Scent leaf soup, also known as “Nchuanwu” soup in Nigeria, is a delicious and aromatic soup made with scent leaves and other ingredients. Here’s a simple recipe to prepare scent leaf soup:
Ingredients:
- Scent Leaves: 2 cups, washed and chopped
- Assorted Meat: Beef, chicken, or any other meat of your choice, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Fish: Fresh or smoked fish, cleaned and deboned
- Crayfish: 2-3 tablespoons, ground
- Pepper: Fresh or ground pepper to taste
- Onions: 1 medium-sized onion, chopped
- Palm Oil: 1/2 cup
- Stockfish and Dry Fish: Optional, but adds flavor
- Seasoning Cubes: 2-3 cubes
- Salt: To taste
- Vegetables: Optional (e.g., spinach, ugu leaves, etc.)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Meat and Fish: a. Season the assorted meats with seasoning cubes, onions, and salt. Cook until tender. b. If using stockfish and dry fish, soak them in hot water to soften. Clean and debone the fish.
- Prepare the Scent Leaf: a. Wash the scent leaves thoroughly and chop them finely. Set aside.
- Prepare the Pepper Base: a. Blend or grind the crayfish and pepper to a smooth paste.
- Cooking the Soup: a. In a pot, heat the palm oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until translucent. b. Add the pepper base and continue cooking for a few minutes until the oil separates from the mixture.
- Add the Cooked Meat and Fish: a. Add the cooked assorted meats, fish, and any other seafood you may have chosen. Stir well to combine with the pepper mixture.
- Season the Soup: a. Add seasoning cubes and salt to taste. Stir to combine.
- Add Scent Leaves: a. Add the chopped scent leaves and stir well into the mixture.
- Simmer the Soup: a. Allow the soup to simmer for about 5-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the scent leaves to infuse the soup.
- Adjust Seasoning: a. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning, if necessary.
- Optional: Add Vegetables: a. If using vegetables, add them at this stage and let them cook for a few more minutes until they’re tender but still vibrant in color.
- Serve: a. Once everything is well combined and cooked, remove from heat. Serve the scent leaf soup with your favorite accompaniment like pounded yam, fufu, rice, or eba.
Enjoy your delicious homemade scent leaf soup!
