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Nigerian Pepper Soup

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A comforting and healing Nigerian pepper soup featuring tender meat and a fragrant blend of traditional spices, perfect for warming the soul and nourishing the body.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds (900g) goat meat, chicken pieces, or fish, cleaned and cut into chunks
  • 2 tablespoons freshly ground pepper soup spices (blend of uda seeds, calabash nutmeg, alligator pepper, and cloves)
  • 2–3 whole fresh Scotch bonnet peppers (adjust to taste)
  • 1 large onion, chopped roughly
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1-inch piece ginger, peeled and grated
  • 2 seasoning cubes (Maggi or Knorr recommended)
  • Salt to taste
  • 6 cups (1.5 liters) water
  • Handful of fresh basil or scent leaves, torn (optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse your choice of meat thoroughly under cold water. If using goat meat or tougher cuts, cut into bite-sized chunks (about 1.5 inches or 4 cm). Set aside. (10 minutes)
  2. Using a mortar and pestle or spice grinder, coarsely grind the pepper soup spices until aromatic. (5 minutes)
  3. In a large pot, add meat, chopped onions, minced garlic, grated ginger, seasoning cubes, and salt. Pour in 6 cups (1.5 liters) of water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to low and cover partially. (10 minutes)
  4. Add whole Scotch bonnet peppers and freshly ground spice blend. Let simmer gently for 30-40 minutes for chicken or fish, or 60-75 minutes for goat meat, until meat is tender and broth is flavorful. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. (30-75 minutes depending on meat)
  5. Taste and adjust salt if needed. Add torn basil or scent leaves during the last 5 minutes of cooking for a fresh herbal lift. Remove whole peppers if you prefer less heat. Serve piping hot. (5 minutes)

Notes

Use freshly ground spices for best flavor. Adjust heat by varying the number of Scotch bonnet peppers. Skim foam or scum during simmering for clearer broth. A pressure cooker can reduce cooking time for tougher meats. For vegetarian version, substitute meat with mushrooms or tofu and use vegetable broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: Nigerian pepper soup, pepper soup recipe, spicy soup, healing soup, traditional Nigerian dish, goat meat soup, chicken pepper soup, African cuisine

Find it online: https://sweetstirring.com/nigerian-pepper-soup-recipe-easy-5-step-guide-to-healing-comfort/