers (blended or chopped, adjust to taste)
• 1 tbsp ground crayfish (optional)
• 1-2 tbsp ground locust beans (iru) (optional)
• Salt and seasoning cubes (to taste)
• 1-2 tbsp ground egusi seeds (optional, for thickening)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Meat:
   • In a large pot, add the cubed beef or goat meat, stockfish, and dried shrimp (if using).
   • Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and ginger. Season with salt and seasoning cubes.
   • Pour in enough beef or chicken stock to cover the meat. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 30-45 minutes, or until the meat is tender.
2. Prepare the Soup Base:
   • While the meat is cooking, blend the tomatoes and Scotch bonnet peppers into a smooth paste.
   • In a separate pot, heat the palm oil over medium heat. Add the blended tomato and pepper mixture and cook for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the oil starts to float on top.
3. Combine Ingredients:
   • Once the meat is tender, add the cooked tomato and pepper mixture to the pot with the meat.
   • Stir in the chopped okra and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes. The okra should be tender and slightly slimy, which is characteristic of okro soup.
4. Add Optional Ingredients:
   • If using, stir in the ground crayfish and ground locust beans (iru) for added flavor.
   • For a thicker consistency, you can also stir in ground egusi seeds at this point.
5. Adjust Seasoning:
   • Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with salt or additional seasoning cubes as needed.
6. Serve:
   • Serve the Okro Soup hot with your choice of fufu, pounded yam, eba, or rice.

Enjoy your hearty and flavorful Okro Soup!