EFO RIRO RECIPE

Efo Riro needs no introduction as it’s one of the most popular vegetable soups in Nigeria and an absolute favourite of the Yorubas. It’s quite an easy dish to prepare, as long as you follow the major instructions and requirements.

Ingredients

• Ogwimeh Oven baked catfish.
• Green Vegetable (Shoko Oko)
• Lots of Onions 
• Lots of locust beans (Iru)
• Long-dried pepper
• Scotch bonnet (small pepper)
• Palm Oil
• Assorted meats of your choice (Shaki, Kpomo, cow leg, smoked turkey or beef)
• Eja Kika (Smoked Panla fish)
• Raw/cooked prawns and smoked prawns (Optional)
• Seasoning cubes of your choice.
• Ground Crayfish
• Salt to taste

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How to Prepare

• First, get your core ingredients ready. Efo Riro is a fast-cooking dish, so you’ll need to be proactive.
• Season your assorted meats, add sliced onions, and boil on medium heat. Remember to boil the tougher meats first, then add the softer ones. 
• Slice your washed vegetables and blanch them with hot water, be careful not to soak in hot water for too long to retain the nutrients.
• Blend the scotch bonnets and long dried peppers and onion coarsely and set aside.
• Into a large pot, add the palm oil, and leave to heat up on medium heat for 2 minutes. 
• Then add onions, and fry.
• Then add the locust beans, and fry to release the flavor for another minute.
• Add the coarse blended mixture and seasoning cubes, let that fry for 15-20 minutes thereabouts or until the pepper dries out and the size reduces by almost half.
• Add a bit of the meat stock, if you haven’t got stock, just add water, and be careful not to add too much. Just one cup should do.
• Let it boil for 2-3 minutes to combine, then add the assorted meats, prawns, and crayfish.
• Add the Stockfish (previously soaked in hot water) and Ogwimeh Oven baked catfish, boil till tender, and set aside.
• Stir and taste, add seasoning if required. Leave to cook for a further 10 minutes.
• Now add the blanched vegetables, stir thoroughly…
• Reduce the heat at this time, leave to simmer for a further 5 minutes. 
• Switch the heat off and it’s ready to serve.
• Serve with any “swallow” of your choice. Efo Riro is also perfect with white rice, boiled yam, and plantain.