Cookbook:Nigerian Fisherman Soup (Efere Ndek Iyak)

Nigerian fisherman soup, called efere ndek iyak in the Efik language, is a common dish among the Efik people of Nigeria. It is made with fish and yam and can be served with any kind of Nigerian swallow (e.g. eba, amala, fufu, semo, tuwo), but it is preferably eaten with pounded yam.

Ingredients

 * Catfish
 * Snails (optional)
 * Ngolo (optional)
 * Prawns (optional)
 * Yam, peeled and cut into pieces
 * Stockfish
 * Fresh pepper
 * Onion
 * Salt
 * Stock cube
 * Cameroon pepper (optional)
 * Uziza seeds
 * Palm oil
 * Okra, cleaned
 * Periwinkle
 * Uziza leaves, shredded

Equipment

 * Bowl
 * Cooking pot
 * Stovetop
 * Knife
 * Chef spoon

Procedure

 * 1) Wash the catfish and remove the gills. Cut the flesh into pieces.
 * 2) Clean the prawns, snails, and ngolo, if using.
 * 3) Boil the yam and pound it with a mortar and pestle until smooth.
 * 4) Combine the snails, stockfish, catfish, fresh pepper, and onion in a pot. Season with salt, stock cube, cameroon pepper, and uziza seed. Cover with water, and simmer for 5 minutes.
 * 5) Remove both fish and flake into pieces.
 * 6) Add the palm oil and pounded yam to the soup. Simmer until thickened. Add back the flaked fish.
 * 7) Mix in the prawns, okra, and periwinkles. Simmer for 2–3 minutes.
 * 8) Mix in the uziza leaves. Cover and simmer for 2 minutes.
 * 9) Serve hot with any Nigerian swallow.