The Banga soup (ofe akwu) is very easy to make and very popular in the eastern part of Nigeria, almost every ingredient used in Making this stew could be gotten from the farm, that is why it is a little bit easier for folks in the rural areas while it remains difficult for people outside the country to find all the ingredients that are required.
Ingredients for Banga Soup
1 kg Palm Fruits or 800g tinned Palm Fruit Concentrate
Beef
Dry Fish
Vegetable: Scent Leaves for Ofe Akwu or dried and crushed bitterleaves for Delta-style Banga Soup
2 medium onions
2 tablespoons ground crayfish
Salt and Chilli Pepper (to taste)
Ogiri Okpei (Iru)
1-2 big stock cubes
PREPARATION METHOD
Extract the palm fruit concentrate from the palm fruits. If using the tinned palm fruit concentrate, open the tin and set aside.
Cook the beef and the dry fish with diced onions and stock cubes till done.
Wash and cut the scent leaves into tiny pieces. The scent leaves give the Banga Soup (Ofe Akwu) its unique aroma and taste. If cooking Delta-style Banga Soup for starch, you should either cook this soup without vegetables or use dried and crushed bitter leaves.
Cut some onion & set aside, Pound the crayfish, ogiri okpei and pepper in a mortar and set aside. You can also grind them with a dry mill as you desire.
Set the pot of palm fruit extract on fire and start cooking at high heat.
Leave to boil till you notice some red oil at the surface of the Banga Soup.
If your Banga Soup looks watery, cook till the soup has thickened to the consistency you like for your soup.
Add the beef, dry fish and stock from the meat, onions, crayfish and pepper and leave to boil very well.
Add the scent leaves or any other vegetable, pepper and salt to taste.
Leave to simmer for about 2 mins.
The Banga Soup is done and ready to be served.