Plasas (bitter Leaf Soup)

Plasas, also known as Bitter Leaf Soup, is a popular dish in Gambian cuisine. This hearty and flavorful soup is made with bitter leaf, a staple ingredient in West African cooking, and is often enjoyed with rice or fufu.

Plasas (bitter Leaf Soup)

Ingredients

  • 2 cups of bitter leaf, washed and drained
  • 1 pound of beef, cut into cubes
  • 1 cup of palm oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 tomatoes, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons of ground crayfish
  • 1 scotch bonnet pepper, chopped
  • 1 cup of okra, sliced
  • 4 cups of vegetable or beef stock
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat the palm oil in a large pot over medium heat.
  2. Add the onions and sauté until translucent.
  3. Add the beef and cook until browned.
  4. Stir in the tomatoes, crayfish, and scotch bonnet pepper.
  5. Pour in the stock and bring to a simmer.
  6. Add the bitter leaf and okra, then season with salt and pepper.
  7. Cover and let the soup simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the beef is tender.
  8. Adjust seasoning if needed and serve hot with rice or fufu.

Cooking & Preparation

Preparation time:
20 minutes
Cooking time:
1 hour
Total time:
1 hour
Cooking method
Stovetop

Nutritional facts per 1 serving

Calories
250 per serving
Protein
15g
Carbohydrates
20g
Fat
10g

Supplies

Large pot Cooking spoon Knife Cutting board

Tools

Stovetop

Serving suggestions

Serving suggestions: Enjoy the Plasas with a side of fluffy white rice or traditional fufu for an authentic Gambian meal.

Tips & tricks

Tips: If you can't find fresh bitter leaf, you can use frozen or dried bitter leaf as a substitute.

Cost

$20