Ogbono Soup and Pounded Yam

Name: Ogbono Soup and Pounded Yam
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 65 min
Total time: 75 min
Ingredients: 1-2 pounds meat (, (oxtail , stew beef , tripe and kpomo (cow skin) )); 1 cup smoked fish; 1 cup diced onion; ½ cup ground Crayfish; 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon ( (adjust to taste bud)); 3 cups chopped greens ((spinach, collard greens, kale, callaloo (African greens) )); 1/4 – ⅓ cup palm oil.; 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes; ½ cup ground egusi (, optional); 1/2 cup ground ogbono; Salt and pepper to taste; 2-3 pounds African (Ghana yams)

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Author: Imma Published:8/17/2018Updated:5/11/2021

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Ogbono Soup and Pounded Yam from Scratch – A tasty and hearty Nigerian soup made from Ogbono seeds (bush mango seeds) added with pre-cooked meat. And paired with smooth, tasty and filling Pounded Yam for an extraordinary African meal experience!

Ogbono soup is a hate or love it soup. No, I didn’t grow up eating it but quickly fell in love with it after moving to the U.S. It’s appeal? Chunks of meat and fish. Annnd it’s comforting and hearty.

But the draw? Yes, that’s the appeal for most folks. I know my son can’t eat this – I tell him he doesn’t know what he is missing.

So when my cousin brought home some ogbono seeds (a gift from his friend), I knew for sure what to do with it. It would only befitting to whip up a good Ogbono Soup paired with pounded yams shaped into bite-sized dumplings. I don’t know about you, but ever since I watched a documentary on TV about commercialized powdered yams, I started being more conscious about my yams.

I try as much as possible to make my own food from scratch. Not quite there yet. Still a work in progress.

This pounded yam is *THE* real deal. Wholesome yams made from scratch using a food processor. Comes together effortlessly.

What is ogbono made of?

For those few who aren’t familiar with Ogbono seeds, they are often times called wild mango, African mango, bush mango and dika. The trees bear edible mango-like fruits and the seeds (also called dika nuts) and are basically like nuts that can be eaten raw or roasted. Seriously I don’t know anyone who eats this as a snack but some say they do.

Who am I to say otherwise.

These are most often ground and used as a thickening and flavoring agent in soups and stews. It has a distinct aroma to it. Some find it appealing while others don’t.

Don’t ask my son. I do find them quite appealing. To each their own, I say.

How to make ogbono soup?

There are a couple of ways to prepare Ogbono Soup. Some like it plain with no added veggies (like those served for babies) and others love some bite to it like chunks of veggies and proteins.

I’m a carnivore – lots of protein. If meat is not your thing, go with smoked fish and shrimp. Yes, yes yes.

Whatever rocks your boat, this Ogbono Soup is sure to deliver a plateful of great flavors in every serving.

And oh, do you know that this Ogbono soup reheats well? Let it rest overnight and reheat the following day. You’ll be surprised at how the flavors have melded together. Pair it with some pounded yams or other choices of fufu for a more indulgent meal!

Watch How To Make It

Nutrition Facts

Ogbono Soup and Pounded Yam

Amount Per Serving

Calories 440 Calories from Fat 63

% Daily Value*

Fat 7g11%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Cholesterol 114mg38%

Sodium 223mg10%

Potassium 2245mg64%

Carbohydrates 55g18%

Fiber 9g38%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 38g76%

Vitamin A 2450IU49%

Vitamin C 39.5mg48%

Calcium 86mg9%

Iron 3.2mg18%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

How to Make Ogbono and Pounded Yam From Scratch

Peel the yam with a sharp knife, peeling away from your body carefully. Draw the paring knife down the body of the yam, being careful not to remove too much of the yam during the process. Look for any spoiled spots, such as bruising and discoloration, in the yam as you peel. Remove the spots away with the tip of the knife.

Cut into large chunks and wash immediately to prevent discoloration and leave them in cool water until ready to use. Add yams in a medium pot with water- enough to barely cover the yams salt to taste , if desired.

Boil until tender , remove from heat and immediately drain yams thoroughly in a colander. Reserve some water from the yams to use for blending.

Add pounded yams into food processor. Start blending then pulse every 20-30 seconds to check for smoothness. I use a spoon to move yam around the food processor as necessary to ensure even blending. Add about 2 tablespoons or more reserved water as needed. You achieve desired texture. Pounded yam should be stretchy and soft.

Wrap in a parchment paper( for the health conscious or plastic wrap). Serve with ogbono soup (recipe below).

In medium–sized saucepan, boil meat, season with salt and pepper until tender (approximately 30-60 minutes depending on the choice of meat). You can shorten this process in half by using a pressure cooker.

Boil the cow skin and tripe together or you may do so separately until tender. Use your best judgement. Remove cow skin, tripe and add to the pot of boiled meat. Add smoked fish , if using any. Be sure to have enough stock from the meat (about 3-4 cups).

Mix ground ogbono with red oil.

Then add to the pot of boiled meat. Followed by crayfish and scotch bonnet pepper.

Bring to a boil. Simmer and let it cook for about 10 minutes or more. Add chicken bouillon or cubes, if desired.

Add more stock water as needed to get to desired thickness. Then add spinach cook for another 2-3 minutes, turn stove off and serve piping hot.