HOW TO PREPARE OHA SOUP A NIGERIAN MEAL(with health benefits)

HOW TO PREPARE OHA SOUP A NIGERIAN MEAL

Oha soup is a delicious eastern Nigeria soup. It is one of those native soups that you taste and just can't forget.
 This rich and nutritious soup can be thickened with cocoyam paste, Achi,  Egusi or Ofor.

  
 INGREDIENTS FOR OHA SOUP
   
 **1 bunch Ohaleaves  
**A handful of Uziza leaves or a spoonful of uziza seeds (optional, but a lot of people add it)
**8 medium sized Cocoyam(ede ofe)
**Meat of choice (chicken, ponmo(cow's skin),shaki(tripe), beef, goat meat or turkey) 
**1 large Stock fish head
**Dry fish (as desired)
**1 handful Crayfish 
**2 cooking spoonful Palm oil 
**1 tablespoonful Ogiri  or Iru (locust beans)
**2  seasoning cubes or 2 tablespoonful seasoning powder
**Pepper to taste(I like to use the yellow fresh pepper because of it's distinct aroma, but the red will do just fine) 
**Salt to taste

PREPARATION METHOD

1.  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, peel of the brown skin and pound the cocoyam in a mortar and pestle.
This can also be done in a blender to get a soft stretchy paste.

2. Clean the dry fish and stock fish with hot water (to remove dirt and sands that may be on the oily skin of the fish). Then rinse and leave to soak in the hot water to tenderize it, then set aside for later use. 

3. Grind the crayfish, ogiri (iru) and the pepper together and set aside for later use. 

4.  Tear up the Uha leaves and set aside. Also slice the uziza leaves or Grind the uziza seeds (if you're using any).

 5.  Clean your meat of choice and place in a pot. Add the onions, seasoning cubes and salt to taste. Let it boil in it's juice for 10 minutes, then add the soaked dry fish and stock fish, add extra water and cook until tender. 

6. Add the palm oil, the ground ogiri/iru, ground crayfish, ground pepper and the cocoyam paste or any other thickener you choose to use. 
Stir well and leave to simmer until the cocoyam dissolves and the soup is thickened. 

7.  Add the sliced uzizaleaves or uziza seeds, boil for about 1 minute and finally add the shredded Oha leaves and salt to taste, then simmer for 3 minutes, put off the heat.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF OHA SOUP

1.   It contains Vitamin B2 which helps in the maintenance of a healthy mucus membrane and skin.

2.   It contains Folic acid which helps in the formation of red blood cell in the body.

3.   It contains Vitamin B1 which helps in the replacement of dead tissue in the body.

4.   Vitamins in Bitter leaf includes;Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vit.B1 and Vit.B2.

5.   It helps the circulation of blood in the mucous membrane.