| Staple foods in the Nigerian diet include: | | | | that can be created anywhere in the world, as |
| peanuts or ground-nuts, yams, cassava, fish, | | | | it uses ingredients that can be found in any |
| rice, okra, bananas, guinea corn and millet, | | | | local store. |
| and palm nuts. | | | | |
| | | | The word "okra" comes from Africa and means |
| They are usually starchy and Nigerians love | | | | "lady's fingers" in Igbo, one of the |
| to cook with a lot of pepper and spices | | | | languages spoken in Nigeria. Although Okra |
| especially those from the southwest and | | | | originated from Africa, it is now available |
| southeast. This recipe uses all local | | | | around the world. Some people consider Okra |
| ingredients to create a tasty and nourishing | | | | alone is too gooey, but this tasty recipe |
| meal. | | | | makes good use of it's properties. |
| | | | |
| These recipes celebrate the traditional food | | | | When buying fresh okra, look for young pods |
| of Nigeria:- | | | | free of bruises, tender but not soft, and no |
| | | | more than 4 inches long. |
| Egusi Soup | | | | |
| | | | 500g Okra |
| Ground Egusi seeds give this soup a unique | | | | |
| color and flavour. If you can't find Egusi | | | | 2 Onions |
| seeds in your store, you can substitute | | | | |
| pumpkin seeds or Pepitas which you can find | | | | 180g Oil |
| in Latin American grocery stores. This soup | | | | |
| is thickened with flour ground from seeds of | | | | 3 cloves garlic |
| gourds, melons, pumpkins, and squashes, many | | | | |
| of which are native to Africa. | | | | 2 Tomatoes |
| | | | |
| 200 g Water Leaves | | | | 2 teaspoons of curry powder |
| | | | |
| 50 g Egusi seeds | | | | ½ teaspoon of turmeric |
| | | | |
| 1 teaspoon Dry Ground Red Pepper | | | | Pinch of black pepper |
| | | | |
| 1 medium Onion | | | | ½ teaspoon of salt |
| | | | |
| 100ml Palm Oil | | | | Slice one of the onions finely and fry gently |
| | | | in oil. |
| 10g Dry Ground Crayfish | | | | |
| | | | Liquidise the remaining onion, tomatoes and |
| 120g Fresh Tomatoes | | | | garlic. |
| | | | |
| 100ml Water | | | | Add this puree to the frying onions. |
| | | | |
| Salt & Pepper to taste | | | | Add the spices. |
| | | | |
| Wash the water leaves well in clean, fresh | | | | Fry gently for five minutes. |
| water. | | | | |
| | | | Top and tail the okra and cut into pieces |
| Liquidise or pulverise the onions, tomatoes | | | | about 1cm thick. |
| and egusi seeds until smooth. | | | | |
| | | | Add to the spices and cook gently for 10-15 |
| Add the dry ground pepper and fry in palm oil | | | | minutes. |
| for five minutes. | | | | |
| | | | Serve with cooked rice and a meat stew, for |
| Add the water, put the lid on and cook for | | | | protein. |
| five minutes. | | | | |
| | | | With thanks to the Nigerian people who made |
| Now add the water leaves, replace lid and | | | | us so welcome in their homes, gave us a love |
| cook for a further five minutes. | | | | of traditional Nigerian food and who helped |
| | | | us overcome our fear of eating with our |
| Finally, add the crayfish and seasoning, | | | | fingers! |
| warming through well. | | | | |
| | | | For further tips and ideas for cooking great |
| Serve with pounded yam or cooked rice and a | | | | and traditional food from around the world, |
| meat stew, to provide protein. | | | | visit Nigerian Recipes & Food |
| | | | |
| Alternatively, serve with eba, fufu or any | | | | This article was submitted by Jen Carter, |
| suitable carbohydrate. | | | | owner of the World Food & Recipes website. |
| | | | |
| Curried Okra | | | | Jen has travelled around the world and enjoys |
| | | | collecting and sharing recipes from other |
| This traditional recipe for Okra (or Okro, as | | | | countries. |
| it is called in some part of Nigeria) is one | | | | |