Top 10 Nigerian Food list.

Hello guys, wetin dey shele? Hmnn, I have gist for you people. Recently, there was a riot!!! Stones thrown, tongues firing, heart burning, fingers bumping as words were typed about the top Nigerian Rappers list that was released a few days back. Then it was followed by the Top comedian list which caused another riot!!! Again, Stones thrown, tongues firing, heart burning, fingers bumping as words....... OK well you get the point. Well I was not interested, so I stayed away from it, but I was really annoyed that I couldn't get into the action. I started to think about what could get my blood boiling enough to rant about a list on my social media. I didn't have to search for too long , the answer was right in front of me. As if it was not obvious enough, I was about to put it in my mouth, FOOD.
You see I love food, I think it's the best creation of God and I have my weight issues to prove it. Anyways back to the matter, based on my credentials, I think I am qualified to give my top 10 Nigerian foods, so here we go.

White Rice and Stew

10. White Rice and Stew - Well, Well, Well, I don't think I have to argue, how popular this delicacy is with Nigerians. This is an everyday option for food. I can eat it, in the morning, in the afternoon, in the night and even the midnight!!! Although, it is an everyday food, it is on this list as an honor to filling the stomach of a lot of Nigerian people. Recipe - Tomatoes, Groundnut oil, Onion, seasoning, protein (beef, fish, chicken etc) sauce.

Ogbono Soup

9. Ogbono soup - This is our draw, draw soup. This soup is known for the slimy nature. P.S this was the first soup I ever ate. This soup is on our top list because it serves as an initiation right for Nigerians.This initiation right, involves the ability to control, maneuver and score the soup into the mouth without getting the soup all over places except into the mouth. Fun Finding: Did you know that Ogbono seed promotes weight loss? Google that.

Jollof Rice

8. Jollof Rice: When it comes to popularity, this food has first place in the bag! It makes appearances at weddings,burials, Parties, and even small house events, so long as it's Nigerian. If you don't have Jollof rice at your gathering then I'm afraid you my friend is clueless. Jollof rice consists of rice, groundnut oil, onions and tomatoes (including tin tomatoes) mostly. Meat, fish and any other type of blockage is left up to you. Based on the popularity of this meal, there are different taste versions of this food, Igbo rice, Yoruba rice, Party rice etc. This food also has the diversity point in the bag, it can be eating with beans, plantains, meats, fishes, vegetables, salad etc.

7. Egusi Soup - Yum, yum, yum. Egusi soup is a soup made with Egusi seed, (I know i'm captain obvious) with different tribes devising ways to make it even taste better. This can be eaten with Fufu, Garri, white Rice, Amala, Pounded yam, mmmm (salivating). Anyway it is usually made with Egusi (Melon) seeds, Red Palm Oil, Beef, Fish – Dry Fish, Stock Fish, Crayfish, Pepper,  Salt, Vegetable – Pumpkin leaves or Bitter leaf, Seasonings, tomatoes(optional).

Fried Rice

6. Fried Rice: In my book, this is definitely the big sister of Jollof rice, but without including the tomatoes. Just like Jollof rice, fried rice is quite popular with Nigerians and of course with their events. Growing though, I remember Fried rice being the first thing that would finish in an event. Any way back to the matter, Fried Rice consists of  Rice, Chicken, Cow Liver, Curry Powder, Green Beans, medium sized Carrots, Salt, Onions, Seasoning.

Edikaikong Soup

5.  Edikaikong Soup - This soup which is also known simply as  Vegetable soup is a native to the people of Cross River state. Apart from tasting really good, the nutrition value (vitamins) in this soup, makes it a strong contender. The complexity of making this soup, causes many to cook it the wrong way, even to the extent of overcooking the vegetables in it. This is one of those soup that is NOT cooked based on personal preference. It is a soup from Cross River and it should be prepared their way. so As a result I took upon myself, to find a website that can help teach the correct way of making this soup -> http://www.dooneyskitchen.com/2013/04/06/edikaikong-a-traditional-calabar-recipe/

Okro Soup and Garri (Eba)

4. Okro (Okra) Soup: This can be generally referred to as the big brother of Ogbono soup, because of the similarities of the soups. This is one of those soups where it is prepared based on personal preference and nationality. The texture can go from extra thick to extra slimy. There are also version where tomatoes are included in the preparation of the soup. The ingredients include Okra, Red Palm Oil, Beef Shaki / Cow Tripe (Optional), Fish: (Iced Fish, Dry Fish, Stock Fish),Crayfish, Pepper and Salt to taste, Onions, Vegetable – Pumpkin leaves or Spinach, Seasoning

Pepper Soup

3.Pepper Soup – Well as the name implies it is a Peppered Soup, but the distinctive trait of this soup is not just the spiciness, it is the variety of 'blockage' that should be in it. In the spirit of promoting journalistic jargon, your pepper soup is unsatisfactory, if it does not contain at least four types of different meat or fish in it. This soup can also be customized based on the protein in it, like Fish Pepper soup, Chicken pepper soup etc. Ingredients - Chicken | Goat Meat | Cow Leg | Assorted Beef based on preference, Ehu or Ariwo or Calabash Nutmeg, Chilli Pepper (to taste), Dry Uziza (optional), Onions , Crayfish , Salt, Seasoning , Thyme.

Afang Soup

2.  Afang Soup - This is a classic soup from Cross River State in Nigeria, specifically a native soup of the Efiks. The blend of the two vegetables in the soup has to be the secret to the exquisite taste. The ingredients include Fresh pepper, Onions, Palm oil, Cray fish, Dry fish, Beef - Pomo (Cow skin), Periwinkle, Stock fish , Seasoning cubes, Afam (Okazi leaf), Water leaf.

African Salad (Abacha)

1. African Salad (Abacha) - Forget everything you know about the bland taste of the regular western salad, because this contradicts it all. This eastern delicacy is not commonly featured at events, part of its appeal lies in its rarity and complexity, not every one can whip up a good African salad, i'll tell you that. Not sure why it's called a salad but watch out for those calories with this, don't be deceived by the name. I know you will want to make this soon, the ingredients include Abacha,  Ugba,  Palm Oil, Powdered Potash (food tenderizer) , Fish | Mackerel/Dry Fish/Stock fish, Onion, Salt, dry Pepper, Crayfish,  Stock cubes (Maggi/Knorr),  Ehu seeds (Calabash Nutmeg).

References

http://www.allnigerianrecipes.com/