CATFISH PEPPER SOUP

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Catfish Pepper Soup

Yield: 4 - 6 servings

PREP IT!             

For Pepper Soup:

• 2 - 3 pounds Catfish

• 3 cups Water

• 1 small Red onion, fresh, sliced

• 3 large Scotch bonnet or Habanero peppers, fresh, minced

• 1 clove Garlic, fresh, minced

• ½ inch Ginger, fresh, minced

• 1 Bay leaf

• 1 tablespoon Taste Tutor Seasoning 101 or ½ tablespoon of your favorite all purpose seasoning

• 2 tablespoons Pepper soup spice (recipe below) or use a store bought mix 

• 1 tablespoon Chicken bouillon powder

• 2 tablespoons Crayfish, ground

• 1 bunch Scent leaf (can substitute with basil)

• ¼ cup Green onion, sliced

• 1 tablespoon Utazi or Uziza leaves, fresh, frozen, or dried rehydrated in hot water

• 3 small Thai chilis, fresh, sliced, for garnish

For Pepper Soup Spice:  

• 10 Grains of selim pods

• 1 tablespoon Black peppercorns

• 1 teaspoon African ground red pepper or Cayenne pepper, ground

• 1 teaspoon Cameroon pepper

• 1 teaspoon Uziza seed

• 1 teaspoon Ataiko seed

• 5 Calabash nutmeg pods

  Toast whole spices in a dry pan over medium heat, just until slightly fragrant. Blend together spices using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 years.

MAKE IT!

1. Clean and rinse catfish. For whole, skin-on catfish, cut the catfish into pieces. Pour boiling water over the skin to remove the slimy outer layer and set aside.

2. Add 3 cups of water, sliced red onion, minced scotch bonnet, garlic, ginger, bay leaf, Taste Tutor Seasoning 101, pepper soup spice, chicken bouillon, and crayfish to a sauce pot.

3. Bring to a boil and allow to boil for 5 minutes. 

4. Transfer the fish into the pot. Simmer for 5 minutes. 

5. Add in scent leaf, green onions, and utazi or uziza leaves. Simmer for 3 minutes. 

6. Serve hot and enjoy!

Tip: Reduce the spice by reducing the number of scotch bonnet peppers. You can also add chunks of yam or plantain into the broth to cook while the fish is cooking, for a one pot meal, or serve the soup over rice.

Reheat leftovers: on the stove top or in the microwave.