Okra soup

Last updated
Indonesian sayur oyong (okra soup) in clear light broth Sayur oyong.JPG
Indonesian sayur oyong (okra soup) in clear light broth

Okra or Okro soup is prepared using the edible green seed pods of the okra flowering plant as a primary ingredient. Other vegetables can be added to the soup as well, such as ewedu, kerenkere, or Ugu leaf. Depending on the specific variant being prepared, okra soup can have a clear broth or be deep green in colour, much like the okra plant itself. Okra (and, by extension, okra soup) can have a slippery or "slimy" mouthfeel. The edible green seed pods can also be used in other stews and soups, such as the American dish gumbo. [1]

Contents

Nigeria

In Nigeria, okra soup is a delicacy and is popular amongst Yorubas, Igbos, Efiks, Hausas, and other Nigerian ethnic groups. [2] In Yoruba, it is referred to as obe lla . [3] [4] [5] [6]

China

Chinese okra soup is a "country style dish often served at family meals". [7] Chinese okra differs significantly from the varieties of okra commonly available in the West.

Indonesia

In Indonesian cuisine, okra soup is called sayur oyong. It is usually served in clear chicken broth with rice vermicelli (bihun) or mung bean vermicelli (sohun), with slices of bakso (ground beef surimi).

Japan

In Japanese cuisine, okra and nagaimo are usually used as an addition or variation to miso soup.

United States

In the United States, the first recipe for okra soup was published in 1824 in the book The Virginia Housewife. [8] [9] After this initial publication, okra soup was commonly included in American cookbooks. [8] In the late 1800s, okra soup recipes were commonly published in The New York Times . [10] American okra soup can be prepared using canned, frozen, or fresh okra. [11] It is a traditional soup in Savannah, Georgia and Charleston, South Carolina. [12]

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Dashi</i> Family of stocks used in Japanese cuisine

Dashi is a family of stocks used in Japanese cuisine. Dashi forms the base for miso soup, clear broth soup, noodle broth soup, and many simmering liquids to accentuate the savory flavor known as umami. Dashi is also mixed into the flour base of some grilled foods like okonomiyaki and takoyaki.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gumbo</span> Louisianan stew

Gumbo is a stew that is popular in the U.S. state of Louisiana, and is the official state cuisine. Gumbo consists primarily of a strongly flavored stock, meat or shellfish, a thickener, and the Creole "holy trinity" – celery, bell peppers, and onions. Gumbo is often categorized by the type of thickener used, whether okra or filé powder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fufu</span> Dough-like food in African cuisine

Fufu is a pounded meal found in West African cuisine. It is a Twi word that originates from the Akans in Ghana. The word has been expanded to include several variations of the pounded meal found in other African countries including Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia, Cote D'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Benin, Togo, Nigeria, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, Angola and Gabon. It also includes variations in the Greater Antilles, where African culinary influence is high.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Okra</span> Species of edible plant

Okra, Abelmoschus esculentus, known in some English-speaking countries as lady's fingers, is a flowering plant in the mallow family native to East Africa. It has edible green seed pods. Cultivated in tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate regions around the world, okra is used in the cuisines of many countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ugali</span> Type of maize meal made in Africa

Ugali, also known as posho, nsima, and other names, is a type of corn meal made from maize or corn flour in several countries in Africa. It is cooked in boiling water or milk until it reaches a stiff or firm dough-like consistency. In 2017, the dish was added to the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, one of a few foods in the list.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soto ayam</span> Indonesian chicken soup

Soto ayam is a traditional Indonesian dish with ingredients such as chicken, lontong, noodles, and rice vermicelli. Soto ayam is popular in Singapore, Malaysia and Suriname. Turmeric is added as one of its main ingredients which makes the yellow chicken broth. It is one of the most popular variants of soto, a traditional soup commonly found in Indonesian cuisine. Besides chicken and vermicelli can also be served with hard-boiled eggs, slices of fried potatoes, and Chinese celery leaves. Fried shallots are usually added as a garnish. Coconut milk (santan) is also used as an additional ingredient. Koya, a powder of mixed prawn crackers with fried garlic, or sambal is a common topping. Krupuk or emping is also a common topping. Lalapan is usually served as a side dish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Egusi</span> Type of seed commonly found in West African cuisine

Egusi (Yoruba) is the name for the protein-rich seeds of certain cucurbitaceous plants, which, after being dried and ground, are used as a major ingredient in West African cuisine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Noodle soup</span> Variety of soups with noodles and other ingredients served in a light broth

Noodle soup refers to a variety of soups with noodles and other ingredients served in a light broth. Noodle soup is a common dish across East Asia, Southeast Asia and the Himalayan states of South Asia. Various types of noodles are used, such as rice noodles, wheat noodles and egg noodles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ogbono soup</span> Nigerian soup dish

Ogbono soup is a Nigerian dish made with ground dry ogbono seeds. Ogbono seeds are originated and were first grown in Southern Nigeria with considerable local variation. According to research by Chris Chinaka and J.C. Obiefuna, Ogbono is an indigenous forest tree associated with plants classified as 'non-timber forest products. It goes by various indigenous names among Nigerians. Common use of the word “ogbono” in general Nigerian parlance stems from the Igbo name for the word. Among the Nupe, it is called 'pekpeara', 'ogwi' in Bini, 'uyo' in Efik, and 'oro' or ‘apon’ in Yoruba. Although ogbono and ugiri, the Igbo name for bush-mango, are very similar indeed and often regarded as equivalents, there is technically a distinction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peanut stew</span> Stew in West African cuisine

