| Prep: 30 mins | Cook: 45 mins – 60 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 532 | 39g | 30g | 18g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 5g | 10g | 25g | 1.28g |
Why I Love Nigerian Coconut Okra Soup
Hello to all you passionate foodies out there! Trust me when I say that today, I can’t wait to share an exotic culinary experience with you – the wonderfully fragrant and flavorful Nigerian dish, Coconut Okra Soup.
A meeting of flavors
Now, I know what you’re thinking…Nigerian cuisine? Yes, indeed! As a chef hailing from the heartlands of Montana, I’m no stranger to hearty, comfort foods that soothe the soul. However, it’s the zest for exploring, the passion to unearth new, exciting flavors that led me down the aromatic paths of West African cooking.
Coconut Okra Soup is a delightful concoction bringing together different textures, flavors, and ingredients. The key elements – okra, coconut, and an interesting mix of seafood and meat – offer a distinct and vibrant melding of flavors that’s simply hard to resist.
Inspired by a Legend
The brilliant artistry of Nigerian-born British chef Lerato Umah-Shaylor has always been a rich source of inspiration for me. She opens up a whole new world of vibrant, illuminating, and richly flavored African dishes that make you want to instantly tie that apron and get cooking.
I’ve looked into her cooking ethos, drawing inspiration from her pan-African culinary style that emphasizes using fresh, locally sourced ingredients while honoring culinary traditions. As a Montana boy whose cooking often pays homage to local ranching favorites and Native American traditions, I can’t help but see the parallels, feel the resonance.
Food Pairings for Coconut Okra Soup
While Coconut Okra Soup is a meal unto itself, it can truly become a feast for the senses when paired thoughtfully. A simple rice dish, like Nigerian Jollof rice, would work beautifully. The sweetish notes of the Jollof rice would complement the hearty soup, creating a well-rounded meal.
And for those who savor a good bread, the Nigerian flatbread, Fufu, could be a tasty side. The chewy texture adds an excellent mouthfeel to each bite when dunked into the soup.
Above all, don’t forget to cook with love and enjoy the process as much as the end result – a delicious pot of Coconut Okra Soup, perfect for warming up those chilly evenings. Happy cooking!
What You’ll Need
- 2 cups of okra (chopped)
- 1 whole coconut (medium size) or 1 cup of coconut milk
- 1 lb of beef (cut into chunks)
- 2 dry fish (medium size)
- 1/2 cup of crayfish (ground)
- 1 tablespoon of palm oil
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 Scotch bonnet peppers
- 1 cup of water leaves (chopped)
- 2 tablespoons of stock cubes (crushed)
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 4 cups of water
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground Ehu seeds (Calabash Nutmeg)
Method
Step One
Start by preparing the coconut milk if using a whole coconut. Break the coconut open, pour out the water and cut out the flesh. Blend the flesh with 4 cups of warm water, then strain to get the coconut milk. You can discard the chaff.
Step Two
In a large pot, place the chunks of beef, dry fish, stock cubes, ground crayfish, chopped onions, and scotch bonnet peppers. Add 1 cup of the coconut milk or water, then cover the pot and let it simmer on medium heat until the meat is tender.
Step Three
While the meat is cooking, cut the okra into thin slices or dice them into small cubes depending on your preference. For a slimy soup, you may blend a portion of the okra and chop the rest.
Step Four
Once the meat is tender, add the remaining coconut milk or water, palm oil, ground Ehu seeds, and salt. Stir, cover, and let it simmer for about 10 minutes.
Step Five
Add the chopped okra and water leaves to the pot. Stir gently to incorporate them into the soup. Let the soup simmer for another 5 minutes. Make sure it doesn’t overcook; otherwise the okra will lose its firm texture.
Step Six
Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. If the soup is too thick for your liking, add a little more water or coconut milk. Let it simmer for a few minutes more then turn off the heat. Your Coconut Okra Soup is ready to enjoy with a side of your choice, such as fufu or rice.
