This bold nutty flavorful soup will have your taste buds journey to my hometown Lusaka with every bite.

Yield: 4-6

Total cook time : 50 minutes  Preparation time : 30 minutes Cook time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons neutral oil
• 2 small smoked chicken thighs and drum sticks, 245 grams shredded without skin and bones
• 4 tablespoons neutral oil
• 1 teaspoon smooth peanut butter
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon ginger powder
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon cayenne (optional)
• 1 large onion,3/4 cup chopped
• 5 cups okra chopped, 500 grams (Divided)
• 2 cups okra chopped, 200 grams(first usage)
• 3 cups okra chopped,(for paste) 300 grams(second usage)
• 2 cup okra chopped, 200 grams (first usage)
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 cup homemade tomato puree, 239 grams
• 2 cups of okra paste,(second usage)
• 2 cups chicken broth or 2 large chicken Bouillon cubes dissolved in warm water, 500 milliliters
• 2 tablespoons pesto(optional)
• 1 large green pepper,3/4 cup chopped
• Salt to taste

Method

Pound 3 cups of chopped okra in a Mortar and pestle or a food processor, turning it into 2 cups of Okra paste and set aside

Fry shredded chicken with oil in a medium pot, on medium high heat, and cook till slightly crispy, remove from pot and set aside

In the same pot, add neutral oil with peanut butter on medium heat, letting it melt and then add spices, till the aroma of spices becomes pronounced

Fry the onion until soft. Further add the chopped okra and tomato paste , fry okra until slightly brown.

Add in the tomato puree, okra paste and broth .Adding salt to taste, reducing to medium low, letting it simmer for 10 minutes.

After 10 minutes, stir in the green pepper and shredded chicken, let simmer for 5 minutes. Remove pot and Serve immediately.

Notes

• This dish is quite a great starter.
• It’s bold, slight smoky, and nutty notes by no means take away from the inherent okra taste of the dish.
• Add some Biscuits or Bread to make it a full meal.
• Adding in a Pesto will gives the soup a bigger depth of flavor.
• Cayenne or chili flakes should be added, if you need a little kick.