Oil palm or Banga soup is a special delicacy of the southerners of Nigeria. It is a delicacy of the people of South-south and South-east Nigeria. The oil palm fruit is the main ingredient in preparing this sumptuous delicacy. The palm tree is one crop that has all its parts useful. The oil palm fruit goes through series of process to make the palm oil commonly used in preparing Nigerian delicacies. The oil palm soup is one rich and tasty soup you won’t desist from after trying it out.
INGREDIENTS
The ingredients for preparing Banga soup includes; Oil palm fruit, pumpkin leaf (optional), scent leaf, fresh fish, beef, onion, stock cubes, pepper and salt.
BEFORE PREPARATION
Wash the palm fruit thoroughly in a bowl of water. Boil the palm fruit in a pot of water. Wash the mortar and pestle to be used for removing the palm fruit’s flesh through pounding. When the boiled palm fruit is done, pound in the mortar with a pestle till each fruits flesh is been removed. Wash off the oil from the palm kernel into a bowl. Filter the fibers and particles from the oil gotten from the fruit. Set aside the contents. Parboil the fresh fish and also the beef with seasoning cubes, onions and a pinch of salt. The pumpkin leaves should be washed thoroughly and then cut into smaller sizes. Also rinse the scent leaf and set aside too in a bowl.
COOKING DIRECTION
Set fire on a stove and cook the oily water on a medium heat. The stock from the beef can also be poured with the content and cooked. There will be palm oil on the surface of the pot. Add chili pepper/grind pepper, seasoning cube, and salt. Allow cooking for about 10 minutes. Introduce the pumpkin leaves and scent leaves if you desire them. Allow to cook for some minutes, stir and taste. Add the cooked fish and beef and cook for more minutes. Make sure the Banga soup is not watery. Allow the soup to simmer for about 2-3 minutes. Thereafter, it is ready and can be served.
Banga soup can be served with rice, or any swallow of your choice (pounded yam, eba, fufu, semo or wheat). The soup has the taste of the palm fruit when eating. The addition of the ingredients makes it a delicious soup. Try and this soup and thank me later.
