Egusi Soup Recipe
This Egusi Soup Recipe is a hearty and flavorful West African dish made with ground egusi seeds, beef, shrimp, tomatoes, and fresh spinach. Rich, nutty, and deeply satisfying, this dish is perfect when paired with fufu or rice for an authentic experience.
6 Servings
Ingredients
- ¾ cup egusi seeds or pumpkin seeds
- 1½ pounds beef stew meat cut into cubes
- Salt to taste
- ½ cup peanut oil
- 2 large tomatoes chopped
- 1 small onion chopped
- 2 habanero peppers seeded and minced
- 2 pounds fresh shrimp peeled and deveined
- 18 ounces tomato sauce
- 1½ cups water
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 pound fresh spinach washed and chopped
Instructions
Prepare the Egusi Seeds
- Place the egusi seeds (or pumpkin seeds) into a blender. Blend until a fine, powdery consistency is achieved, approximately 30 to 40 seconds. Set aside for later use.
Season and Brown the Beef
- Cut the beef stew meat into bite-sized cubes and season with salt to taste. In a large pot, heat the peanut oil over medium-high heat. Add the beef cubes and cook until they are browned on all sides but not fully cooked through, approximately 3 to 5 minutes.
Blend the Tomato Base
- In a blender, combine the chopped tomatoes, onion, and habanero peppers. Blend until smooth, approximately 30 seconds. Pour this mixture into the pot with the browned beef.
Simmer the Beef for Tenderness
- Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and allow the beef to simmer for 40 to 50 minutes, stirring occasionally. This slow cooking process allows the beef to become tender and enhances the depth of flavor in the broth.
Add the Shrimp and Tomato Sauce
- Once the beef is tender, add the shrimp, tomato sauce, water, and tomato paste. Stir well to combine all the ingredients. Allow the soup to simmer for an additional 10 minutes until the shrimp is fully cooked and opaque.
Incorporate the Egusi and Spinach
- Stir in the ground egusi seeds and chopped spinach. Continue simmering for 10 more minutes, allowing the soup to thicken and the flavors to meld together.
Serve the Egusi Soup
- Once fully cooked, remove the soup from heat and serve immediately. This dish pairs wonderfully with fufu, rice, or a side of steamed vegetables for a well-balanced meal.
Notes
This Egusi Soup Recipe is naturally gluten-free; however, it is important to ensure that all ingredients used are free from cross-contamination:
- Use gluten-free tomato sauce – Some store-bought tomato sauces contain additives that may include gluten. Always check the ingredient label.
- Select gluten-free seasonings – If using a store-bought seasoning blend, verify that it is free of gluten-containing additives.
- Prevent cross-contamination – When preparing this dish, ensure that all utensils and cookware are clean and not used with gluten-containing ingredients.