Health wise, whenever I get drenched by the rain, no matter how small it might be, I catch a cold. Sunday's case was not any different. I was about to go to church when the rain started. It came in small drops initially and then it poured heavily.
I immediately did not see the effect of me being drenched by the rain, so I naturally thought I was immune this time. Unfortunately, the cold came around. Yesterday, I was just sneezing, I had a catarrh and to worsen it, I had a fever.
My mum advised me to get some drugs for my cold which I did. I also had the intuition to prepare a pepper soup which helps with colds. I decided to make it our traditional meal known as "Ukodo". It's either prepared with yam or unripe plantain, I used the unripe plantain for mine.
Ingredients
Unripe plantain
Chicken
Pepper Soup spice
Salt to taste
Maggi
Grinded pepper
Crayfish
Potash
Onions
Water
Procedures
Step 1: wash and peel the unripe plantain to prevent sand.
Step 2: cut the plantains into small cubes and wash them into a pot of water which is already on fire, boil for about 15 minutes.
Step 3: while the plantain is boiling, also wash the chicken thoroughly, place in a pot, season it with your Maggi, a pinch of salt and onions. Also cook for about 15 minutes.
Step 4: add more water to the already cooked chicken, enough water to get the plantain ready and soft enough to your taste.
Step 5: add the pepper soup spice, crayfish, more onions(this depends on you), grinded pepper, a little salt and maggi and let it boil together.(remember you used some salt and maggi to boil the chicken, so you have to watch the quantity to prevent excess salt and maggi in the food).
Step 5: add in the already boiled plantain and let it cook together for about 15 minutes more. (You can add in scent leaves or lemon grass depending on your taste and let it boil).
Some people transfer the plantain to a separate plate, while some eat it together in the same bowl. As a typical urhobo lady, I am among those that eat it together because I want to enjoy it once and for all.
This meal really helps in chilly weather, it helps wade off code, it's medicinal, and mothers who just gave birth are also advised to take this meal.
I made this meal yesterday and today I am fine and better. I hope you get to try yours.
Thank you for reading.
