How to cook catfish paper

 

Catfish pepper soup is a popular Nigerian dish known for its spicy and flavorful taste. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to prepare it:

Ingredients:

- 1 medium-sized catfish (cleaned and cut into pieces)

- 2 tablespoons of pepper soup spice mix

- 2 tablespoons of ground crayfish (optional)

- 1 tablespoon of ground dry pepper or fresh Scotch Bonnet (ata rodo)

- 1 tablespoon of ground uziza seeds (optional)

- 1 medium onion (chopped)

- 2 cloves of garlic (minced)

- 1 small piece of ginger (grated)

- 2 seasoning cubes (Maggi or Knorr)

- 4 cups of water

- Scent leaves (nchuanwu) or basil (optional, for garnish)

- Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Clean the Catfish:

   - Begin by cleaning the catfish thoroughly. To remove the sliminess, rub the fish with salt and hot water. Rinse with cold water until the sliminess is gone.

2. Prepare the Pot:

   - In a large pot, add the catfish pieces. Add enough water to cover the fish.

3. Season the Fish:

   - Add the chopped onions, garlic, ginger, ground pepper, crayfish, uziza seeds (if using), and seasoning cubes to the pot. Stir gently to ensure the spices are evenly distributed.

4. Cook the Soup:

   - Place the pot on medium heat and allow the soup to cook for about 10-15 minutes. Be careful not to stir too much to avoid breaking the fish pieces.

5. Add Pepper Soup Spice:

   - Add the pepper soup spice mix to the pot. Stir gently and taste for seasoning. Adjust the salt and pepper if needed.

6. Simmer:

   - Allow the soup to simmer for another 10 minutes until the fish is fully cooked and the flavors are well infused.

7. Finish with Scent Leaves:

   - If using scent leaves or basil, add them to the soup just before turning off the heat. They add a nice aroma and enhance the flavor of the soup.

8. Serve:

   - Your catfish pepper soup is ready! Serve hot, and you can enjoy it with boiled yam, plantain, rice, or just as it is.

 Tips:

- Be gentle when stirring the soup to avoid breaking the catfish pieces.

- Adjust the amount of pepper according to your spice tolerance.

Enjoy your delicious catfish pepper soup!