Recipe: How To Prepare Edikaikong

Edikaikong is a vegetable soup by the Efik people of Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.

Preparation time is within 40-60 minutes. INGREDIENTS: • 2 bunches of Pumpkin leaves (Ugu) • 1 bunch of Water leaf • Assorted meat • Stockfish Head • Periwinkle (shelled or unshelled) optional • 4 cooking spoons of Palm oil • Onga Classic • Ground crayfish (2-3 spoons) • Black pepper or Rodo(scotch bonnet) METHOD: • Wash the assorted meat and stock fish. • Season the assorted meat with onions, salt, Onga classic and cover to boil for 20 minutes.

• After 20 minutes add the stockfish head to the boiling meat and cook for another 20 minutes or till there is little or no stock left in the meat.

• Wash the ugu leaves and water leaves with salt and place in a sieve to drain out water

• Once the water in the boiling beef is almost dried out add the pepper, periwinkle, palm oil and water leaves, stir contents together and cook for a few minutes.

• Then add the pumpkin leaves (ugu) and cook for 4-7 minutes.

• Check for seasoning and salt, there might not be a need for seasoning again because of the stock.

• Do not add water, stir often so the vegetables do not burn.

Serve with Eba, pounded yam, fufu or any swallow of your choice.