Peanut stew or groundnut stew, also known as maafe, sauce d'arachide (French) or tigadèguèna is a stew that is a staple food in Western Africa. It originates from the Mandinka and Bambara people of Mali.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nigerian cuisine</span> Culinary traditions of Nigeria

Nigerian cuisine consists of dishes or food items from the hundreds of Native African ethnic groups that comprises Nigeria. Like other West African cuisines, it uses spices and herbs with palm oil or groundnut oil to create deeply flavored sauces and soups.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soup</span> Primarily liquid food

Soup is a primarily liquid food, generally served warm or hot, that is made by combining ingredients of meat or vegetables with stock, milk, or water. Hot soups are additionally characterized by boiling solid ingredients in liquids in a pot until the flavors are extracted, forming a broth. Soups are similar to stews, and in some cases there may not be a clear distinction between the two; however, soups generally have more liquid (broth) than stews.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cheese soup</span> Type of soup

Cheese soup is a type of soup prepared using cheese as a primary ingredient, along with milk, broth and/or stock to form its basis. Various additional ingredients are used in its preparation, and various types and styles of cheese soup exist. It is a part of some cuisines in the world, such as American, Colombian, Mexican, Swiss, French, and Tibetan cuisines. Mass-produced cheese soups may be prepared with the addition of food additives to preserve them and enhance flavor. A list of cheese soups is included in this article.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Palm nut soup</span> Palm nut soup

Palm nut soup or banga is a soup made from palm fruit common in the Cameroonian, Ghanaian, Nigerian, Democratic Republic of Congo and Ivorian communities. The soup is made from a palm cream or palm nut base with stewed marinated meats, smoked dried fish, and aromatics. It is often eaten with starch, fufu, omotuo, banku, fonio, or rice. The use of the palm fruit in cooking is significant in Ivorian, Cameronian, Nigerian, Ghanaian, Liberian and other West and Central African cuisine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carrot soup</span> Soup prepared with carrot as a primary ingredient

Carrot soup is a soup prepared with carrot as a primary ingredient. It can be prepared as a cream- or broth-style soup. Additional vegetables, root vegetables and various other ingredients can be used in its preparation. It may be served hot or cold, and several recipes exist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Afang soup</span> Vegetables soup originating from southern Nigeria

Afang soup, is a vegetable soup that originates from the Ibibio People of Akwa Ibom in Southern Nigeria. They share this soup with their neighbors the [Efik] people of [Efik Tribe] in Calabar, Cross River It is a dish popularly known by Nigerians and also some parts of Africa. It is especially popular among the Ibibio and the Anang people of Akwa Ibom and Cross River state who have adopted this cuisine as part of their cultural identity. It's served at homes and also sometimes in ceremonies such as weddings, burials, festivals etc. mostly in the southern part of Nigeria. Afang soup is very nutritious and the cost of preparation can be adaptable based on family needs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vegetable soup</span> Type of soup containing vegetables

Vegetable soup is a common soup prepared using vegetables and leaf vegetables as primary ingredients. It dates to ancient history, and is a mass-produced food product in contemporary times.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pounded yam</span> Yam-based staple food from West Africa

Pounded yam or Iyán (Yoruba) or Ruam-Yo (Tiv) is a Nigerian swallow food native to the Yoruba, Igbo Edo, Tiv and Ebira ethnic groups. It is a traditional food prepared by pounding boiled yam with a mortar and pestle. Pounded yam is similar to mashed potatoes but heavier in consistency. It is a smooth and tasty delicacy traditionally eaten with the hands.

References

  1. Walker, S.S. (2001). African Roots/American Cultures: Africa in the Creation of the Americas. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. p. 64. ISBN   978-0-7425-0165-2.
  2. Ukegbu, Kavachi Michelle (2021). The art of fufu : a guide to the culture and flavors of a West African tradition. Grubido. Austin, Texas. ISBN   978-1-62634-596-6. OCLC   1241244901.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  3. Badiru, I.; Badiru, D. (2013). Isi Cookbook: Collection of Easy Nigerian Recipes. iUniverse. ISBN   978-1-4759-7671-7.
  4. Onyeakagbu, Adaobi (2021-12-22). "How to cook the Igbo-Ora recipe, Ilasa soup". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2022-06-29.
  5. "Enjoy your amala with ilasa soup". Tribune Online. 2018-06-02. Retrieved 2022-06-29.
  6. "Foods, herbs to manage female infertility". Punch Newspapers. 2021-10-17. Retrieved 2022-06-29.
  7. Aksomboon, K.; Aksomboon, S.; Hiranaga, D.; (Restaurant), Siam Cuisine (1989). Thai Cooking from the Siam Cuisine Restaurant. North Atlantic Books. p. 60. ISBN   978-1-55643-074-9.
  8. 1 2 Smith, A.F. (2013). Food and Drink in American History: A "Full Course" Encyclopedia [3 Volumes]: A "Full Course" Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO. p. 424. ISBN   978-1-61069-233-5.
  9. Smith, A.F. (2007). The Oxford Companion to American Food and Drink. Oxford Companions. Oxford University Press, USA. p. 551. ISBN   978-0-19-530796-2.
  10. Hesser, A. (2010). The Essential New York Times Cookbook: Classic Recipes for a New Century. W. W. Norton. ISBN   978-0-393-24767-1.
  11. The Picayune Creole Cook Book. Times-Picayune publishing Company. 1922. p. 18.
  12. Deen, P.; Clark, M. (2011). Paula Deen's Southern Cooking Bible: The New Classic Guide to Delicious Dishes with More Than 300 Recipes. Simon & Schuster. ISBN   978-1-4165-6407-2.

Further reading