Ogbono Soup

Ingredients

 * one pound meat (beef, lamb, or goat) or chicken
 * cayenne pepper or red pepper
 * one cup palm oil, or any cooking oil
 * two or three tomatoes, peeled (if desired) and chopped
 * one chile pepper, cleaned and chopped
 * one onion, finely chopped
 * one-half cup ogbono, crushed
 * two Maggi® cubes dissolved in water, or a spoonful
 * one dozen okra pods, ends removed, whole or chopped
 * one piece dried, salted, or smoked fish
 * a large bunch spinach leaves
 * salt

Directions

 * 1) Rub the meat with the cayenne pepper and let it stand for about an hour.
 * 2) In a large pot, bring a few cups of water to a boil. Add the meat and cook it for several minutes. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer.
 * 3) In a skillet, heat most of the oil and fry the tomato, chile pepper, and onion until they are tender.
 * 4) Add the fried vegetables and the Maggi® cube water to the meat. Cover and continue to simmer on low heat.
 * 5) Heat the remaining oil in the skillet, stir in the ogbono, and fry it for a few minutes, stirring constantly to form a smooth paste.
 * 6) Add the ogbono paste to the meat and vegetable mixture. Stir to avoid forming lumbs.
 * 7) Add the okra and dried fish, shrimp, or prawns (if desired). Cover and cook a few minutes more. Add water if needed to obtain the desired consistency.
 * 8) Add spinach leaves or other greens. Adjust seasoning. Cover and cook until all is tender.