If you have been thinking of soups you can cook with small money in Nigeria, you are not alone.
There is a bit of raised hardship as a result of removal of petrol subsidy in the oil rich nation.
Everyone needs to make some adjustments sometimes, when the economic situation demands it.
These soups you can cook with small money come handy when you really need to adjust the cost of preparing your meals.
They are particular to your swallow meals and for a family of 4 or 5.
Basically, when there is inflation, and there is no salary increase at sight, the best thing to do is to cut cost of feeding.
Unfortunately, persons who refuse to cut cost of feeding end up spending more than they earn.
Sometimes ego comes in the way, but you need to push it aside and adjust.
You see, we all do this adjustments once in a while, especially when people in government have no grip on cost control.
A few soups you can cook with small money can help you make that adjustment, while you still get the nutrients you need.
Most importantly, we know that food is number one need of everyone.
As a result, you need to begin the adjustment you are making from your meal.
Also, you have to tweak the traditional food your parents handed to you to save money.
If you cook the way your parents cooked, you will need to spend some good money to have same meals.
To help you make the switch without throwing adequate nutrients away, we have here some low budget soups you can explore at a period that requires adjustments.
1. Okra Soup
Okra soup is one of the low budget soups that you can prepare and still get loads of nutrients.
Here, we recommend that you prepare the soup with a low cost fish and add uziza leaf of small amount to it. That will give it a unique taste and you will love it.
Kindly note that the ingredients we recommend here are necessary to bring in nutrients.
You can prepare this soups with a maximum of 2,000 Naira and it will contain meat. fish and other ingredients.
Ingredients: Fish not more than (800 Naira), uziza leaf (100 Naira), meat (not more than 700 Naira), Okra 300 Naira, oil, crayfish, ugba (fermented African Olibeen seeds – rich in protein. Optional) and iru (locust beans).
This soup is loaded with nutrients and you will also enjoy the taste.
However, we assume that you will have salt and a few other things at home. We do not recommend that you add seasoning cubes to your food.
Here is why we do not recommend you use seasoning cubes in your meals.
2. Uziza Leaf Soup
Just like Okra soup, Uziza leaf soup is also one of the low budget soups you can explore.
It is common with people from eastern Nigeria.
You prepare Uziza soup with uziza leaf and a few other ingredients.
Buy about 200 Naira uziza leaf and then you will add meat and fish of same amount as above.
Also, buy ofor (thickener) which you will use to thicken the soup.
Basically, you use palm fruits to prepare this soup, but you can use palm oil. Palm fruits are a bit on the high side at this time.
Get crayfish and ugba (fermented African Olibeen seeds).
Really, you do not need so much to prepare this soup. If you are economical with your purchases, you can get stockfish and add to the soup.
3. Ewedu Soup
Another low budget soup that you can prepare is Ewedu soup. This is also rich in nutrients.
Ewedu of 500 Naira would be enough for a family of 4 to eat 3 or 4 times.
Also, you need to remember that in most cases, Ewedu soup goes with stew. So, you have to ensure that your stew is low cost too.
You can prepare your stew with small quantity of tomatoes while you also get your fish, meat onions, and others within a budget.
Other Things To Know about Your Soups
- Egusi Soup: Health Benefits And Side Effects To Avoid
- Waterleaf And Bitter Leaf Soup: How To Prepare | 14 Health Benefits
- Ogbono: Things To Consider Before You Eat It
- Oha Leaf: 12 Health Benefits | How Oha Saves You From Toxins
Instead of buying 1 kilogram of chicken, buy 1/2 kilogram. And then get one titus (fish) that is also cost effective.
The idea is to get the nutrients from these ingredients while spending less.
With your stew and Ewedu, you can still enjoy your swallow meals.
4. Ugwu And Water Leaf
This is also another healthy soup that you can prepare on a low budget.
Ingredients are: Ugwu leaf (200 Naira), waterleaf (300 Naira), cray fish, meat, fish and stockfish.
You should also get ofor to thicken the soup since waterleaf will bring in more water.
The soup is rich in nutrients and also very medicinal.
These soups are far less expensive than ogbono soup, egusi and other soups that require so much ingredients to give it a good taste.
Saving cost from your meal is a good thing to do, but it requires that you throw away pride and face the reality.
If you need to save cost, do what it takes to save cost while also increasing the sources of income.