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DIY: Prepare mouth-watering Ofe Nsala (White Soup) with these quick and easy steps

Other thickeners like cocoyam paste, ground oats, and mashed Irish potatoes can be used to prepare your Ofe Nsala but the standard thickener is yam.
Nsala-Soup

OFE NSALA is a delicacy peculiar to the Igbo tribe of Nigeria, especially the people of Anambra state. It is regarded as white soup because palm oil is not used for the preparation. 

It is also commonly prepared for mothers who have just given birth. It is also rich in vitamin C which makes it an ideal food for the prevention and treatment of cold, cough and flu. 

To prepare your Ofe Nsala, you will need: 
6-8 slices of baby fist yam
1 teaspoon of uziza seeds
1 cup of sliced uziza leaves
2 medium sizes of smoked fish
2 tablespoons of ogiri
A handful of sliced utazi leaves
5 pieces of medium catfish
4 tablespoons of crayfish
Seasoning to taste
Pepper to taste 
Salt to taste  

HOW TO PREPARE WHITE SOUP (OFE NSALA)
1.    In a pot, bring your yam slices to a boil and cook till it’s soft. Mash with the aid of either a food processor or mortar and pestle to form a fine dough then set aside.
2.    Boil water and then add to the bowl containing your catfish, allow to sit for about 5 minutes for the slime to come out. Drain after and scrap out the slime with a knife.
3.    Blend your spices together, that is, your uziza seeds, ogiri and crayfish. Wash and slice your Uziza and Utazi leaves then set them aside.
4.    In a large pot on medium heat, add your catfish, seasoning, salt, dry pepper and add water to the level of the fish. Bring to a boil till almost done then add your yam dough (Pounded yam) in bits till it’s dissolved into the broth.
5.    Add your blended spice mix of ogiri, crayfish and uziza seeds. Stir well to combine and allow to simmer for 3 minutes. Taste for seasoning and adjust if necessary.
6.    After which, add your utazi and uziza leaves sparingly so that the leaves don’t overshadow the soup (remember it’s a light soup), stir into the soup, and allow to simmer for a couple of minutes then take off the heat.
7.    Serve with any swallow of your choice or eat alone like pepper soup.

NOTES: Other thickeners can still be used like cocoyam paste, ground oats, and mashed Irish potatoes but the standard thickener is yam.

Enjoy!

Source: FitNigerian