🥣 Afang Soup
Afang soup is a rich, hearty Nigerian vegetable soup, traditionally made with afang leaves (Okazi) and waterleaf (or spinach if unavailable), combined with meat, fish, and spices. It’s deeply flavorful, slightly thick, and typically served with fufu, pounded yam, or garri.
🥄 Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
Vegetables
- 2 cups afang leaves (finely shredded)
- 2 cups waterleaf (or substitute: spinach or finely chopped kale)
Proteins
- 1 lb assorted meat (beef, goat, or chicken), cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ lb stockfish or dried fish, soaked and deboned
- ½ lb smoked fish, flaked
- ½ cup periwinkle (optional)
Other Ingredients
- ½ cup palm oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2–3 tbsp ground crayfish
- 2–3 Scotch bonnet peppers (or to taste), blended
- 2–3 bouillon cubes (Maggi or Knorr)
- Salt to taste
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Cook meat & stockfish:
- In a pot, boil meat with chopped onions, bouillon cubes, and a little salt until tender.
- Add stockfish and smoked fish; cook 5–10 minutes.
2️⃣ Prepare vegetables:
- Wash afang leaves thoroughly and shred finely.
- Wash and chop waterleaf or substitute.
3️⃣ Cook soup base:
- Heat palm oil in a separate pan or directly in the pot.
- Add blended peppers and sauté 2–3 minutes.
- Stir in crayfish.
4️⃣ Combine ingredients:
- Add cooked meat and fish mixture to the palm oil base.
- Stir in waterleaf first, cook 3–5 minutes until it releases water.
- Add afang leaves, stir, and cook 5–7 minutes until wilted but still vibrant.
5️⃣ Season & finish:
- Taste and adjust salt.
- Add periwinkle if using.
- Cook a few more minutes until all flavors meld.
6️⃣ Serve:
- Traditionally with fufu, garri, eba, or pounded yam.
🌟 Tips for Perfect Afang Soup
- Vegetable ratio: Afang is tougher than waterleaf; use more waterleaf if desired for a softer texture.
- Palm oil: Don’t overheat, as it can lose flavor and color.
- Protein: Mix of fresh, smoked, and dried fish gives authentic depth.
- Spice: Adjust Scotch bonnet peppers to your heat preference.
I can also provide:
- 🥘 Afang soup with light protein version (chicken & fish only)
- 🌶️ Spicy Afang soup variation
- 🥬 Afang soup with spinach-only substitute for easier prep
- 🍲 Slow-cooker Afang soup version
Do you want the slow-cooker version?
