BITTER LEAF a.k.a. black soup

BITTER LEAF a.k.a. (BLACK) SOUP

ORIGIN: Edo speaking people of Nigeria
LOCATION: Edo state is located in the south-south zone of Nigeria. There are two major tribes in the state namely,Bini and Esan (Ishan). The tribes in minority include, Owan, Afemai and the Akoko- Edos. These minorities are comprised of several dialects just like those in the majority.
The people boast of a variety of traditional cookings and simple recipes that are as varied as their cultural backgrounds.
As you follow this site, you shall be treated to several sumptiouc dishes that prove that the state is truely the HEART BEAT of Nigerian cooking.
The soup treated below is just one of thetraditional innovations introduced into the art of preparing vegetable soups in the home state. Happy reading and cooking.



INGREDIENTS:
Bitter leaf – Blend to a smooth paste
Pumpkin leaf – Blend to a smooth paste
Fresh Palm fruits – Boil, Marsh, dilute with water and drain till chaff is clean
Fresh pepper – Blended
Onions – blended
Cray fish – grinded
Fresh fish of choice (Croaker, Porpoise, Cat fish, Mackerel etc)
Beef - Boiled - Qty desired
Pomo (Cow skin) – Boiled – Qty desired
Stock fish – Boiled - Qty desired
Seasoning cubes
Salt to taste
Palm Oil - optional


PROCESSING
1. Wash bitter leaf in sufficient water and drain to remove bitter taste
Note: Not completely, so as to retain a little tinge of bitters.
- Blend to a smooth paste
2. Rinse Pumpkin leaf normally without squeezing out the nutritional content.
- Blend to a smooth paste
3. Boil palm fruits for 25mins or till tender and drain off the boiling water.
- Marsh fruits and dilute with 1litre of  water and drain the sauce.
- Repeat as desired until chaff is clean be careful not use more than 2litres.
Note: Descretion is needed here as the quantity of fruits determines the volume of water required.


METHOD
1. Heat palm fruit sauce for about 20mins or until slightly thickened.
2. Add beef, Pomo, stock fish and the fresh fish to boil for 2mins.
3. Add the Cray fish, the bitter leaf paste, cook for 6mins and add pumpkin leaf paste and stir.
4. Add Palm Oil if desired and cook for 5mins
5. Add seasoning cubes and salt to taste, stir and cook for 2mins
6. Congrats, you’re ready to go.
INVITATION TO TRY IT
You’ve got to try it but if you’re not presently resident in Nigeria, it’s time to plan a visit or better still apply for a permanent residence to Nigeria. This will enable you take advantage of abundant opportunities that abound for study, business, investment and tourism potentials.


You’re welcome.