Okro Soup: Ilá Alásèpò

  

Okro Soup is yet another popular stable soup in Nigeria; with the cultures having a different way of cooking this delicacy. As most of you know, I am a Yoruba girl, so this recipe will be focused on the Yoruba method. Okro soup is quick, easy and perfect for most Swallow foods such as Pounded Yam, Semolina, Fufu, Amala, Ground Rice and many more. 

Another amazing fact about this soup is that you don't have to spend a fortune to make this. I spent less than £5.00 on ingredients for this recipe and it serves 4-5 people. The vegetable itself is also known as Lady Fingers and is highly rich in protein. It contains folic acid; so an ideal vegetable for pregnant women. Okra also does improve digestion and cures constipation

Here is a step by step recipe on how to make this happen in your kitchen. 

Ingredients

Okra/Lady Fingers(500g)

Ground pepper: Ata Gungun/Ata Kuku (2 tablespoonsful)

Palm oil (2 Cookingspoonful)

Water (3 cups)

Crayfish (1 handful)

400g Gizzard (Chicken or turkey)

400g Tripe: Shaki

Locust beans: Iru (1 tablespoonful)

Knorr Chicken cubes (x2)

Salt. 

Instructions

1. Start by slicing the okra; pour in a blender and blend whiskly (if you have the Pulse function on your blender, this would be a better option)
2. Ensure the okra is not fully blended, you only want it to be "shafty"
3. You can also use a food processor if you do own one.
4. Pour the gizzard and tripe in a pot; add water, salt and the knorr cubes
5. You can use any meat to cook this; so just cook the meat till tender. 
6. Add the ground pepper; iru and crayfish
7. Add the palm oil
8. Let it cook on medium heat for 3 minutes
9. Add the Okra and stir till it is fully mixed with the pepper sauce
10. DO NOT COVER THE POT (covering the pot will prevent the soup from drawing: this might be a myth, but its always been the main precaution in cooking Okra Soup; and works)
11. Let simmer on low heat for another 3-4 minutes
12. Voila! Food is ready!!! 

Your girl, 

TL

N.B: This soup can be served with any swallow food as mentioned earlier.