How To Cook Bitterleaf Soup [Ofe Onugbo]

How To Cook Bitterleaf Soup [Ofe Onugbo]
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In this article, you will be learning all you need aboutĀ Bitterleaf soup, how to cook Bitterleaf soup, health benefits of Bitterleaf soup, pictures of Bitterleaf soup and more. So relax and pay attention

Bitterleaf is another Nigerian delicacy that will leave you erupting with goodness. Would you like to learn how to cook an appetizing pot of Bitterleaf soup? Well, you’ve come to the right place, this recipe comes straight from the eastern part of Nigeria.

What is Bitterleaf Soup?

Bitterleaf is a healthy sour vegetable grown mostly in the western and southern part of Nigeria, Bitterleaf is mainly planted during the raining season in the rainforest areas. Bitterleaf is used for pharmaceutical purposes for medicines such as anti-helminths, laxative, pain killers and fertility induction pills.

Bitterleaf soup also known as Vernonia amygdalina or Ofe Onugbo by the Igbo cultural group, Efo Ewuro in Yoruba, Shakwa Shuwaka in Hausa andĀ Etidot in Cross River is one of the most scrumptious cuisines in the land. This is one meal that can lift your spirit.

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Although this delicacy is named Bitterleaf soup, it is quite tasty, this makes an awful irony. The yummy taste of Bitterleaf soup has been confirmed by several chef and food blogs and this is one recipe you should try out. Here is how you cook an appetizing pot of Bitterleaf soup.

Health Benefits Of Bitterleaf Soup

Bitterleaf has been used for years by the Chinese, Nigerians, South Africans, and many other nations to treat several illnesses and fever. Bitter leaf has a lot of medicinal values and benefits to human health and lifestyle and works wonders when it comes to treating issues such as dysentery, diarrhea, diabetes, infertility, high blood pressure, and many others.

Bitterleaf Plant has anti-bacterial and antifungal properties that make it a good home remedy to several health issues. It has properties that treat stomach upset, headache, fever, detox the body, fight and prevent cancer and even improves body metabolism.

Bitterleaf soup is rich in iron, fiber, vitamins (niacin, vitamin A, folate, vitamin C and B6), minerals (manganese, zinc, potassium, phosphorus, selenium) and many other micronutrients that grease the body metabolism. Plus the presence of plant compounds and phytochemicals such as andrographolide, sesquiterpenoids, polimetoksiflavon, apigenin, labdane diterpenoid, andragrafin, alkaloids, steroid, tannins, terpenes, and saponins can also found in Bitterleaf.

Ingredients For Bitterleaf Soup

For you to cook an appetizing pot of Bitterleaf soup, you’ll need the following ingredients.
1 handful of washed and squeezed Bitterleaf
1 tablespoon of Ogiri
3 cooking spoon of Palm oil/ red oil (200g)
10 small Cocoyam (400g) or your preferred thickener (Cocoyam flour, Achi, potato flour, corn starch, Garri, cassava flour, yam, etc)
2 dried fish
1 stockfish head
1Ā½kg of Assorted meat Shaki(cow tripe), beef or goat meat are the best meats for Bitterleaf soup, but you can also use Kompo(cow skin), chicken, pork or turkey.
Salt and pepper
2 cooking spoons of grounded Crayfish
4 stock cubes (beef flavor) and you’re all set to go.

How to Cook BitterLeaf [Ofe Onugbo] Soup

If you want to cook Bitterleaf soup, you’ll need to
1. Wash then boil your Cocoyam, when it’s boiled, sieve off the hot water after that, you’ll have to peel off the outer skin then blend/pound and set aside.
2. Wash you Bitterleaf and shrewd them into smaller pieces. Then set aside.
3. Wash the meat and fish, add 2 stock cubes and boil till tender in 3l of water. Then add the palm oil, pepper, Crayfish, Ogiri, and salt. Stir firmly and allow to cook for 10 minutes. The soup should be looking a little watery. It’s okay and perfectly normal.
4. Pour the Cocoyam paste or your preferred thickener. Stir firmly and leave to dissolve and turn to a creamy sauce. By now the soup should be firmer. You can also add some more water if you will prefer your soup to be lighter.
5. Add two more stock cubes then pour the washed Bitterleaf into the pot, stir and leave to simmer for 5 minutes. Your soup is ready to serve, you’ve just prepared an appetizing pot of Bitterleaf soup.

Cooking Time: 45 Mins

Servings: 10

Cooking an appetizing pot of Bitterleaf soup is as easy as that, prepared under 45 minutes and ready for a table of 10. Serve hot with your favorite swallow. Bon Appetite. If you’ve prepared yours, would like to add more or share your Bitterleaf soup recipe, let us know in the comment section below. You can also check out other Cool Bitter Leaf Soup Recipes like Ā How To Cook Bitter Leaf Soup With Palm Fruit, Yoruba Bitter Leaf Soup, How To Cook Bitter Leaf Soup With Egusi,Ā  How To Cook Bitter Leaf Soup With Waterleaf. You should also see Bitter Leaf And Pregnancy, Benefits Of Bitter Leaf, Nigerian Bitter Leaf, Bitterleaf Soup Benefits, Calories In Bitter Leaf Soup before taking it for medicinal purposes.

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