Winter is finally here, and with it, it has brought us a new world of delicacies. Yes, the cuisine in question is soups! Soups are the best comfort humanity has to offer. They can be found in every culture and have thousands of variations. By far, 250 varieties of soup have been gauged, which is grossly underestimated as the actual number could be well over 500.
The love for soups reigns universally. To celebrate this love, we will discuss perhaps the best types of soup originating from Edo state in Nigeria, West Africa: pepper and black soups. Let's get cooking!
Elevate Your Winter Cuisine With Black Soup Spices
Black soup, also referred to as (Edo) Esan soup, is a medicinal and nutritious soup great for your winter creamy soup cravings. Many people prefer it over the regular tomato soup or chicken broth soup. This is because this soup has been linked with a wide variety of health benefits. Let us explore each:
● The nutrients in black soup spice improve fertility in both men and women since it is anti-oxidative in nature.
● These improve your gut health and nutrient absorption.
● The nutrients in the spices of black soup inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
● It improves mental health by lowering the effect of oxidative stress on your brain.
● Black soup is a great remedy for many digestive issues, including ulcers.
● It helps manage cholesterol levels in your blood, improves immune function, and heals liver problems.
● It also contains the amino acids and nutrients required for hormone balancing, tissue repair, and maintenance of kidney function.
● Black soup manages blood sugar levels and is great for diabetic individuals.
● According to studies, the Ugwu leaves used in black soup have been known to increase blood production.
● It is nutrient-rich in iron and folic acid, which are essential for pregnant women.
● Black soup has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Recipe For Black Soup
The ingredients required to make this soup include basil leaves, egusi seeds, spices, crayfish, broth or chicken cubes, palm oil, pre-cooked beef, and salt. Following is a recipe to make it using traditional black soup spices:
● Rinse basil leaves after removing stems.
● Puree basil leaves with egusi seeds in a little water.
● Pour the puree into a pot. Use half a cup of water to rinse it out if needed.
● Bring it to a boil after adding crayfish, broth, palm oil, and black soup spice.
● Let it simmer on medium heat for about five to ten minutes.
● Add in pre-cooked beef.
● Use water for the black soup stock.
● Taste salt and add if needed.
● Cover the boiling pot and cook for around ten minutes until it thickens into a regular soupy consistency.
● In case you end up with a thicker-than-normal consistency, keep adding half a cup of water till you reach your desired thickness.
Warm Up With Pepper Soup Spice
Pepper soup is a flavorful concoction made from a mixture of various meats and vegetables. It is served during celebrations in Nigeria and has been adopted into American homes due to its unique flavors and high-nutrient content. Here are a few health benefits that make it so appetizing:
● Pepper soup spice are packed with vitamin A, iron, potassium, vitamin C, and protein.
● It is also low in fat and calorie intake.
● The spices in pepper soup, including pepper, garlic, and ginger, are notorious for their anti-inflammatory properties.
● The pepper in this soup gives a much-needed boost to your brain, protecting you from diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
● It is great for warming up in the cold weather.
● Pepper soup has also been known to aid in reducing your appetite.
● It is also good for your heart and reduces levels of cholesterol in your blood.
● The nutrient content in pepper soup allows it to be great for rejuvenating skin.
● It is also very fiber-rich due to all the meats and vegetables it uses.
● Due to being rich in fiber, it also aids in digestion and promotes gut health.
● Pepper soup is also very high in anti-oxidant agents that help reduce free radical damage to your body.
● In Nigeria, it is given to women after a natural birth as a healing agent for passive uterine hemorrhages.
● Pepper soup has also been known as a remedy for cough relief.
● The spices also help boost immunity and reduce inflammation.
● Since the pepper soup is fulfilling and low-calorie, it allows you to lose weight.
● Pepper soup also helps you build your muscles since it has a high protein content.
Recipe For Pepper Soup
The ingredients required to make this soup include spices, goat meat, catfish filets, finely chopped onions, crushed ginger, chopped garlic, stock or chicken cubes, and salt. Following is a recipe to make pepper soup:
● Boil goat meat and catfish in a pot with the water filled enough to cover it all up.
● Add the pepper soup spice for flavor, along with chopped onions, garlic, and ginger.
● Add stock or chicken cubes to the pot.
● Taste for salt and add if needed.
● Let it boil for a few minutes, then reduce the flame to let it simmer for thirty minutes.
● When the meat has softened and cooked through, turn it off.
Conclusion
Black soup and pepper soup are both staples of African culture and tradition. These soups are not only loved in the corners of Nigeria but have been adopted in Western society. This adoption is a direct result of their delicious flavor profile and abundant nutrient content.
They are delectably abundant in vitamins, minerals, and proteins while also being low in calories and fat. Additionally, they have anti-oxidant, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, a complete win-win situation all around!
Both soups are very easy to make, especially if you have all the necessary ingredients, including black soup and pepper soup spice. The best way to enjoy these soups is with your loved ones on a cold night. So put your apron on and prepare for a Nigerian-style feast of the century. Happy Winter!
