Bitter Leaf Soup (Efo-Elewuro)

By Ronke Edoho
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Published: June 10, 2015

Healthy Eating

Efo is the Yoruba word for vegetable and is used as a prefix in vegetable-based soups. This recipe is an adaptation of one of my grandmother’s favorite dishes to cook for us. The combination of tender greens like efo-tete (green amaranth) and young ewuro (bitter leaf) with locust beans, flaky mackerel fish and palm oil is sure to please any palate.

The bitter leaf used in this recipe should be washed to remove some of the natural bitterness. Most local markets sell bitter leaf that has already been stripped of a certain degree of bitterness; however, if you are one of the many Nigerians who grow bitter leaf but aren’t necessarily sure how to wash it, here are two options:

1) Hand wash

Place bitter leaf in a basin of water. Gather up a little at a time and rub together under the water. Continue to do this until the leaves are fairly wilted. Use a mesh strainer to remove excess water. Repeat this process 2-3 times. Rinse the bitter leaf with fresh water, strain and set aside for use.

2) Blender or food processor

Begin by chopping the bitter leaf. Combine 1 part bitter leaf with 2 parts water. Blend for 2-3 minutes, then strain to remove water. Repeat this process 2 more times. Rinse the bitter leaf with fresh water, strain and set aside for use.

Bitter leaf soup can be enjoyed as an accompaniment to pounded yam, amala, plantain, fufu, and so forth. It can also be served on rice or eaten with a side of boiled plantain.

[READ]: How Bitter Leaf Can Improve Your Health

Preparation

Combine the ingredients in Part A in a blender and pulse to a coarse texture. Pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer and allow to rest for 10 minutes to drain excess water.

Print
Bitter Leaf Soup (Efo-Elewuro)

Ingredients

    PART A
  • 3 red bell peppers (tatashe)
  • 1 medium onion bulb
  • 2-3 Scotch bonnet (ata rodo)
    • PART B
  • 2/3 cup palm oil
  • 1/2 medium onion bulb, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons blended crayfish
  • 1 cup shredded smoked fish (optional)
  • 1-2 large mackerel fish (titus), cleaned and cut into steaks
  • 3 tablespoons locust beans (iru)
  • 2-3 cubes maggi (optional)
  • salt to taste
    • PART C
  • 3 packed cups washed fresh bitter leaf or 2 cups dried bitter leaf
  • 6 cups chopped amaranth or spinach
  • (Note: 7-8 cups of fresh bitter leaf will yield approximately 3 cups washed.)

Instructions

  1. Season the mackerel with salt and pepper and set aside.
  2. Heat the palm oil in a large pot over medium heat.
  3. Add the sliced onions and fry until fragrant and browned.
  4. Add the mackerel and fry on both sides.
  5. Add the mixture from Part A and the remaining ingredients from Part B.
  6. Cover and simmer on medium-high heat for 15-20 minutes.
  7. Remove the mackerel and set aside.
  8. Add the bitter leaf and amaranth; stir well to combine with the sauce. Continue to stir until the vegetables are wilted and reduced. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired.
  9. Return the mackerel to the soup. Simmer uncovered for another 2-3 minutes.
https://www.radianthealthmag.com/healthy-eating/bitter-leaf-soup-efo-elewuro/

Serve and enjoy!

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About Ronke Edoho

Ronke Edoho is the founder and creative administrator for 9jafoodie.com. A CPA by profession, her interest in food and agriculture started at a very tender age. Ronke’s dream is to make an impact on the entire food chain, from farm to table.
Ronke’s recipes presented on 9jafoodie.com are rooted in tradition paired with a modern flair. Traditional African recipes have a tendency to appear complicated; the goal of 9jafoodie.com is to simplify as much as possible. Ronke also presents many healthier alternatives to traditional recipes.
Readers can look forward to Ronke’s first eBook, coming soon to her website.

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