HOW TO PREPARE SPINACH STEW (EFO RIRO)

Efo Riro, which translates to “stirred spinach,” is a delicious spinach stew from Nigeria. This flavorful dish is made with a blend of spinach, peppers, tomatoes, and various seasonings. It’s commonly served with rice or traditional staples like pounded yam, fufu, or eba.

Ingredients:
500g fresh spinach or fluted pumpkin leaves (alternatively, you can use frozen spinach)
2 cups blended peppers and tomatoes (you can use a mix of bell peppers, scotch bonnet peppers, and tomatoes)
1 cup sliced onions
3 tablespoons palm oil (you can adjust based on preference)
2 tablespoons ground crayfish (optional)
300g assorted meat (e.g., goat meat, beef, offals) and/or fish (like stockfish, dried fish, or fresh fish)
1 tablespoon ground crayfish (optional, but adds a unique flavor)
2 bouillon cubes or to taste
Salt, to taste
1 tablespoon locust beans (iru or ogiri, optional)
Instructions:
Preparation of Ingredients:

If using fresh spinach, wash the leaves thoroughly and slice or shred them. If using frozen, thaw and squeeze out excess water.
Boil the assorted meat with seasoning until tender. Keep the stock.
Cooking the Stew:

In a large pot, heat the palm oil on medium heat until it’s slightly translucent.
Add the sliced onions and fry until they become translucent.
Pour in the blended pepper-tomato mixture. Fry until the mixture thickens and the oil begins to float on the top.
Add the ground crayfish, bouillon cubes, locust beans (if using), and any other desired seasonings. Allow to cook for another 2-3 minutes.
Add the boiled assorted meat and/or fish along with some meat stock (broth). Allow the mixture to cook for about 10 minutes, so the flavors meld together.
Stir in the spinach or fluted pumpkin leaves. Lower the heat and let it simmer for another 5-7 minutes. The spinach should remain green and vibrant.
Adjust the seasonings, if necessary.
Serving: Efo Riro is ready to serve! Enjoy it with your choice of carbohydrate – white rice, pounded yam, fufu, eba, or even boiled plantains.

Note: Efo Riro can be adapted based on personal preference. Some people add shrimp or prawns to their stew. The choice of proteins and exact spices can vary based on individual and regional preferences. The key is to have a rich, flavorful base with the freshness of the spinach shining through.