Palaver Sauce/Soup

Why Is It Called Palaver?

So, as we were eating, the question arose—why is it called palaver sauce? To satisfy my curiosity, I did some research, and according to Wikipedia, “The word palaver comes from the Portuguese language and means a talk, lengthy debate or quarrel. It is unclear how this led to the name of the stew.

One theory is that the spices used in the stew mingle together like raised voices in an argument.” Some say it had the power to settle an argument because the delicious sauce calmed everyone down. What I do know is that the word palaver is synonymous with trouble, debate, or disagreement. But I’m going to leave it to the historians to knock themselves out about word origins.

What You Need

1. Meat – Beef shanks, oxtail, or any other cut that benefits from low and slow cooking works great. Smoked fish, chicken, and ham hocks are all delicious additions. Use them all or whatever you have.
2. Palm Oil – This oil is controversial and has pros and cons. I mixed it with canola oil, but you choose what works for you.
3. Flavor – Onion, tomatoes, and garlic add substance and flavor. Crayfish and egusi deliver traditional tastes.
4. Vegetables – Kale, collard greens, and spinach are delicious options. As I said, this recipe is quite flexible.

How to Make Palaver

• Cook Meat – Boil the beef and ham hocks with salt, Maggi, and onions until tender. How long it takes depends on your choice of meat. Reserve 2-3 cups of the stock and use or freeze the rest for another recipe.
• Prep Ingredients – While the beef cooks, slice tomatoes and onions and mince the garlic.
• Sauté – Heat the oil in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions and sauté them until translucent, about 5 minutes—season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Add Flavor – Stir in the tomatoes with their juices, garlic, smoked fish, and crayfish. Add the beef pieces and press to submerge. Then add the ground egusi with chicken stock and simmer.
• Add vegetables and simmer for about 2 minutes.
• Serve hot with boiled plantains, fufu, or accompaniment of choice.

Recipe Variations

1. There are so many various ways of making this sumptuous meal. No palaver here because you can adjust the vegetables to suit your tastes and availability. Egusi seeds and greens (African greens, collard greens, cocoyam leaf, or spinach are the foundation of this soup—the rest is up to you.)
2. In this recipe, I used smoked fish and meat (smoked turkey, chicken, or ham hock). The only trouble with this soup is finding egusi. For those living abroad, your best bet would be to go to African grocery stores or order them online. Can you make it without egusi? Of course, no one would take you to jail for that. I have done so several times. Enjoy!

What to Enjoy With Palaver

1. Cassava Fufu
2. Yuca Fries
3. Pounded Yams
4. Basmati Rice
5. Fufu