Pèpè Soup with a Twist

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) chicken, cut into pieces 500g (1.1 lb) chicken, cut into pieces
• 500g (1.1 lb) beef, cut into cubes 500g (1.1 lb) beef, cut into cubes
• 500g (1.1 lb) goat meat, cut into pieces 500g (1.1 lb) goat meat, cut into pieces
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 red bell peppers, diced 2 red bell peppers, diced
• 2 tomatoes, chopped 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons ground crayfish 2 tablespoons ground crayfish
• 2 scotch bonnet peppers, finely chopped 2 scotch bonnet peppers, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons ground dried shrimp 2 tablespoons ground dried shrimp
• 2 tablespoons ground dried fish 2 tablespoons ground dried fish
• 2 tablespoons ground egusi (melon seeds) 2 tablespoons ground egusi (melon seeds)
• 2 tablespoons ground peanuts 2 tablespoons ground peanuts
• 2 tablespoons ground sesame seeds 2 tablespoons ground sesame seeds
• 2 tablespoons ground pumpkin seeds 2 tablespoons ground pumpkin seeds
• 2 tablespoons ground okra 2 tablespoons ground okra
• 2 tablespoons ground bitter leaf 2 tablespoons ground bitter leaf
• 2 tablespoons ground spinach 2 tablespoons ground spinach
• 2 tablespoons ground ugu (fluted pumpkin) 2 tablespoons ground ugu (fluted pumpkin)
• 2 tablespoons ground scent leaf 2 tablespoons ground scent leaf
• 2 tablespoons ground basil 2 tablespoons ground basil
• 2 tablespoons ground parsley 2 tablespoons ground parsley
• 2 tablespoons ground lemongrass 2 tablespoons ground lemongrass
• 400ml (13.5 fl oz) coconut milk 400ml (13.5 fl oz) coconut milk
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 25g, 15g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 10g, 5g
• Protein: 45g
• Fiber: 5g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. 2.
   Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot and sauté until golden brown.
3. 3.
   Add the chicken, beef, and goat meat to the pot and cook until browned on all sides.
4. 4.
   Stir in the diced red bell peppers and chopped tomatoes, and cook for another 5 minutes.
5. 5.
   Add the tomato paste, ground crayfish, scotch bonnet peppers, dried shrimp, dried fish, and all the ground seeds and vegetables to the pot. Mix well to combine.
6. 6.
   Pour in the coconut milk and bring the soup to a simmer.
7. 7.
   Reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer for about 1 hour, or until the meats are tender and the flavors have melded together.
8. 8.
   Season with salt and pepper to taste.
9. 9.
   Serve the Pèpè Soup hot with your choice of side dishes.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground crayfish — If you can't find ground crayfish, you can substitute it with shrimp paste or fish sauce for a similar umami flavor.
• Ground dried shrimp — Make sure to use dried shrimp that is ground into a fine powder to enhance the flavor of the soup.
• Ground egusi (melon seeds) — If you can't find ground egusi, you can grind whole melon seeds in a blender or food processor until they form a fine powder.
• Ground bitter leaf — Bitter leaf is a traditional African ingredient that adds a unique flavor to the soup. If you can't find it, you can substitute it with kale or collard greens.
• Ground scent leaf — Scent leaf, also known as basil leaf, has a distinct aroma that enhances the overall flavor of the soup. If you can't find it, you can use fresh basil leaves as a substitute.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra spicy kick, add more scotch bonnet peppers to the soup.
• Adjust the thickness of the soup by adding more coconut milk or water, depending on your preference.
• Serve the Pèpè Soup with a side of steamed rice or fufu for a complete and satisfying meal.
• Feel free to customize the recipe by adding your favorite vegetables or meats to the soup.
• Leftover Pèpè Soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated before serving.

Serving advice

Serve the Pèpè Soup hot in individual bowls, garnished with fresh herbs such as parsley or basil. Accompany it with a side of steamed rice or fufu for a wholesome and satisfying meal.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation of the Pèpè Soup, sprinkle some ground crayfish or sesame seeds on top of each serving. You can also add a drizzle of coconut milk or a squeeze of lime for an extra touch of freshness.