Gbegiri soup is a Yoruba (Western Nigerian) soup prepared with beans. It can be eaten alone with Amala/Eba or combined with Ewedu soup; it depends on your preference. This week, I will only explain how to prepare Gbegiri soup.
Ingredients for Gbegiri Soup
1. 150g of Black Eyed or Brown Beans
2. 1 small smoked Mackerel/Titus
3. Crayfish
4. 1 big stock cube
5. 1 cooking spoon of palm oil
6. Pepper and salt (to taste)
Cooking Directions
1. Remove the beans coat and soak the beans for about 3 hours. This soaking makes the beans soft so that it cooks in less time. If you are using peeled and dried beans, you will need to soak it overnight.
2. Prepare other ingredients: grind the crayfish and pepper.
3. Put the peeled and soaked beans into a pot. Pour water to cover the beans and start cooking at medium heat.
4. Cook the beans till they become so soft that it practically melts when you mash it with your spoon. This takes about 1 hour.
5. Mash the very soft beans with a potato masher. You can also allow it cool for 10 minutes then blend it with your kitchen blender for a very smooth consistency.
6. Add the smoked fish, salt, pepper, crayfish, stock cube and palm oil.
7. Cover the pot and cook at medium heat for about 5 minutes or till the oil blends with the rest of the ingredients. This is when the oil changes from red to yellow.
8. Serve hot with Ewedu Soup/Stew and eat with Amala or Eba.
Nutritional Benefits of Eating Gbegiri Soup
Beans are loaded with nutrients that our bodies crave:
1. B Vitamins: necessary for healthy brain and nerve cells, for normal functioning of the skin, nerves and digestive system.
2. Protein: necessary for the growth and repair of body tissues
3. Potassium: helps reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke.
4. Iron: necessary for blood formation
Next week, I will discuss how to prepare Ewedu soup and its nutritional benefits.
About the Writer: Ejura Salihu is a writer and an editor at Connect Nigeria. She is passionate about Nigeria and all things Nigerian. Find her on twitter @icyquin_msc
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This article was first published on 8th April 2015 and updated on May 11th, 2015 at 3:06 pm
ejura
Ejura Salihu is an Anatomist, Writer and Editor. She is currently the Editor-in-chief for Connect Nigeria. You can contact her via email: ejurasalihu24@gmail.com or follow her on twitter @icyquin_msc
Comments (1)
Gbegiri soup is not difficult to prepare, I always thought it was difficult and today your article made it too simple. Thanks alot I’ll give it a try!