Catfish pepper soup which is popularly known as ‘point and kill’ in Nigeria, is one of the most delicious Nigerian soup.
It is popularly called “point and kill|” because when you go to a restaurant to order for a pepper soup, you will be taken to a fish pond for you to pick the fish you like and it will be killed in your presence. It will later be taken for preparation.
Apart from catfish pepper soup, there is also goat meat pepper soup. However, catfish pepper soup is widely ordered for at the restaurant and people from different tribes in Nigeria really love this particular pepper soup. It is a tasty and healthy delicacy prepared with local herbs.
Ingredients needed for preparation are:
1 medium-sized catfish
3 calabash Nut Meg seeds (Ehu /ariwo)
4 Habanero pepper or chilli pepper to taste
A few scent leaves
2 medium onions
Salt to taste
2 seasoning cube
Cooking direction
• Cut the catfish into 1 inch thick slices. Boil water and pour it on the fish, stir and remove immediately. This is done in order to toughen the skin of the fish so that it won’t fall apart during cooking.
• Remember that the ehu seed is the special ingredient for the catfish pepper soup so it must be done properly. This can be done by placing the seed in an old frying pan, roast it well and constantly stir it. Once it is done, you will get to perceive it because of its distinctive aroma.
Another method for you to know if it is done, pick the ehu seed, and try to remove the outer layer, if it comes off easily then it is done.
• Peel off the outer membrane from the ehu seed and grind with a dry mill.
• Cut the onions into tiny pieces
• Wash and pick the scent leaves and tear them up with your fingers into small pieces.
• Cut the onions into tiny pieces
Direction for cooking
• Place the pieces of fish in a pot and pour water that will cover the fish, add the seasoning cubes and boil it for some few minutes. This is needed for the fish to absorb the taste of the seasoning.
• Once the fish is well boiled and has mixed well with the seasoning then add the grounded ehu, scent leaves. Let it cook for another few minutes.
• Add your salt for taste and lower the heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes. Then your catfish pepper is ready.
Catfish pepper soup can be eaten with boiled white rice or boiled yam. It can also be taken along with a chilled drink. Try this cooking method at home and thank me later!
Photo credit : Sisi Yemmie
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