{"id":"banga_soup_3bb4072b59","slug":"banga-soup","title":"Banga Soup","description":"A rich, nutty, and savory palm nut soup from the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, bursting with traditional spices and assorted proteins.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":45,"totalMinutes":60,"activeMinutes":20},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"800g Canned Palm Fruit Concentrate (Banga Paste)","name":"Palm Fruit Concentrate","quantity":800,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.76,"usUnit":"lb","form":"paste","notes":"Often labeled as Banga Paste","group":"Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"500g Assorted Meats (Beef, Shaki, Tripe)","name":"Beef Tripe","quantity":500,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.1,"usUnit":"lb","form":"cubed","notes":"Can include shaki (tripe) and cow skin","group":"Proteins","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"200g Stockfish, soaked and cleaned","name":"Stockfish","quantity":200,"unit":"g","usQuantity":7,"usUnit":"oz","form":"dried and soaked","notes":"Adds deep umami flavor","group":"Proteins","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"150g Smoked Fish","name":"Fish","quantity":150,"unit":"g","usQuantity":5.3,"usUnit":"oz","form":"cleaned","notes":"Catfish or any oily smoked fish","group":"Proteins","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"2 tablespoons Ground Crayfish","name":"Crayfish","quantity":2,"unit":"tbsp","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"ground","notes":"Dried and powdered","group":"Seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1 tablespoon Banga spice blend (Ataiko and Iregeje)","name":"Banga Spice","quantity":1,"unit":"tbsp","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"ground","notes":"Traditional blend of Ataiko and Iregeje","group":"Seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"1 tablespoon Dried Beletete leaves","name":"Bush Marigold","quantity":1,"unit":"tbsp","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"dried","notes":"Also known as Beletete leaves","group":"Herbs","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"1 large Onion, chopped","name":"Onion","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"chopped","notes":"Red or white","group":"Seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"2 Scotch Bonnet peppers, blended","name":"Scotch bonnet pepper","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"blended","notes":"Adjust to desired heat","group":"Seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"2 Bouillon cubes","name":"Bouillon Cubes","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"cubed","notes":"Beef or fish flavor","group":"Seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-11","original":"Salt to taste","name":"Salt","quantity":1,"unit":"pinch","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"pinch","form":"fine","notes":"to taste","group":"Seasoning","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"In a large pot, place the meat, stockfish, chopped onion, and bouillon cubes. Add a little water and salt to taste. Cook until the meat is tender.","group":"Base Preparation","title":"Place the meat, stockfish, chopped onion, and bouillon cubes","timerMinutes":25,"sourceTitle":"Base Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Dilute the palm fruit concentrate with some warm water (about 1 liter) and add it to a pot. Bring to a boil until the oil starts to separate and the liquid thickens slightly.","group":"Palm Nut Base","title":"Dilute the palm fruit concentrate","timerMinutes":15,"sourceTitle":"Palm Nut Base"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Add the cooked meat, stockfish (with their stock), blended peppers, ground crayfish, and Banga spice. Stir and simmer for another 10-15 minutes.","group":"Combining","title":"Add the cooked meat, stockfish, blended peppers, ground crayfish","timerMinutes":15,"sourceTitle":"Combining"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Add the smoked fish and the dried Beletete leaves. Adjust seasoning with salt if necessary. Let it simmer on low heat for 5 more minutes until the soup is thick and oil is floating on top.","group":"Finishing","title":"Add the smoked fish and the dried Beletete leaves","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"}],"notes":"Traditional Banga soup is best served with Starch or Pounded Yam. Using canned palm fruit concentrate is a common time-saving alternative to extracting oil from fresh palm nuts.","cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Nigerian"]},"course":["soup"],"cookingMethod":["boil","simmer"],"equipment":["pot","blender","wooden spoon"],"diet":["gluten_free","dairy_free","high_protein"],"allergens":["fish","shellfish"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":4,"unit":"bowl","note":"Generous servings"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The soup base can be made a day in advance; the flavors deepen over time."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat on low heat, adding a splash of water if it has thickened too much."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fbanga_soup_3bb4072b59%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=7c4799c3-ff72-4fc8-8076-fc546a0c535d","imageAlt":"Banga Soup — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["delta style","palm nut","savory","traditional","umami"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Banga Soup","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T23:01:10.969Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T23:01:10.969Z","related":[{"id":"ewedu_soup_e41eeb24af","slug":"ewedu-soup","title":"Ewedu Soup","description":"A traditional Nigerian green soup made from jute leaves, known for its viscous (drawy) texture. It is a staple of Yoruba cuisine, typically served with Amala and a side of stew.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Nigerian","Yoruba"]},"course":["soup"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["gluten_free","dairy_free","low_carb","high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fewedu_soup_e41eeb24af%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=80033ba6-a624-4cb7-93f4-6b2e30d37501","imageAlt":"Ewedu Soup — recipe cover","tags":["healthy","slimy","traditional","west african","low calorie"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_7e08e81b95","slug":"vermicelli-soup-shorbat-shariya","title":"Vermicelli Soup (Shorbat Shariya)","description":"A light and comforting African-style soup featuring toasted vermicelli noodles simmered in a fragrant savory broth. Simple, quick, and perfect as a starter.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["North African"]},"course":["soup"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","dairy_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_7e08e81b95%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=5635d06b-0fee-4e14-886a-986f260262e0","imageAlt":"Vermicelli Soup (Shorbat Shariya) — recipe cover","tags":["soup","vermicelli","african","easy","quick","comfort food","light meal"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":8,"stepCount":5},{"id":"pepper_soup_da625ee460","slug":"african-pepper-soup","title":"African Pepper Soup","description":"A fiery, aromatic, and deeply comforting West African broth made with a unique blend of spices and tender meat. Often enjoyed as a light yet revitalizing meal.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":45,"totalMinutes":60,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Nigerian","West African"]},"course":["soup"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["high_protein","gluten_free","dairy_free","low_carb"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fpepper_soup_da625ee460%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=49c825e9-4db5-48f7-9e5b-c2a81636556f","imageAlt":"African Pepper Soup — recipe cover","tags":["pepper soup","spicy","african","broth","high protein","comfort food"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":10,"stepCount":5}]}