Cookbook:Margi Special (Nigerian Fish and Hibiscus Soup)

Margi special is a soup from the people of Adamawa state, Nigeria. It is made with fresh fish, tomatoes, spinach, and pepper. It is nutritious, affordable, and accessible. It can be served with eba, semovita, or any swallow of your choice.

Ingredients

 * Potash
 * Water
 * Fresh fish
 * Scotch bonnet or habanero chile pepper
 * Tatashe (red bell pepper)
 * Yakuwa (roselle leaves)
 * Spinach
 * Onions, sliced
 * Tomato paste
 * Salt
 * Seasoning/stock cube
 * Ground crayfish
 * Palm oil or groundnut oil

Procedure

 * 1) Dissolve potash in water to make lime water.
 * 2) Wash the fish with lime water, and cut into large pieces. Wash again with cold water.
 * 3) Grind the chile pepper and tatashe to a paste.
 * 4) Soak the yakuwa leaves in hot water to get rid of the sourness. Drain.
 * 5) Combine fish pieces, pepper paste, yakuwa leaves, spinach, onions, and tomato paste in a large pot. Cover with water, and bring to a simmer.
 * 6) Season with salt, seasoning cube, ground crayfish, and oil. Simmer until the fish is cooked.
 * 7) Serve with the swallow of your choice.