SLC-S31W1-"My taste My Culture/ (Vegetable Soup)!"

Food is more than what we eat. It's a story, a memory, a piece of where we come from ie our identity. Every single flavour carries a history, every spice holds a tradition and every dish communicate something about who we are.

Food is not just about meals on a plate, its about that little moment that connects us to our root. In this challenge, you get to view my culture one bit at a time!

Prepare a meal that represents your root and identity and show us the recipes and procedure of preparation.

• Vegetable Soup (My taste, My culture)

Ingredients

• vegetables
• Palm-oil
• Crayfish
• Meat/Chicken/Fish
• Chicken stock
• Pepper
• Salt

Cooking method!

• Wash meat, fish, and other protein carefully by adding water and salt. Pour into a pot and steam for some minutes. Add ingredients needed and very little amount of water to cook properly.

• Add blended crayfish when the meat is soft and cook for some minutes.

• Add washed blended pepper to the boiling stock and cover to steam properly with the meat.

• Lastly before the veggies, add palm-oil to cook for 2 minutes.

• Finally, wash the veggies with salt and clean water. Allow to drain off water then add into the boiling stock and cover for 5 seconds. Stir completely and taste for salt.

• My vegetable soup is ready, served with garri!

Why is this food important to your people? When is it traditionally eaten? (Is it festive, ceremonial, daily, or symbolic?). What does it represent culturally? How does it reflect the lifestyle, values, and history of your people?

Vegetable soup is more than just a meal in my culture, it is a symbol of unity, tradition and nourishment. It is important to my people because it combines together variety of fresh recipes, each representing the richness of our land. From the green leafs, the proteins, spices, all tells a story of care and abundance.

This dish is commonly eaten as a daily meal, but it holds a special place during family visits, gatherings or even celebrations because it is not just a meal. No matter when or where it is served, vegetable soup holds a sense of togetherness.

When we talk of culture, it represents hospitality and love. Preparing it needs time, patience and the hands of more than one person which shows the value of shared responsibility. It reflects a lifestyle that values hard work, natural resources and the importance of nourishing the body and soul.

What memories do you personally associate with it and the price of the ingredients in steem and local currency?

For me, vegetable soup carries memories of home, laughter and togetherness. I remember the sound of chopping veggies in the kitchen because my mom would always do it herself, the rich aroma filling the whole house and the songs I hum because its my favorite dish

It reminds me of moment with family helping out, having a taste as the soup still cooks and stories we share as we wait for the soup.

When it comes to costing, preparing vegetable soup depends on the ingredients and quantity. For a moderate portion, it can cost #6,000-#12,000 (65-130 Steem)

For the portion I cooked,

Items	Price (#)	Steem cost
Palm-oil	2000	25 steem
Crayfish	2000	25 steem
Spice	1000	10 steem
Pepper	500	5 steem
Veggies	1000	10 steem
Meat	2000	25 steem

Present your recipe beautifully with a name tag and date and a selfie

Where the pot of soup steams, hearts gather, for in every spoon, lies the story of home!

I invite @eliany @mariami @pandora2010