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BAESHA

Spinach Soup

Spinach Soup

Nigerian Spinach Stew (Efo Riro)

Efo Riro is a delicious Nigerian spinach stew made with a rich base of peppers, tomatoes, and onions, often paired with meats and dried fish. It’s a popular dish among the Yoruba people and is traditionally served with rice, yam, or swallow foods like pounded yam or eba.

Ingredients

Protein:

500g beef or goat meat, washed and cut into pieces

1 cup smoked fish or stockfish, cleaned and deboned

1 cup assorted meat (optional: tripe, cow skin, or offal)

1/2 cup crayfish (ground)

2 medium-sized stock cubes

Salt, to taste

 

Vegetables:

500g fresh spinach or ugwu (pumpkin leaves), washed and chopped

2 medium onions (1 chopped, 1 blended)

2-3 fresh Scotch bonnet peppers (or to taste)

4 medium fresh tomatoes

2 large red bell peppers (tatashe)

 

Other Ingredients:

1/4 cup palm oil

1 tsp ground pepper (optional)

1/2 tsp locust beans (iru)

Water, as needed

 

Instructions

1. Prepare the Meat:

Season the beef and assorted meats with salt, stock cubes, and half of the chopped onions.

Add a small amount of water and cook until tender. Reserve the stock.

2. Prepare the Pepper Mix:

Blend the fresh tomatoes, bell peppers, Scotch bonnet peppers, and the remaining onion into a smooth paste.

3. Cook the Pepper Sauce:

Heat the palm oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the remaining chopped onions and sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.

Stir in the blended pepper mix and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the oil floats to the top.

4. Add Seasoning and Protein:

Stir in the locust beans (iru), ground crayfish, and ground pepper (if using).

Add the cooked meat, smoked fish, and the reserved stock. Mix well and let simmer for another 10 minutes.

5. Add the Spinach:

Stir in the chopped spinach or ugwu leaves. Reduce the heat and let the spinach cook for 3-5 minutes until wilted but still vibrant green.

Adjust seasoning with salt and stock cubes as needed.

6. Serve:

Serve your Efo Riro hot with rice, boiled yam, or swallow foods like pounded yam, amala, or eba.

 

Tips:

If using frozen spinach, thaw it first and squeeze out excess water to avoid diluting the stew.

Add smoked or dried prawns for a deeper, traditional flavor.

For a richer taste, allow the pepper sauce to cook thoroughly before adding the meat and vegetables.

 

Enjoy your delicious Efo Riro, a soulful and nutritious Nigerian spinach stew!

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