Oha Soup is a delicious Soup recipe from the eastern part of Nigeria. It is one of those native Igbo soups that you taste and just can’t forget.
The soup is made by cooking a combination of meats, fish, and vegetables in a flavorful broth, and it is typically served with a starchy side dish to make a complete meal.
Preparing Oha soup can seem daunting at first, but with the right ingredients and a bit of patience, you can create a delicious and authentic dish that will delight your taste buds.
In this guide, we will walk you through the process of making Oha soup, from gathering the ingredients and preparing the broth to cook the meats, fish, and vegetables, and finally, serving the soup with a starchy side dish.
Ingredients for Oha Soup
Vegetable: Ora leaves
8 small cocoyam or Achi
3 cooking spoons of Red Palm Oil
Shaki (cow tripe)/ Beef/chicken
Dry Fish and Stock Fish
Chilli pepper
Salt(to taste)
2 Stock cubes
1 teaspoon Ogiri Igbo
Seasoning
Palm oil
Water
Ora (Oha) is a unique vegetable hence does not have a good alternative.
If you cannot buy cocoyam where you live, you can use cocoyam flour. An alternative to cocoa flour is potato flour.
Ogiri Igbo is optional. It gives Ora Soup a traditional taste.
Oha Soup Preparation
Grind the crayfish and pepper and set aside.
Wash and boil the cocoyam corms till soft. Remove the peels and use a mortar and pestle to pound the cocoyam to a smooth paste.
Cut the Ora (Oha) leaves into tiny pieces using your fingers. By doing this it prevent the vegetable from becoming darker in color. This happens when you cut the ora leaves with a knife.
Oha Soup Recipe
Boil the Shaki (cow tripe), stock fish, and dry fish in 1 litre of water till they are well done. The first sign of a done Shaki is that the cuts will start curling on themselves.
Wash the beef and add to the pot of Shaki etc., and continue cooking. Add 2 stock cubes and cook for 5 minutes when the meat is done.
Add the pepper, Ogiri Igbo and ground crayfish and cook for 10 minutes. Add the cocoyam paste in small lumps and then the palm oil.
Cover the pot and leave to cook on high heat till all the cocoyam lumps have dissolved. You can add more water if you feel that the soup is too thick.
Add the (Oha) leaves and leave to cook for about 5 minutes.
Add salt to taste, stir, and the soup is ready!
How to make Oha Soup with Uziza leaves and Achi
Ingredients
Oha leaves
A handful of Uziza leaves or a spoonful of Uziza seeds (optional)
8 medium-sized Cocoyam use 2 handfuls of Ofor or Achi as a substitute)
Meat of your choice Ponmo, shaky, beef, goat meat
1 large Stock fish head
Dried fish
1 handful Crayfish
2 cooking spoonfuls of Palm oil
1 tablespoonful of Ogiri/Okpei or Iru
2 seasoning cubes
Pepper for spice
Salt to taste
SEE: Tastiest Nigerian Street Foods
Oha leaves with Uziza Recipe
Wash the cocoyam thoroughly with water to remove dirt and sand, then place in a pot, pour enough water to cover the cocoyam and boil until very tender.
Strain out the hot water to peel off the brown skin to pound the cocoyam in a mortar and pestle. However, you can also make use of a blender to get a soft, stretchy paste.
Clean and scrub the dried fish and stock fish with salt and hot water. Debone the fish, rinse and set aside for later use.
Tip: you can also leave the stock fish to soak in hot water to further tenderize it.
Grind the crayfish, ogiri and the pepper together and set aside for later use.
Tear up the Oha leaves and set them aside. Also, slice the Uziza leaves or grind the uziza seeds(if you’re using any).
Clean your meat of choice and place it in a pot. Add the onions, seasoning cubes and salt to taste.
Let it boil in it’s juice for a few minutes, then add the stock fish, add extra water and cook until tender.
When tender, add the cleaned, dried fish and leave to boil for 5 minutes
Add the palm oil, the ground ogiri/iru, ground crayfish, ground pepper and the cocoyam paste or any other thickener you choose to use.
Tip: if adding Uchi, grind it to powder and dissolve in lukewarm water before adding to the soup.
Stir well and leave to simmer until the cocoyam dissolves and the soup is thickened.
Add the sliced uziza leaves or ground uziza seeds(optional), boil for about 1 minute and finally add the shredded Oha leaves, adjust for salt, then simmer for 3 minutes, put off the heat , serve hot and enjoy.
Oha soup (Ofe oha) can be enjoyed with any ”swallow or bolus meals’ such as eba, amala, pounded yam, fufu, semolina or wheat meal.
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Serving Suggestions
Oha soup is typically served as a main dish and is often paired with a starch-based side to make a complete meal. Here are a few common serving suggestions for Oha soup:
Rice: Oha soup can be served over a bed of steamed white rice. The rice’s starchiness helps balance out the flavours of the soup and provides a comforting texture.
Fufu: Fufu is a traditional African staple food made from starchy root vegetables such as yam, cassava, or plantains. It is often served with soup and stews like Oha soup. Fufu can be enjoyed by molding it with your hands and dipping it into the soup.
Pounded Yam: Pounded yam is another popular option that can be served with Oha soup. Pounded yam is made by boiling yam until soft, then pounding it until smooth. It is often served with soups and stews, including Oha soup.
Garri: Garri is a popular West African food made from cassava, it is a great option as it can be easily prepared and it is a great companion to Oha soup.
Pottage: Pottage is a thick stew made from vegetables and grains, it can be served with Oha soup and it will be a great combination.
These are just a few ideas, but you can also try serving Oha soup with other types of starchy side dishes. The most important thing is to find something that you enjoy and that complements the flavours of the soup.
READ ALSO: How to cook Egusi soup in easy-to-follow recipes
Conclusion
In conclusion, Oha soup is a delicious and nutritious dish that is rich in flavor and tradition. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you will be able to make a delicious Oha soup in the comfort of your home.
Whether you are an experienced cook or just starting out, Oha soup is a great dish to try, as it is not only delicious, but it also provides a wide range of health benefits thanks to its high nutritional content.
In addition to its great taste and health benefits, Oha soup is a versatile dish that can be customized to suit your preferences.
Whether you prefer your soup to be mild or spicy, with more vegetables or more meat, there are many variations to choose from. So why not get creative in the kitchen and enjoy the process of making a delicious Oha soup.
