Chicken with Egusi

Description

This chicken soup is thickened with flour ground from seeds of a melon or gourd (species of cucurbitaceae) called egusi.

Ingredients

• 2 – 3 tbsp palm oil, peanut oil, or other oil for frying chicken
• 1 chicken cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 – 3 onions, chopped
• 2 or more cups of chicken broth or chicken stock, or bouillon cubes
• 2 tomatoes, or canned tomatoes, or tomato paste or tomato sauce
• 1 cup egusi seeds (or substitute), roasted and ground
• several sprigs of parsley, or similar
• water
• cayenne pepper or red pepper, black pepper, salt

Directions

1. Heat the oil in a skillet.
2. Fry the chicken and onions until the chicken is well browned, but not done.
3. As chicken is browning, bring chicken broth or stock to a slow boil in a large pot.
4. Stir in tomatoes.
5. Add egusi and stir until smooth.
6. Allow to cook several minutes.
7. Add chicken and onions to broth.
8. Reduce heat and simmer until chicken is done.
9. Add parsley and seasonings to taste.
10. Add water if needed, to make soup thinner as desired.
11. Serve with fufu or rice.