Ogbono soup, also known as draw soup, is a popular Nigerian delicacy prepared with lots of proteins. It is made from the seeds of Ogbono fruit.
Some prefer their ogbono soup plain, without additional vegetables, while others won’t eat it unless it contains some sort of vegetable. Some prefer to include okro in their ogbono soup. Some go so far as to add Egusi to it.
COOKING INGRIDIENTS
Assorted meat
Grinded ogbono
Stockfish
Dried catfish
Crayfish (ground)
Pumpkin leaves (Ugwu)
Palm oil
Onion
Seasoning cubes
Salt and pepper to taste
COOKING DIRECTIONS
Cook the assorted meat with the stock cubes and onion. If you will use Shaki, remember to start cooking that first, then add beef when almost done.
Grind crayfish and pepper.
Boil some water and set aside.
Pour the palm oil into a clean dry stainless steel or aluminium pot. Set on the stove and melt the oil at low heat.
Once melted, turn off the heat and add the ground Ogbono. Use your cooking spoon to dissolve the Ogbono in the oil.
When all the Ogbono powder has completely mixed with the oil, add the meat/fish stock.
Set the heat of your cooker to low and start stirring. You will notice the Ogbono start to thicken and draw.
Keep stirring till the Ogbono has completely absorbed the meat stock.
Add a small quantity of the hot water and stir till the Ogbono has absorbed all the water. Repeat this process till you get a consistency.
Make sure that your heat is set to low, cover the pot and start cooking. Once it starts to simmer, stir every 2-3 minutes for 20 minutes.
Every 3 minutes or so, open the pot, stir every well, scraping the Ogbono that sticks to the base of the pot, cover the pot and cook for another 3 minutes.
After 20 minutes, the Ogbono should be well cooked and you will begin to perceive its nice flavour and aroma.
Add the assorted meat and fish, ground crayfish, stock fish, dried catfish, seasoning cubes, salt and pepper to taste.
The Ogbono may have become thicker from the cooking. If so, add a little bit more water and stir very well.
Cover and cook till the contents of the pot is well heated up.
If you prefer your Ogbono Soup without vegetables, turn off the heat and serve but if you like to add a vegetable then keep cooking.
When the contents of the pot have heated up, add the vegetable, Stir very well, cover the pot and turn off the heat.
Leave to cool for about 5 minutes and serve with any swallow of your choice.
