African Pepper Soup(Chicken)

 By nero fastfood kitchen

African pepper soup is a delightfully ,intensely flavored soup that is served throughout West Africa, especially in Nigeria, Cameroon and other neighboring African countries.

The only ingredient that is inherently present in this soup is – Pepper. The rest is fair game.

There is not just one  kind of pepper soup in Africa. In fact, there are almost as many variations as there are cooks, with each one insisting on his or her take ,on this peppery soup, as the only authentic and unpretentious way to make it.

Yes! Even in my family, we all have our take on this soup.

I don’t know about you but I include EVERY part of chicken in my soup – Feet and head too! And I nibble on them.

Oh yes I do, at least when no one is watching – Lol.

The amount of pepper used in this dish is very much a matter of personal taste. I have suggested using an amount that is pleasantly hot, but not over whelming: Just enough to make you sit and take notice-you can adjust if you wish. Or just throw in a whole pepper , you get the flavor not the heat. I do both , an extra one for the heat seeker in the family.

In Cameroon, Njanjsa  sometimes  plays a big role in this soup. Njansa(the little round condiment in the picture above)  is an exotic spice that  has a nutty and delectable flavor. It  utterly mystifies those who taste them for the first time in soups or stews.

Do  you  really need njansa in this soup?  Not really , however,  it adds flavor and thickens any soup. I only use it when I have some available. It is not a spice I can get from my neighborhood supermarket,so I usually don’t sweat it.

The basic ingredients that you need in other to enjoy pepper soup is hot pepper, onions, garlic, ginger then the list goes on with ethnic spices that range from lemon grass to more universal spices like allspice, cumin, curry, fennel seeds. I kept this recipe simple , so anyone, anywhere can try this soup. Use any protein of choice ( goat meat, chicken, fish,  beef, ovals.)

Enjoy!

Notes

•  using fresh hen(stewing chicken ) to cook pepper soup- yields more flavor.
• Njansa is available in some African markets . You can also purchase on line 

African Pepper Soup(Chicken)

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

45 mins

Total Time

55 mins

 

African pepper soup is a delightfully ,intensely flavored soup that is served throughout West Africa, especially in Nigeria, Cameroon and other neighboring African countries.

Course: Main

Cuisine: African

Servings:  people

Calories: 283 kcal

Author: Immaculate Bites

Ingredients

• 3- 3 1/2 pound 1.3-1.5 kg chicken cut in pieces
• 1 medium onion sliced
• 4-5 garlic clove
• 2 tablespoon chopped ginger
• 1 Tablespoon paprika
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tablespoon Maggi or bouillon granules
• 2 green onion chopped whites and green parts
• 3-5 tablespoon parsley / basil any fresh herb
• 1-3 Scotch bonnet or habanera pepper
• Salt and white pepper to taste
• ¼ cup Njansa optional

Instructions

1. Place all the spices in the blender or food processor. Pulse until everything is puree
2. Add to the pot of chicken, add water about 7-8 cups of water. Bring to a boil and simmer until chicken is tender. Discard bay leaf, add water if necessary.
3. Adjust for seasonings and thickness. Serve warm.

Recipe Notes

1. I like using fresh hen(stewing chicken ) to cook pepper soup- yields more flavor.
2. Njansa is available in some African markets . You can also purchase on line http://tropicalfoodinc.com/index.php
3. The basic ingredients that you need in other to enjoy pepper soup is hot pepper, onions, garlic, ginger then the list goes on with ethnic spices that range from lemon grass to more universal spices like allspice, cumin, curry, fennel seeds. I kept this recipe simple , so anyone, anywhere can try this soup. Use any protein of choice ( goat meat, chicken, fish,  beef, ovals.)

Nutrition Facts

African Pepper Soup(Chicken)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 283Calories from Fat 153

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 17g26%

Saturated Fat 5g25%

Cholesterol 87mg29%

Sodium 285mg12%

Potassium 345mg10%

Total Carbohydrates 7g2%

Dietary Fiber 1g4%

Sugars 2g

Protein 22g44%

Vitamin A16.1%

Vitamin C11.1%

Calcium3.4%

Iron8.2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.