How to Prepare Groundnut Soup: A Nigerian Recipe

Groundnut soup, also known as peanut soup, is a rich and flavorful dish popular in many parts of Nigeria, particularly among the Esan people of Edo State. It is a creamy and savory soup made from ground peanuts and is often enjoyed with various accompaniments such as rice, fufu, or pounded yam. Here is a detailed guide on how to prepare this delicious Nigerian groundnut soup.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 1 cup raw groundnuts (peanuts)
• 500g assorted meats (such as beef, goat meat, or tripe)
• 1 medium smoked fish
• 1 medium stockfish (optional)
• 2 tablespoons ground crayfish
• 2 tablespoons palm oil
• 2-3 scotch bonnet peppers (or to taste)
• 1 medium onion
• 1-2 tablespoons locust beans (iru/dawa dawa) (optional)
• Vegetable of choice (such as ugu (fluted pumpkin leaves), spinach, or bitterleaf)
• Salt and seasoning cubes (to taste)

Preparation Steps

Step 1: Preparing the Ingredients

1. Roast the Groundnuts: Begin by roasting the raw groundnuts. Place them in a dry pan over medium heat and stir continuously until they turn golden brown. This usually takes about 10-15 minutes. Be careful not to burn them. Once roasted, allow them to cool before removing the skins by rubbing them between your hands. Grind the skinned groundnuts into a smooth paste using a blender or food processor. Set aside.
2. Prepare the Meats and Fish: Wash and cut the assorted meats into bite-sized pieces. If using stockfish, soak it in hot water to soften, then rinse thoroughly. Smoke fish should be deboned and rinsed. Set all the meats and fish aside.
3. Prepare the Vegetables: If using ugu or spinach, wash and chop them. If using bitterleaf, wash thoroughly to reduce the bitterness. Set the vegetables aside.

Step 2: Cooking the Soup Base

1. Cook the Meats: In a large pot, add the assorted meats, chopped onions, salt, and seasoning cubes. Add enough water to cover the meats and cook until tender. This may take about 30-45 minutes depending on the type of meats used.
2. Add the Fish and Stockfish: Once the meats are almost tender, add the smoked fish and stockfish to the pot. Allow to cook for an additional 10 minutes.

Step 3: Making the Soup

1. Add the Groundnut Paste: Carefully add the groundnut paste to the pot. Stir well to ensure it dissolves completely into the stock. You may need to add more water to achieve your desired soup consistency.
2. Incorporate the Palm Oil and Crayfish: Add the palm oil and ground crayfish to the pot. Stir well to combine.
3. Season the Soup: Add the locust beans (if using) and chopped scotch bonnet peppers. Adjust the seasoning with more salt or seasoning cubes if necessary. Allow the soup to simmer on medium heat for about 15-20 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.

Step 4: Adding the Vegetables

1. Add the Vegetables: Finally, add your chopped vegetables to the soup. Stir and allow to cook for an additional 5-10 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
2. Final Adjustments: Taste the soup and make any final adjustments to the seasoning if needed.

Serving Suggestions

Groundnut soup is best enjoyed hot with a variety of Nigerian staples such as:

• Pounded Yam
• Eba (Garri)
• Fufu
• Semovita
• Rice

Tips for a Perfect Groundnut Soup

• Avoid burning the groundnuts: When roasting the groundnuts, keep a close eye to ensure they don’t burn, as this can impart a bitter taste to the soup.
• Consistency is key: The consistency of the soup can be adjusted to your preference by adding more or less water. Some prefer a thick, creamy soup, while others like it thinner.
• Balancing flavors: Be mindful of the balance of flavors. The sweetness of the groundnuts should be complemented by the savory and spicy elements of the soup.
• Vegetable choice: The choice of vegetables can significantly influence the flavor of the soup. Ugu leaves provide a mild flavor, while bitterleaf offers a more distinct, slightly bitter taste.

Groundnut soup is a beloved Nigerian dish that brings comfort and satisfaction with every spoonful. Its rich, nutty flavor combined with the hearty meats and aromatic spices makes it a favorite for many. Enjoy preparing and savoring this delicious soup!