Egusi soup with spinach looks more like a stew than a soup. Egusi soup is usually accompanied by yam, plantains or rice. Let us take a walk through this delicious recipe.

COOKING TIME

50mins

RECIPE TYPE

Main course

CUISINE

Ghanaian

COOKING METHOD

Stewing

NUTRITION

The Ghana egusi soup with spinach is the best version of the melon seed base stew . Agusi, as Ghanaians call it, is a protein-packed tiny white seed from the melon plant. Rich in vitamin B1, B2, A and C, it also has high levels of linoleic and oleic acid.

Spinach is also another super food packed with vitamins, minerals and iron. It is also good for healthy hair, skin and bones. Try adding lots of spinach to your diet to prevent constipation.

How to prepare Ghana egusi soup with spinach

Name: Egusi Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Ghanaian
Ingredients: 1 cup powdered agusi/egusi; 3 cups spinach leaves/kontomire (washed and chopped); 1pound smoked salmon chunks; 1 ½ pound smoked tuna chunks; 3 large eggs; 4 tbsp. shrimp powder; 1 large onion (sliced); 1 tbsp. ginger paste; 1 tbsp. garlic paste; 2 tbsp. tomato paste; 4 large tomatoes (diced); ½ cup palm oil

INGREDIENTS

1 cup powdered agusi/egusi
3 cups spinach leaves/kontomire (washed and chopped)
1pound smoked salmon chunks
1 ½ pound smoked tuna chunks
3 large eggs
4 tbsp. shrimp powder
1 large onion (sliced)
1 tbsp. ginger paste
1 tbsp. garlic paste
2 tbsp. tomato paste
4 large tomatoes (diced)
½ cup palm oil

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS

If you are substituting with kontomire, be advise to boil it a bit before adding to the stew.

Add 2 cups of water to kontomire and bring to a boil. Let it boil over for about 5mins and turn off heat. Strain out excess water with a colander. Keep leaves in the colander.
Over medium heat, heat palm oil. Add your onions, ginger and garlic. Cook and stir until onions are nicely caramelized.
Add tomato paste and stir. Allow cooking for about 2mins. Pour in your fresh tomatoes. Add a little water. Cover and allow cooking for about 10mins.
Mix your eggs with the powdered egusi and pour into the saucepan. Turn down the heat, cover and cook for another 10-15mins. I recommend you gently stir after about 10mins.
Add your shrimp powder, salmon and tuna to the stew. Carefully stir to prevent the egusi from breaking into tiny pieces. We want it looking quite chunky.
Finally, add the spinach leaves/ kontomire and stir. Adjust salt and pepper to your preference. Simmer on low heat for about 10-15mins.

Your Ghanaian style egusi soup is ready to be devoured.

SERVING SIZE

4 persons

ABOUT

Ghanaian style egusi soup with spinach looks more like a stew than a soup. It is slightly thicker than other versions of the sauce. It’s also a great meal for vegetarians once the fish is omitted.

Unlike Nigerian version, the Ghana egusi soup is usually paired with yam, plantains or rice, and not eba. Others go as far as to enjoy it with banku or kenkey.

Egusi Soup