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How To Prepare Ofe Akwu

Our guest chef this week is Zoey Umeokeke also known as Chef Zoey Blaq. She is originally from Anambra State but grew up in Warri. She loves cooking and the science behind it. To her, every dish she makes is art – a combination of visual appeal and complimenting taste.  The motivation behind what she does is passion. She is very passionate about her work and the details that go into preparing each dish intricately. As a chef, she believes that what makes her stand out is the love of her profession which is evident with each bite.

Ofe akwu is a palm nut stew that is native to the southeastern (Igbo tribe) and Niger Delta areas of Nigeria.  It’s common to see Ofe Akwu served as a sauce for boiled rice or yam, but you can also enjoy it with boiled plantain and a lot more. It is known as Nigerian Banga soup in the Niger Delta and commonly eaten with various fufu recipes: starch, pounded yam, semolina, garri, and cassava fufu. In the South-Eastern parts of Nigeria, banga soup is referred to as Ofe Akwu; Ofe means soup/stew and akwu means palm fruit.

OFE AKWU (BANGA STEW)

INGREDIENTS

One “paint” measure palm fruits aka Banga

One medium dried fish

Half a cup of ground dried crayfish

2kg assorted beef

One cup of blended pepper (yellow/red)

Two cups of shredded scent leaves

Maggi Naija Pot seasoning cubes

1 large onion

Salt to taste

PREPARATION 

How To Prepare Ofe Akwu Like a Pro

Wash and boil palm nut/Banga till it becomes soft

Clean and cook assorted beef with Maggi Naija Pot seasoning, salt and half the onions (cook till stock dries up)

Pound the palm nut in a mortar

Extract oil from the ground palm nut with hot water

Pour extracted palm nut oil into a pot and boil until it thickens (this can take up 40-50 minutes)

Add cooked assorted beef

Add blended crayfish, dry fish and pepper

Taste for seasoning and add more if required

Add sliced onions & scent leaf

Serve with boiled white rice

Please try this recipe at home and let us know how it turns out. We want to see your pictures and videos and we want to see how you make this delicious meal from scratch.

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