As I sit down to share the story of this pepper soup dish from Cameroon, I am instantly transported back to my childhood, surrounded by loved ones and the unmistakable aroma of this beloved dish. For me, Pepper soup is more than just a meal, it brings people together and warms the heart. In this article, I will be telling you the ingredients and the uses of this dish.
Ingredients
- 10 pounds of cow meat (or any meat of your choice) or chicken
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 2 tablespoon of chicken bouillon powder (for flavor)
- 1 medium onion
- Parsley (4 sprigs)
- Garlic (about 10 cloves)
- 4 inches ginger root
- ½ cup njangsa
- 1 teaspoon ground white pepper
- 4 cubes of Maggi
- 2 scotch bonnet peppers
- 1 teaspoon of black pepper
Instructions
- Rinse all the meat and add it to a pot with the cubes of maggi. Add enough water to the pot to completely cover the meats.
- Place the pot on high heat and cover it with the lid tilted on one side to prevent boiling over. Let it boil for 10 minutes.
- As the meat boils, combine the onion (cut into chunks), garlic, ginger, parsley, scotch bonnet peppers and njangsa. Add enough water to blend into a paste.
- Add the seasoning blends into the meats and add the salt and the chicken bouillon powder. Let it simmer together until the meats are all tender. Which may take about an hour.
- Taste the broth and adjust the salt as needed. Add the ground white pepper and stir to combine. Let it simmer for about 2 minutes.
A piece of Cameroon on a plate. Photo Credit: Jessie Ngowoh
How to serve
Serve pepper soup while it is hot, in a bowl with as many meat particles. Pepper soup can be eaten with boiled plantains, potatoes, white yam, or rice and can even be eaten empty.
Importance of Pepper soup
Pepper soup is usually served during cold periods because of its spiciness and how it is served hot. It is not only a dish, but a form of medication usually given to people who are sick with a fever or a cold.
Esperance Amuri, Intern