Nigerian Fresh Fish Okra Soup recipe

Okra as a vegetable is one of the most versatile pods in the African cuisine.

It is also used in eastern and western cuisines; because not only is it loaded with vitamins and minerals, it can also be prepared in so many ways.

For the Nigerian okra soup recipes, we have the famous Okra soup we also have the “oil-less” okro soup, Okra soup with Ogbono, Okro soup with Egusi, Okra soup with ugba and a lot more.

No wonder it is a popular meal , loved by both kids and adults.

Even though I prepared this seafood okra soup with palm oil, you can leave it out if you want to go the “oil-less” route.

I also want to add that you can make use of as much seafood as you want , the choice is all yours.

Ingredients

• 20 large Okra pods
• 2 cups or 200gr green vegetable (spinach, ugwu, kale or shoko)
• 2 large Red bell peppers (tatashe)
• 2 Scotch bonnet peppers (atarodo)
• Onions
• Stock fish
• Dried fish
• Fresh fish (Tiliapia or Sea Bass, Red Brim)
• 1 cooking spoonful (half cup) Palm oil (palmoil)
• 1 handful(half cup) Iru/ogiri (optional)
• Seasoning powder or cubes to taste
• Salt to taste

Note: This okra “okro” soup is quite simple and contains few type of Fish.

Preparation

1. To prepare fish okra soup the first step is to prep the ingredients;
   1. First you chop 3/4 of the Okras (okro pods) you’ll be using and blend or grate the remaing ones. And set aside
   2. Slice the green vegetables of choice. Set aside
   3. Blend the red bell peppers (tatashe) plus the scotch bonnet peppers (atarodo) and a little onion. Set aside.
   4. Slice the fresh fish, remove the guts, rinse fish and set aside.

2. Now let’s cook: In a large pot, add the cleaned stock fish, the fresh fish heads (the head has lots of delicious flavors).
   Add some minced onions, fresh pepper , some seasoning and salt to taste.
   Add a little water and let it boil for about 5 minutes.

3. Take out the steamed fresh fish and set aside – then add more water into the pot , cover and boil until the stock fish is tender.

4. Now, add the cleaned dried fish, add the blended pepper mix, palm oil, iru, taste for seasoning and salt and add if needed.
   Mix well, cover the pot and let it boil for about 10 minutes.

5. Add the blended/grated okro, stir until the okra is well combined; then add the chopped okra , mix well and add the fresh cleaned green vegetables.
6. Finally, add the steamed fish and simmer for 5 minutes and you have a delicious Fresh Fish okra soup , ready to enjoy as it is , or serve as an accompaniment to any swallow of choice or eko.

Below are some frequently asked questions and answers about Fresh Fish okra soup;

Is okro soup good for diabetes?

Yes this okra soup is loaded with vitamins and very good for people with diabetes. You might want to omit the palmoil and go easy on the seasoning and salt too.

Is okro soup good for babies?

Babies from 8 month old can take okra soup. But you should be very careful with the Bones in the soup

Can I prepare okra soup without palmoil?

Of course you can. Even though the palm oil gives the soup an authentic african taste, it can be omitted.

Can I eat okro soup during pregnancy?

Yes you can eat okra soup during pregnancy. Okra is a rich vegetable that is good for both mother and child. So feel free to indulge.