Authentic Nigerian Ofe Akwu (Palm Nut Soup) Recipe

Ingredients

1.5kg Fresh Palm Fruits
1 medium sized Stockfish
1 medium sized Dried Fish / Mackerel / Dry Fish
1 cup of Crayfish
1 Ogiri Okpei (traditional seasoning option)
2 big Beef stock cubes
1 tablespoon of Thyme
1 tablespoon of Curry powder
2 medium sized Onions
2-3 Scotch bonnet peppers (Ata rodo)
2 cups of chopped Spinach (alternative: pumpkin leaves or Scent leaves)
1 cup of cooked and deboned Mackerel/Dry Fish/Stockfish
1 cup of Meat of choice
Salt to taste

Steps and instructions

Start by boiling the palm fruits until it's soft. Then pound the fruits with a mortar and pestle until the pulp comes off the seed, pour in some water and strain the extract through a sieve.
Wash the stockfish, dry fish, and meat, put in a pot and season with a little salt, 1 tablespoon of thyme, 1 tablespoon of curry powder, 2 stock cubes and 1 sliced onion. Allow the meat cook till it's tender and the stock is almost dried.
Blend the Scotch bonnet peppers, 1 onion, crayfish and ogiri okpei. Then add this mixture, and the palm fruit extract to the pot of cooked meat and fish. Cover the pot and leave to boil for about 15 minutes.
By now, you'd notice that the oil from the palm fruit extract will start settling at the top. Add the shredded spinach or any other vegetable of your choice and salt to taste. Stir and leave to simmer for 2-5 minutes.
Your Ofe Akwu is ready. It can be served with white rice.

Tools for making

Mortar and Pestle - for pounding the palm fruits
Pot - for cooking the palm fruit extract, meat, and fish
Sieve - for straining the palm fruit extract
Blender - for blending the peppers, onion, crayfish, and ogiri okpei
Knife - for chopping onions and other ingredients
Cutting Board - for cutting and chopping ingredients
Spoon - for stirring the soup

Recipe variations

Instead of using fresh palm fruits, canned palm fruit pulp can be used as a convenient alternative.
For a vegetarian or vegan version, omit the meat and fish and use vegetable stock or vegetable-based protein substitutes.
You can add additional vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or green beans to enhance the flavors and nutritional value.
For a spicier version, increase the quantity of Scotch bonnet peppers or add other hot peppers of your choice.
Instead of spinach, you can use other traditional Nigerian vegetables such as pumpkin leaves (Ugu) or Scent leaves (Nchuanwu) for a different flavor profile.
To make a seafood version, replace the meat with shrimp, crayfish, or a combination of various seafood.
For an extra smoky flavor, you can include smoked fish or smoked turkey in addition to the other protein sources.
To make it richer and creamier, you can add coconut milk or coconut cream towards the end of the cooking process.

Recipe overview

Ofe Akwu, also known as Banga Soup or Palm Nut Soup, is a traditional Nigerian dish popularly savored by the Igbo tribe. The soup is made from palm fruits and is commonly served with white rice, although it can also be enjoyed with traditional Nigerian fufu dishes. This recipe has a unique blend of aromatic spices, stockfish, and meat, which give it a rich and savory flavor that's sure to delight your palate. Expect to engage in some hands-on prep work such as pounding palm fruits and cooking meats, but the end result is a satisfying, hearty dish that's well worth the effort. Whether you're new to Nigerian cuisine or a seasoned connoisseur, this Ofe Akwu recipe is a must-try.

Common questions

Can I use canned palm fruit pulp instead of fresh palm fruits?
Yes, you can use canned palm fruit pulp as a substitute for fresh palm fruits. However, the taste and texture may differ slightly.
What can I use instead of Ogiri Okpei?
If you can't find Ogiri Okpei, you can use locust beans or ugba (ukpaka) as an alternative.
Can I use a different type of fish?
Yes, you can use different types of fish such as mackerel, catfish or tilapia instead of dried fish or stockfish. Adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Can I substitute spinach with other greens?
Yes, you can substitute spinach with pumpkin leaves (ugu) or scent leaves (nchanwu) if they are available in your area.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, you can make a vegetarian version of Ofe Akwu by omitting the meat, fish, and seasoning cubes. Increase the quantity of vegetables and add vegetable stock for flavor.

Serving dishes and utensils

Pot - A large pot for cooking the palm fruit extract and the soup.
Mortar and Pestle - Used to pound the palm fruits and extract the pulp from the seeds.
Sieve - To strain the palm fruit extract and remove any solid particles.
Blender - To blend the Scotch bonnet peppers, onions, crayfish, and ogiri okpei.
Knife - For cutting and chopping ingredients.
Chopping Board - To provide a clean and stable surface for cutting ingredients.
Spoon - For stirring and mixing the ingredients.
Plates and Bowls - For serving the Ofe Akwu.
Cooking Spoon - For scooping and serving the soup.
Rice or Swallow - Accompaniment for the Ofe Akwu when serving.

Origin stories

Ofe Akwu, also known as Banga Soup, is a traditional dish that hails from the Eastern part of Nigeria, particularly amongst the Igbo ethnic group. This delicacy differs from the Niger-Delta version of Banga soup in that it is served with a side of white rice rather than with swallow foods like eba or fufu. A unique and intriguing fact about Ofe Akwu is its use of palm fruits as its main ingredient. Palm trees are ubiquitous throughout the region, so it's no surprise that they feature heavily in local cuisine. The fruit's extract adds a rich, unique flavor to the dish that can't be imitated. However, the real magic of Ofe Akwu comes from the traditional seasoning, ogiri okpei, which adds a depth of flavor that makes this dish truly a unique and memorable taste of Igbo culinary tradition.

Disclaimer: This recipe was not created by humans and we cannot ensure that it will turn out as expected. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this recipe (including steps, ingredients, nutritional information, and all sections on this page). You should check to make sure you are not allergic to any ingredients and take safety precautions while making this. The images on this page are generated by AI and may not accurately represent the result of making this recipe.