When Barrister Chiketara arrived at the Ekenes’ home in Asaba, he was warmly welcomed by the couple. As Mr. Ekene's longtime business partner, he had come down to discuss some new investment. The Barrister was a man of simple pleasures and was mostly excited about the hospitality of the Ekenes anytime he visited, especially the culinary expertise of Mrs Ekene.
On the menu that evening was "Egusi" soup and fufu because she knew that was the barrister's favourite.
After she returned from the market where she went to buy fresh ingredients, she quickly set to work, pounding the Egusi seed into a paste, boiling the meat and stockfish head with lots of onions, washing the big, slimy Ore snails and shredding the vegetables.
The scent alone from the pot as she cooked was intoxicating—the richness of the Isi Okporoko, the delicate and deep taste of the Asa fish, fermented aroma of Ogiri Isi, mixed with the tasty sensation of the large Ore snails. Chunky pieces of "Kpomo" floated in the nutty golden-oil soup as it bubbled happily over the gas stove.
The business discussion between the two gentlemen yielded little result as Chiketara kept on sniffing in the aroma from the kitchen, that he had lost concentration in their discussion was an understatement.
"Don’t worry my friend,” Mr. Ekene had boasted over the phone. “My wife's Egusi will make you forget every other egusi that you have ever tasted”
When the soup was ready, it filled the house with a rich, deep aroma, the kind that would make neighbours stop to peep over the fence.
When she was done setting the table, she invited her husband and his friend to dinner. Eagerly Chiketara sat in front of the bubbling earthen pot of Egusi soup, served with a big mound of fresh, soft fufu. She watched him closely as he washed his hands, take the first scoop of fufu and dip it into the thick soup.
Fireworks as Chiketara’s eyes lit up.
“Madam,” he said, inhaling deeply. “This soup has announced itself!”
Mrs. Ekene chuckled as she took her exit.
Chiketara did not need a second invitation. He dived right into the food as the taste hit his palate over and over again.
The combination of flavors was perfectly balanced, like a song with different notes, playing harmoniously on his tongue. He devoured the fufu in record time, pausing only to sigh with deep satisfaction. When he was done, he wiped his mouth, leaned back, and belched noisily.
Mrs. Ekene smiled knowingly. “Would you like more, barrister?”
Chiketara exhaled, patting his stomach. “If I eat more than this, I will need a big lorry to carry me out of this house.”
They all broke into laughter at his joke.
An hour passed. The plates had been cleared. Both friends were discussing politics. Mrs. Ekene had moved to the kitchen. But Chiketara kept sniffing his fingers intermittently.
At first, he tried to be subtle. He would lift his hand casually to his face, pretending to pick his nose but in reality, he was trying to relive the taste of that soup.
She observed!
After the fifth time, Mrs. Ekene, peeking from the kitchen, frowned in concern.
“Barrister, do you need more water to wash your hands?”
Chiketara shook his head quickly. “No, no, madam, I washed them well.”
Another few minutes passed. Sniff.
This time, Mrs. Ekene stepped forward again to ask. “Sir, are you sure you won't want to wash your hands again?”
Chiketara chuckled nervously. “Ah, no o… I just—eh—my hands feel fresh!”
Mrs. Ekene wasn’t convinced. “Is something wrong with my food?”
Chiketara sat up straight, suddenly serious. “No, madam! Infact it is the opposite! The food was too good. I don’t want to forget the taste, so I’m trying to keep it alive!”
Finally, he sighed. “Madam, you must tell me—how do I make this Egusi soup? I need to take the secret back to my wife.”
the memory of the soup clung to him like the rich, flavorful oil that had coated his fingers. Even after countless hand washes, the scent of ogiri isi and isi okporoko still lingered, teasing him.
Mrs. Ekene beamed, proud of her culinary skills. She sat down beside him, ready to unveil the mystery of her masterpiece.
“Barrister, first thing you must know—you must use isi okporoko and ogiri isi. These two are Egusi's best friend.”
Chiketara leaned in, listening attentively, already imagining the conversation he would have with his wife, when he got home.
All images are AI generated.
I am @edith-4angelseu and thank you for stopping by my neighbourhood.