Egusi Soup

Name: Egusi Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 65 min
Total time: 80 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 0.75 cup pumpkin seeds; 1.5 pounds cubed beef stew meat; salt to taste; 0.5 cup peanut oil; 2 large tomatoes, chopped; 1 small onion, chopped; 2 habanero peppers, seeded and minced; 2 pounds fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined; 18 ounces tomato sauce; 1.5 cups water; 3 tablespoons tomato paste; 1 pound fresh spinach, washed and chopped

Description: Egusi soup, is a West African seafood dish with flavorful cubes of beef and shrimp cooked with spinach and ground egusi seeds in a spicy tomato base.

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 65

Ingredients

0.75 cup pumpkin seeds
1.5 pounds cubed beef stew meat
salt to taste
0.5 cup peanut oil
2 large tomatoes, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
2 habanero peppers, seeded and minced
2 pounds fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
18 ounces tomato sauce
1.5 cups water
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1 pound fresh spinach, washed and chopped

Instructions

Place seeds in a blender; blend until mixture is powdery, 30 to 40 seconds. Set aside.
Cut beef into bite-sized cubes; season with salt.
Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Cook beef in hot oil until brown but not cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes.
Place tomatoes, onion, and peppers in a blender; blend until smooth, about 30 seconds. Stir tomato mixture into beef; reduce heat to medium-low and cover. Cook until meat is tender, 40 to 50 minutes.
Add shrimp, tomato sauce, water, and tomato paste; simmer for 10 minutes.
Stir in spinach and powdered seeds. Continue simmering for 10 more minutes.