Efo-Riro ,Nigeria

 Efo-Riro ,Nigeria

Ingredients

For the Soup

• 3-4 bunches of Efo Tete (or substitute with spinach or kale)
• 3 red bell peppers (tatashe)
• 2-3 scotch bonnet peppers (adjust for spice level)
• 1 large onion (divided)
• ½ cup palm oil
• 2 tablespoons locust beans (iru) - optional
• Assorted meats (e.g., goat meat, beef tripe, smoked fish) - about 1 kg total
• 3 seasoning cubes
• Salt to taste
• Ground crayfish (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Meats

1. Wash and Season:
   • Thoroughly wash your assorted meats with water and salt to remove any impurities.
   • Season the meats with salt, half of the sliced onion, and one seasoning cube. Add enough water to cover the meat and boil until tender (about 30 minutes).

Step 2: Prepare the Pepper Sauce

2. Blend Peppers:
   • In a blender, combine the red bell peppers, scotch bonnet peppers, and half of the onion. Blend until smooth without adding water.
3. Cook the Pepper Mix:
   • In a large pot, heat the palm oil over medium heat. Add the remaining sliced onions and sauté for about 2 minutes.
   • Pour in the blended pepper mix and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until it thickens and the oil begins to separate from the sauce.

Step 3: Combine Ingredients

4. Add Meats:
   • Once the pepper sauce is ready, add in your cooked meats along with any stock from cooking them. Stir well to combine.
5. Season:
   • Add locust beans (if using), ground crayfish, remaining seasoning cubes, and salt to taste. Let it simmer for another 5 minutes.

Step 4: Add Spinach

6. Prepare Spinach:
   • Chop the Efo Tete or spinach into bite-sized pieces. If using fresh spinach, you may want to blanch it briefly in boiling water to soften it.
7. Incorporate Spinach:
   • Add the chopped spinach into the pot, stirring well to mix it with the pepper sauce and meats.
   • Allow it to cook for an additional 3-5 minutes until the spinach is tender but still vibrant in color.

Step 5: Serve

8. Final Touches:
   • Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Remove from heat once everything is well combined and cooked through.
9. Serve Hot:
   • Efo-Riro can be served on its own or paired with rice, fufu, or any preferred side dish.