How to cook Edikang Ikong Soup?

 Edikang Ikong soup is one of Nigeria’s most popular soups. Given the quantity of vegetables in one pot of soup and of course the nutritional benefits,then you cannot afford not to know how to cook it if you are a Nigerian .

Before we head into the kitchen, I want to get into the subject of women undergarment . Nigerian women and their counter parts all over the world have come a long way with undergarments that are supposed to instantly shrink your dress size. Our mums packed themselves into girdles, Not too long ago spanks were introduced thanks to Sara Blakely the originator of this concept.

Today,  ladies are going crazy suffocating with body magic. A friend confessed to  stopping her car on 3rd mainland bridge in Lagos to take off  this contraption called body magic as she was almost passing out having been trapped in traffic for hours. This is real woman palaver. I even understand that there is a male version.

Let me say though that some of these tools like the spanks have been God sent. Those times when women need decent ‘tucking in, it comes in handy. But really why do women or indeed men endure all of these uncomfortable undergarment tools?  The answer is not far fetched we cannot be bothered to be so disciplined all year round year with our eating. But who can? Sometimes the ice cream, mouthwatering desserts or even very fluffy pounded yam with serious Edikang Ikong soup complete with bush meat, stock fish, dry fish, thick pomo means we will overdo things a bit , it is just plain human.

But we can have all these in very controlled portions and still fit into dresses we have had for 5 years. A life style of portion control and sensible choices on the Platter  is the name of the game. If your plate is always looking like mount Everest you have to review your portions. As I am already on the subject of Edikang Ikong  soup, let me share the recipe.  Watch the palm oil quantity in this soup. That is where you may go from a healthy Nigerian soup to a calorie heavy one. I also do not use water leaves as this makes the soup too watery for me. Many people use water leaf and this is okay.Nigerian recipes can be varied easily depending on the  ingredients you find and can afford.

As I am using plenty tender Ikong Ubong( ugu) leaves , I have benefit of  high levels of iron( good for blood formation) magnesium and calcium( formation of healthy bones and teeth), which ugwu is reputed to have. Enjoy

Recipe for Edikang Ikong soup ?

Ingredients 

8 medium pieces Beef
Eight small pieces thick ikpa ( cow skin or pomo)
8 medium pieces of shaki – optional (beef tripe)
Handful shredded  Stock fish pieces
1 medium size smoked Catfish or shine nose fish
6 medium bunches Ikong ubong ( ugwu leaves)

1 bunchWater leaf ( I did not use in this recipe because the ugu was very tender)
4 Snails( optional)
1 bulb onion( chopped)
3-4 pieces yellow pepper
2 cooking spoons Palm oil
3tbs crayfish
1 Beef Seasoning cube
2 Crayfish seasoning tablets
3 cups Water
Salt to taste

Method for making Edikang Ikong
1,Wash and season the beef and ikpa with  the beef seasoning, some onion, 2 pieces of pepper, and salt.
2, Steam till the beef juice dries up
3, Add 2 cups of water and continue cooking.
4,  If the ikpa is the soft one then remove as soon as it is soft and set aside.
5, When the beef is almost cooked add the stock fish  and snail if you choose to add it as these do not take long to cook.
6, Add the remaining cup of water, the smoked fish and ground crayfish, crayfish seasoning  and boil till dry. Taste and correct for salt
7, Add the palm oil and cook for another 5mins
8, Squeeze out the water from the  shredded  leaves and add with the remaining onion and pepper if needed and stir.
9, Cook for about 5 -7 mins depending on how tender the leaves are.
10, Serve with a ” swallow ” of choice.
Edikang ikong  also  goes well with rice.

Tip: The water squeezed out of the leaves is loaded with iron. You may wish to strain  into a glass and drink. It is not too nice in the mouth but good for the body.