How to Make Gbegiri Soup (Abula)

Gbegiri soup is a delicious and nutritious soup that originates from the Yoruba people of Nigeria. It is made from peeled and cooked beans, blended into a smooth paste and seasoned with palm oil, crayfish, pepper, salt and other spices. Gbegiri soup is often served with ewedu soup (jute leaves soup) and buka stew (a spicy tomato-based stew) to make a dish called abula. Abula is usually eaten with amala (yam flour swallow) or tuwo (corn or rice flour swallow), and accompanied by meat or fish.

Gbegiri soup is one of the most popular soups in Nigeria, especially in the southwestern region where it originated. It is also commonly served at restaurants known as buka, where customers can enjoy a hearty and satisfying meal. Gbegiri soup has a light orange color and a velvety texture that makes it easy to swallow. It also has a mild flavor that complements the other components of abula.

In this article, we will show you how to make gbegiri soup the easy way, using simple ingredients and steps. We will also share some tips and tricks to make your gbegiri soup more delicious and authentic. Whether you are a beginner or an expert cook, you will find this guide helpful and informative.

Ingredients for Gbegiri Soup

To make gbegiri soup, you will need the following ingredients:

• 2 cups of brown beans or honey beans (peeled)
• 1/4 cup of palm oil
• 2 tablespoons of ground crayfish
• 1 tablespoon of locust beans (iru)
• 1 habanero pepper (crushed or blended)
• 2 stock cubes
• Salt to taste
• Water or meat stock
• Optional: assorted meat or fish, such as beef, goat, turkey, chicken, shaki (tripe), ponmo (cow skin), smoked fish or dried fish

Steps to Make Gbegiri Soup

Follow these steps to make gbegiri soup:

1. Rinse the peeled beans several times until the water runs clear. Then soak them in water for about an hour to soften them.
2. Transfer the beans to a pot and add enough water to cover them. Cook on medium-high heat until the beans are very soft and mushy, about 40 minutes. You can also use a pressure cooker to speed up the process.
3. Drain the beans and mash them with a wooden spoon or a blender until you have a smooth paste. You can add some water or meat stock if the paste is too thick.
4. In another pot, heat the palm oil on low heat until it melts. Then add the crayfish, locust beans, pepper, stock cubes and salt and stir well.
5. Add the bean paste to the palm oil mixture and stir well to combine. Add more water or meat stock if the soup is too thick. Adjust the seasoning if needed.
6. Simmer the soup on low heat for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
7. If you are using meat or fish, cook them separately in water with salt and stock cubes until tender. Then add them to the soup and simmer for another 10 minutes.
8. Your gbegiri soup is ready! Serve it hot with amala, tuwo, ewedu soup and buka stew.

Tips and Tricks for Making Gbegiri Soup

Here are some tips and tricks for making gbegiri soup:

• To peel the beans easily, soak them in hot water for about 10 minutes, then rub them between your palms to remove the skins. You can also use a blender to peel them by pulsing them briefly with some water.
• To make your gbegiri soup more flavorful, you can add some onion, garlic, ginger or other spices to the palm oil mixture before adding the bean paste.
• To make your gbegiri soup more colorful, you can add some red bell pepper or tomato paste to the palm oil mixture before adding the bean paste.
• To make your gbegiri soup more creamy, you can add some coconut milk or evaporated milk to the bean paste before adding it to the palm oil mixture.
• To store your gbegiri soup, let it cool completely and then refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 3 months.

Gbegiri soup is a delicious Nigerian bean soup that is easy to make and nutritious. It is often served with amala, tuwo, ewedu soup and buka stew as a complete meal. You can customize your gbegiri soup by adding different types of meat or fish, spices or vegetables. Try this recipe today and enjoy a taste of Nigeria!