Groundnut soup or peanut soup is a Nigerian delicacy. It has the same preparation as melon (egusi) soup. In fact, it is a great alternative to egusi soup. Groundnut (peeled) is the main ingredient here; it is grinded with a grinder or blender to make the soup. This soup is one you won’t quit in a while after tasting; it has a sweet and rich taste. It is mainly prepared homes.
INGREDIENTS
The list of ingredients includes; raw peeled groundnut, beef, shaki (cow tripe), dry fish, stock fish, palm oil, pumpkin or bitter leaf, ground crayfish, stock cubes, pepper and salt to taste.
BEFORE COOKING
Soak the stock fish and dry fish for an hour. When soft, clean the fish remove the bones and separate them into small pieces. Roast the raw groundnuts in a pan and then grind into powder after it has cool down. Wash and cut the pumpkin or bitter leaf (used to tone down the sweetness of the soup) into small pieces and try to remove excess water.
COOKING DIRECTION
Start the cooking by boiling the shaki (cow tripe) first as it is the toughest meat in the bunch. When the shaki starts to cool, add the dry fish and stock fish. When the shaki is almost done, add beef, and stock cubes and cook till all the meat and fish are well done. Add the crayfish, salt and pepper, then cover and cook till it boils. Put the meat and fish in another pot/container leaving the stock in the pot. Introduce the ground groundnuts and stir very well till there are no lumps. Make sure you reduce the heat to very low and start cooking.
Stir continuously and top up the water if necessary to prevent from burning. Cook for about 15 minutes more when you’ll see a thin film of clear oil appearing on the surface. Add palm oil and stir very well. Re-introduce the set aside beef and fish, stir and cook in low heat till it boils. The soup is ready at this stage for those who don’t want to add vegetable in this soup. Vegetable (pumpkin/bitter leaf) is added for those who want, stir the soup and leave to simmer for few minutes after which it is done.
Groundnut soup can be served with different types of swallow e.g. Fufu, pounded yam, semo, wheat, tuwo, eba, and amala. Try this soup with your choice and thank me later. Bon appetite!
