{"id":"egusi_soup_4b064991a0","slug":"egusi-soup","title":"Egusi Soup","description":"A rich, savory, and nutty West African classic made from ground melon seeds, hearty leafy greens, and a flavorful blend of palm oil and spices.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":40,"totalMinutes":60,"activeMinutes":30},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"1 1/2 cups ground melon seeds (Egusi)","name":"Melon seeds","quantity":200,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1 1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"ground","notes":"Egusi seeds","group":"base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"1/2 cup palm oil","name":"Palm Oil","quantity":120,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"Red palm oil","group":"base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"1 lb beef, cut into cubes","name":"Beef","quantity":454,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"lb","form":"cubed","notes":"Can also include tripe or cow skin","group":"protein","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"100g stock fish or smoked fish","name":"Smoked Fish","quantity":100,"unit":"g","usQuantity":3.5,"usUnit":"oz","form":"dried","notes":"Soaked and cleaned","group":"protein","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"300g fresh spinach, chopped","name":"Spinach","quantity":300,"unit":"g","usQuantity":10.6,"usUnit":"oz","form":"chopped","notes":"fresh","group":"vegetables","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"2 tablespoons ground crayfish","name":"Crayfish","quantity":16,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"ground","notes":"","group":"seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"1 medium onion, diced","name":"Onion","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"diced","notes":"medium","group":"aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"2 Scotch bonnet peppers","name":"Scotch bonnet pepper","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"blended","notes":"Also known as habanero","group":"aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"2 bouillon cubes","name":"Bouillon Cubes","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"crumbled","notes":"beef or vegetable flavor","group":"seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"Salt to taste","name":"Salt","quantity":1,"unit":"pinch","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"pinch","form":"","notes":"to taste","group":"seasoning","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"In a large pot, combine the cubed beef and stock fish with half of the diced onion, bouillon cubes, and a pinch of salt. Add enough water to cover the meat and boil until tender.","group":"Preparation","title":"Combine the cubed beef and stock fish","timerMinutes":30,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"While the meat is cooking, mix the ground melon seeds with a little warm water to form a thick, stiff paste and set aside.","group":"Preparation","title":"Mix the ground melon seeds","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Heat the palm oil in another pot on medium heat for about 1 minute (do not bleach). Add the remaining onions and sauté until translucent.","group":"Cooking","title":"Heat the palm oil","timerMinutes":2,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Add the egusi paste to the oil in small lumps. Fry the paste, stirring gently, for about 5-8 minutes until it begins to look like scrambled eggs.","group":"Cooking","title":"Add the egusi paste","timerMinutes":8,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Slowly add the meat stock from the boiled beef. Stir to combine and allow to simmer for 15 minutes. Add the cooked meat, stock fish, ground crayfish, and blended Scotch bonnet peppers.","group":"Cooking","title":"Slowly add the meat stock from the boiled beef","timerMinutes":15,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Add the chopped spinach. Stir well and simmer for another 5 minutes until the leaves are wilted but still green. Adjust salt if necessary.","group":"Finalizing","title":"Add the chopped spinach","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Finalizing"}],"notes":"Traditional Egusi soup can be made using the 'frying' or 'lumping' method; this recipe uses the frying method for a distinct texture. For a more authentic flavor, use bitter leaf or pumpkin leaves (ugwu) if available.","cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Nigerian","West African"]},"course":["soup","main"],"cookingMethod":["boil","simmer","saute"],"equipment":["Large pot","Mixing bowl","Wooden spoon"],"diet":["high_protein","low_carb"],"allergens":["fish"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":4,"unit":"servings","note":""},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The soup base (before adding vegetables) can be made a day in advance."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat on the stovetop with a splash of water to loosen the soup."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fegusi_soup_4b064991a0%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=643ef686-39c3-4210-92b4-b51762711ba5","imageAlt":"Egusi Soup — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["egusi","african","nigerian","soup","high protein","spicy"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Egusi Soup","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T22:57:18.481Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T22:57:18.481Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_17142e2daf","slug":"asida-traditional-african-porridge","title":"Asida (Traditional African Porridge)","description":"A thick, smooth, cooked flour pudding popular across North and East Africa, typically served with melted butter and honey or date syrup for a comforting breakfast.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":25,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Sudanese","Libyan"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_17142e2daf%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=e46cb0f8-07cd-453d-8e07-df1274fe8fc9","imageAlt":"Asida (Traditional African Porridge) — recipe cover","tags":["porridge","traditional","sweet","dough","filling","soft"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":5,"stepCount":5},{"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_e6582a3999","slug":"firfir-ethiopian-breakfast-fit-fit","title":"Firfir (Ethiopian Breakfast Fit-fit)","description":"A classic savory Ethiopian breakfast made with torn pieces of injera soaked in a spicy, flavorful sauce of berbere spice, aromatics, and spiced clarified butter.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Ethiopian","Eritrean"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_e6582a3999%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=f2f625e4-ee9c-425d-8c20-8e0103664b3e","imageAlt":"Firfir (Ethiopian Breakfast Fit-fit) — recipe cover","tags":["firfir","ethiopian","spicy","breakfast","injera","african"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":10,"stepCount":5}]}