How to Prepare Miyan Alayyahu
Miyan Alayyahu also known as Spinach Soup is a soup well consumed in northern Nigeria mostly by the Hausas. Yorubas that live in this part of the country also consume it. It is made with fresh spinach. It is quite easy to prepare and tastes delicious. This is one of my favorites of all northern Nigerian soups. Stay with me as I show you how to prepare Miyan Alayyahu.
Equipment for making Miyan Alayyahu
Cooking pot
Kitchen knife
Chopping board
Bowl
Colander
Blender
Ingredients for Preparing Miyan Alayyahu
You will need the following ingredients to prepare Miyan Alayyahu (Spinach Soup):
2 bunches of fresh spinach (alayyahu)
Fresh onions, pepper, and tomatoes (all blended)
Vegetable oil or palm oil
Seasoning cubes (in desired quantity)
Salt to taste
Boiled meat and/or stockfish or dried fish.
Little water
Procedure for Making Miyan Alayyahu
STEP 1: Wash the spinach with water and small salt in a bowl properly.
STEP 2: Chop the spinach to the desired size and set it aside. Then;
STEP 3: Over medium heat, put the cooking pot, add the vegetable oil or palm oil, and some sliced onion. Allow to fry for 3 minutes
STEP 4: Add the ground onion, pepper, and tomatoes and mix. Allow to fry for 5 minutes.
STEP 5: Add a little water and allow to boil for 5 minutes.
STEP 6: Add the fish and/or fish and let it boil till it becomes soft. (Be careful not to add too much water, else, you will ruin the soup).
STEP 7: Add the chopped spinach and seasoning cubes, salt, and leave to simmer for 5 minutes.
STEP 8: Taste the soup to see if you need to add any seasoning. Finally;
STEP 9: Turn off the cooker and your soup is done and ready to be served.
TIPS:
- Only a little water is needed when cooking Miyan Alayyahu. This is because the spinach has its own water.
- Don’t worry when you see the quantity of spinach much more than the water in the pot. As you cook, the spinach releases its water content into the soup.
Swallows That Best Goes With It
Miyan Alayyahu (Spinach Soup) is normally taken with Tuwon Shinkafa or Eba.
How to Serve Miyan Alayyahu
Aside from Tuwon Shinkafa and Eba, it could also be served with, Tuwon Masara, Tuwon Alkama, Tuwon Dawa, Tuwon Alabo, and any other swallow of your choice.
Occasions to Best Serve Miyan Alayyahu
This local northern Nigerian cuisine could be taken as breakfast, lunch, and also dinner. More so, it is suitable for occasions like festive periods, wedding ceremonies, naming ceremonies, birthday parties, etc.
It may interest you to check how naming ceremony is conducted in Northern Nigeria.
How to Store Miyan Alayyahu
It is best stored in a refrigerator as it will last for several days. In the absence of a refrigerator nonetheless, it only lasts for a day or two at most, or you will have to be warming it mornings and evenings to last a little bit longer.
Nutritional Value of Miyan Alayyahu
Spinach (alayyahu) is one of the best sources of dietary potassium and magnesium, two very important electrolytes necessary for maintaining human health.
In addition, spinach has been famous for its ability to make one strong. It is dense in vitamins and minerals and low in calories.
Furthermore, eating spinach is important in maintaining healthy skin, hair, and strong bones, as well as helping with lowering the risk of heart disease and helps in digestion. More so, it is beneficial in improving blood glucose control in diabetic patients.
Conclusion
Again, don’t forget that you only need a small amount of water, usually less than the quantity you need in preparing soups like Miyan Taushe, Miyan Karkashi, Miyan Wake, Miyan Kuka, and the likes. Now that you know how to prepare Miyan Alayyahu, you can decide when to try it.
If you find this article helpful, please leave a comment in the comments section below.
You are always welcome to Northpad Nigeria for more local Northern Nigerian recipes.
