Beniseed or sesame seed, whichever name you choose to call it, makes one of the most delicious Nigerian stews ever, locally known as beniseed soup. Beniseed soup is a stew very similar in consistency to other nut or seed soups popular in Nigeria, but with its own distinct taste.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Nigerian
Servings: 8people
Calories: 505kcal
Ingredients
1 ¼ cupssesame seeds
4lbsseafood(2lbs crabs, 1lb shrimp, 1 lb clams
½ lbdried/ smoked seafood(I used dried smoked shrimp)
2cupschopped spinach
2cupsseafood stock
1largeonion(sliced)
4plum tomatoes
2scotch bonnet peppers(chopped)
¼cuppalm oil
3tbspground crayfish
3tspshrimp bullion
saltto taste
Instructions
Rinse the sesame seeds in a fine mesh sieve and drain. Place the seeds in a shallow pan, and toast stirring consistently on medium heat for 10- 15 minutes or until the sesame seeds are toasty and fragrant.
Blend the tomatoes and set aside.
Allow the sesame seeds to cool completely, then grind into a powder in a food processor or with a mortar and pestle. Once the sesame seeds are powdered. Stop grinding so that the sesame seeds don't turn into a paste.
In pot, saute the onions and scotch bonnet peppers on medium heat until for 5 minutes.
Add in the blended tomatoes and saute for another 15 minutes. The tomatoes should be reduced to a paste.
Turn the heat down to low, then add in the crayfish and shrimp bullion. Saute for another 5 minutes.
After 5 minutes, add in the stock, and continue cooking the stew covered on low heat for 10 minutes.
After 10 minutes, add in the seafood, stir and add in the smoked and dried shrimp. Cover and allow to cook on low heat for 15 minutes.
Begin adding in the ground sesame seeds. Stir, and into the stew, cover and allow to simmer for 15 minutes.
After 15 minutes, add in the chopped spinach, stir and adjust the seasoning to your taste. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes.
Serve the stew with traditional fufu, or with rice.