Ingredients:
- 1 cup of ground egusi (melon) seeds
- 500g of assorted meat (beef, goat meat, or chicken)
- 1 cup of assorted seafood (optional)
- 2 cups of chopped vegetables (spinach, kale, or bitter leaves)
- 1 medium-sized onion, chopped
- 2-3 tablespoons of palm oil
- 2-3 tablespoons of ground crayfish
- 2-3 tablespoons of ground pepper (scotch bonnet or habanero)
- 2-3 seasoning cubes
- Salt to taste
- 2 cups of beef or chicken stock
- 1 cup of water (adjust as needed)
Instructions:
1. Heat the palm oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add the chopped onions and sauté until translucent.
3. Add the assorted meats and seafood (if using) to the pot. Cook until browned on all sides.
4. Add the beef or chicken stock to the pot and bring to a gentle boil.
5. In a separate bowl, mix the ground egusi with a little water to form a smooth paste. Add the egusi paste to the pot gradually, stirring continuously to prevent lumps.
6. Add the ground crayfish, ground pepper, and seasoning cubes to the pot. Stir well to combine.
7. Allow the soup to simmer for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
8. Add the chopped vegetables to the pot and continue to cook for an additional 5-10 minutes, until the vegetables are tender.
9. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with salt if necessary.
10. Once everything is well cooked and the flavors have melded together, remove from heat.
11. Serve hot with your choice of swallow (e.g., pounded yam, fufu, or eba) or rice.
Enjoy your flavorful Egusi soup!
