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Banga Soup

Courses
Difficulty Intermediate
Time
Prep Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 30 mins Rest Time: 20 mins Total Time: 1 hr 20 mins
Description

Banga Soup, also known as Ofe Akwu, is a traditional Nigerian soup made from palm fruit extract. It's a rich and flavorful dish often enjoyed with various fufu recipes like starch, pounded yam, semolina, garri, or cassava fufu. The soup is known for its unique taste and aroma, making it a favorite in the Niger Delta region.

Ingredients
  • 1 kg ⦁ palm fruits (or 800g tinned palm fruit concentrate)
  • 1 kg ⦁ beef (cut into pieces)
  • 1 medium-sized ⦁ dry fish (or smoked fish)
  • 2 medium ⦁ onions (sliced)
  • 2 tablespoons ⦁ ground crayfish
  • ⦁ Salt and chili pepper (to taste)
  • 1 big ⦁ 1-2 stock cubes
  • 1 cup ⦁ fresh prawns (optional)
  • 1 cup ⦁ shelled periwinkles (optional)
  • 1 cup ⦁ scent leaves (or dried and crushed bitter leaves)
  • 1 teaspoon ⦁ Ataiko (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon ⦁ Irugege (optional)
  • ⦁ Oburunbebe stick (optional)
Instructions
  1. Extract the Palm Fruit Juice:
  2. ⦁ If using fresh palm fruits, boil them for about 20 minutes, then pound with a mortar and pestle to extract the juice. Strain the juice to remove any impurities. If using tinned palm fruit concentrate, open the tin and set aside.
  3. Cook the Meat:
  4. ⦁ Wash the beef pieces and place them in a pot. Add one sliced onion, stock cubes, and enough water to cover the meat. Cook until the meat is tender and the water is almost dried. Remove the meat from the pot and set aside.
  5. Prepare the Dry Fish:
  6. ⦁ Wash the dry fish and soak it in hot water to remove any impurities. Remove the center bones and set aside.
  7. Cook the Soup:
  8. ⦁ Pour the palm fruit juice into a pot and bring to a boil. Add the cooked meat, dry fish, remaining sliced onion, ground crayfish, and seasoning powder. Stir well to combine.
  9. Add the Vegetables:
  10. ⦁ Add the fresh prawns, periwinkles, and scent leaves (or bitter leaves) to the pot. Stir and cook for another 10 minutes.
  11. Season and Serve:
  12. ⦁ Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with salt and chili pepper if needed. Serve hot with your choice of fufu, such as starch, pounded yam, semolina, garri, or cassava fufu.
Read it online: https://duabaafrofoods.co.uk/recipe/banga-soup/
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