"Ofe Akwu" (Igbo Version Of Banga Soup) In Five Easy Steps

by **Adminkunlex** Sun Jun 28, 2020 6:29 am

Ofe akwu is the Igbo version of the famous Banga soup. Its base is juicy palm fruit extract and it is served mainly with rice. I think Deltans take theirs with starch and other swallows.
Ofe akwu is actually VERY easy to prepare, way easier than tomatoes stew sef.
I have seen people use tomatoes for this, I don’t know where they learned that from. You don’t put tomatoes in your ofe akwu PLEASE.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED;
1- Mortar (I had to include this because you need it to pound your palm fruit)
2- Assorted meat (I used chicken, cow leg and beef). The protein is strictly your choice.
3- Stock fish
4- Dry fish
5- 1 big cup of palm fruit
6- Ground crayfish/prawn
7- Nchanwu (scent leaf)
8- Okpei (optional)
9- Yellow/red pepper
Pictures attached;
Pic 1: Mortar
Pic 2: Tray of ingredients (the okpei is inside that paper wrap)
Pic 3: Nchanwu
Pic 4: Seasoned meat ready for cooking.

NOW TO THE COOKING
STEP 1;
Wash and boil your palm fruit. When it is done, pound and extract the juice with warm water. IT SHOULD BE “SEMI-THICK”. Keep aside.
Image
STEP 2; Start cooking your meat and season well. The tough ones first. I cooked my cow leg with a pressure cooker previously and stored some. So, I didn’t have to go through that process again (Bless Heavens!!).
When your meat is almost done, add your dry fish and stock fish.
STEP 3; While your STEP2 is cooking, blend a little of your ogiri with fresh pepper and a little
crayfish. Pour the paste into your pot of meat and allow it to cook again.
STEP 4; When the meat is done, set a bigger pot on fire with the palm fruit extract in it. Pour your stock into it, without the meat.
P.S— Some people boil the stock and palm fruit extract together the meat. This works too.
Now allow it to boil. You will begin to see oil floating on top. Add the meat and fish.
If it is too thick, you can add a little water. If it is watery, allow it to boil more.
STEP 5; Allow to simmer, check for seasoning, put your nchanwu, stir and turn your heat off.
After some minutes, you will see the oil floating Imageon top.
https://www.nairaland.com/5953495/ofe-akwu-igbo-version-banga