Bitter leaf soup ( Anambra style ofe onugbu )
Bitter leaf soup, also known as Ofe Onugbu in Anambra State, Nigeria, is a delicious traditional soup made with bitter leaves (Onugbu in Igbo language). This soup is rich in flavor and often enjoyed with fufu or rice.
Ingredients
- Washed bitter leaf
- Goat meat
- Cow skin
- Stock fish head
- Snail optional
- Dry fish
- Crayfish
- Cocoyam
- Palm oil
- Seasoning
- Cameroon pepper
- Salt
- Ogiri isi
Instructions
Prepare Bitter Leaf:
- Pluck the bitter leaf from the stalk.
- Let it wilt for about an hour or two.
- Wash the leaves multiple times until the water runs clear.
- Boil the washed leaves in water for a few minutes to reduce bitterness. The longer you boil, the less bitter it becomes (5-6 minutes recommended).
- Drain and cool the leaves with cold water. Wash them 2-3 more times to remove remaining bitterness.
Cook Cocoyam:
- Peel and cook the cocoyam until a knife can easily pierce through.
- Blend the cooked cocoyam or pound it while still warm until smooth.
Cook Protein:
- In a pot, add cleaned goat meat and okporoko head.
- Add seasoning, salt, and Cameroon pepper.
- Stir well, cover, and let it steam for the first 15 minutes without adding water.
- After 15 minutes, stir and add water. Continue to cook for another 20 minutes.
Prepare Snails and Fish (Optional):
- Add washed snails and well-soaked, washed stock fish head and dry fish to the pot.
- Add more seasoning and water. Cook for another 10 minutes.
Combine Ingredients:
- Add enough water to the pot for the soup.
- Gradually add the blended cocoyam to thicken the soup.
- Add ground crayfish, more Cameroon pepper (to taste), and palm oil.
- Cover and let it boil for another 7 minutes on medium-high heat.
Final Steps:
- Add the prepared bitter leaf to the soup.
- Let it simmer for a few more minutes.
- Stir to combine all ingredients.
- Adjust seasoning and salt if needed.
Serve:
- Best served with pounded yam, fufu, or eba.
- Prepare pounded yam by boiling water, adding yam flour, and stirring until it thickens. Let it cook for another 10 minutes with a bit of hot water, then stir well.
- Enjoy your rich bitter leaf soup!
Video
Please When do i add the cocoyam. It was not mentioned