FOOD & NUTRITION: Master the Art of Preparing Delicious and Nutritious Bitter-leaf Soup

Assignment presented by:

Gambo Joy

Ahmadu Bello University Zaria,
Department of mass communication.
Registration number: U19MM2008

Nigerian Bitter Leaf Soup is a traditional delicacy that has been around for generations. This soup recipe is one of the most popular dishes in Nigeria and its neighbouring countries.It is known for its unique bitter flavour, created by adding blended cocoyam, bitter leaf leaves and with other ingredients.

This recipe provides a step-by-step guide to creating this delicious dish at home. With the right mix of spices, you can experience authentic Nigerian Bitter leaf Soup made from scratch in your own kitchen.

Bitter leaf soup is a regional symbol of Igbo cuisine for the Anambra people of Eastern Nigeria. It is a representation of who they are. Ofe Owerri is a traditional dish enjoyed by the people of Owerri, Imo State. It has become an integral part of their culture and is considered a delicacy. But what of the Anambra people? What dish or cuisine defines them? This article will explore a particular dish or cuisine that is to the Anambra person what Ofe Owerri is to the Owerri person.

Bitter leaf Soup is a hearty meal that packs a punch of flavor in every bite. If you haven’t had the pleasure of experiencing its unique taste, it is time to give it a try. With our step-by-step guide, you can easily make this delicious soup in your own kitchen.

The ingredients are simple yet the end result is an incredibly tasty dish that will leave your taste buds begging for more!For your perfect bitter leaf Soup recipe, You need the above listed ingredients;
Bitter leaf, 10 , small corms cocoyam, 3 cooking spoons Red Palm Oil, Assorted Beef: Includes best cut, Assorted fish, Dry fish and stock fish.Onion (optional), Pepper, salt, and ground crayfish (to taste), 3 stock cubes, 1 teaspoon Ogiri Igbo (traditional seasoning).

Here are the step by step guide on how to cook bitter leaf Soup or how to cook onugbu soup (Ofe onugbu) at home in less time.

— It is very important to wash bitter leaves properly so they are absolutely free from bitterness. If not, wash and squeeze them more. If the bitterness cannot be washed away (which is usually the case with the bitter leaves sold in stores), boil it for about 15 minutes and wash it in cold water.

— Wash and cook the cocoyam till soft. Remove the peels and use a mortar and pestle to pound the corms (if you have boiled ede, wash and pound) to a smooth paste. Add a little bit of oil and stir very well.

— Wash the shaki very well with warm water and salt. Put the shaki in your cooking pot.

— Wash the beef and add it to the pot of the shaki. Add your washed stockfish, dry fish, assorted, and any other meat you are using to cook this meal.

— Season with pepper, seasoning cubes, salt and ground crayfish. Stir, cover it and allow it to heat up. After some minutes, put your chopped onion, cover and cook for 4 mins. Now add water, stir, check if the soup is asking for more season then, adjust if necessary.

— Add the ground crayfish, pepper, bitter leaves (if they just have not been parboiled), and the cocoyam paste (in small lumps) and cook for 10 minutes.

— Then add the palm oil Note: If the bitter leaves were parboiled in order to remove the bitterness, then for step 3 add the ground crayfish, pepper, the cocoyam paste (in small lumps), and the bitter leaves.

— Now, make all the components of this dish at this stage. Cover the pot and leave to cook on high till all the cocoyam lumps have dissolved.

— You can add more water, if necessary, to get the soup to the right consistency. Add salt to taste and the soup is ready.

Bitter leaf soup is a Nigerian dish made with the leaves of Vernonia amygdalina, a plant found in many parts of Africa. The soup has numerous health benefits, including:

1. Boosting the immune system – The high levels of vitamin C in bitter leaf soup help to boost the immune system and fight off infection.

2. Reducing inflammation – The bitter compounds in the leaves help to reduce inflammation throughout the body, which can help to alleviate conditions such as arthritis and asthma.

3. Supporting cardiovascular health – The antioxidants present in bitter leaf soup help to protect against damage to the heart and blood vessels, reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.