Fresh fish and other seafood are used as the protein source in Nigerian Fisherman soup.
It is a native to the people of Nigeria’s Akwa-Ibom and Cross River states and is known by the Efik name Efere Ndek Iyak. They have an abundance of seafood since rivers run through their cities and villages.
In preparing this soup, you can use a combination of whatever you have access to, from crab to lobsters to large prawns, the options are endless. Make it your own; the only rule is that you make it fresh.
Normally, the fish is from a river, although any fresh fish will do. Use as much pepper as you can handle; seafood soups and stews from Nigeria typically contain some heat (pepper). Okro is optional; in fact, some individuals like their Fisherman’s Soup without any sort of sliminess and some like a little Okro in it. So you just have to go with what works for you.
INGRIDIENTS
Fresh catfish
Prawn or shrimp
Periwinkle
Dryfish
Stock fish cooked
Cameroun pepper
Ground Scotch bonnet (Fresh Pepper)
Onion
Ground Uziza seed
Ground Crayfish
Palmoil
Seasoning cubes
Salt
Pounded Yam
Uziza leaves, shredded
2 whole Okro (optional)
COOKING DIRECTONS
Wash the fresh catfish, cut and set aside. Clean snails and prawns.
Boil and pound yam.
Place fish, snail, dry fish and stockfish in a pot, season with salt and 1 seasoning cube.
Add Onion, scotch bonnet, Cameroun pepper, a little scotch bonnet, ground uziza seed and 2 cups of water.
Cover, bring to a boil and cook on low heat for 5 minutes.
Remove the fish, set aside.
Increase the heat and continue cooking the snail, add crayfish, seasoning cubes, and some water.
Bring to a boil, add Palm oil and lumps of pounded yam.
Cook until thickened and the soup has a uniform colour. (If there are still lumps of pounded yam at this stage, scoop them out, it delicious to eat).
Gently put the fish back, add prawn, periwinkle and okro. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
Add shredded Uziza leaf, cook for another 2 minutes and take off the heat.
Fisherman Soup is ready. It can be served with Pounded yam or any swallow of your choice.
