How to Prepare African Okra Soup with Kombo – Swala

African okra soup with Kombo – Swala, also called “Swala” or “Mula Kombo ta Bamia,” is a specialty of the Kakwa tribe from Yei in South Sudan. It is a vegetarian soup, low in calories, and gluten-free.

Ingredients

• Okra, 2 cups okra cut into ¼ inch cross-sectional slices (don’t forget to cut and discard both end tips)
• ½ cup of chopped onions
• 2 tomatoes, diced
• kombo or ½ teaspoons of baking soda
• 1 tablespoon oil
• Table salt
• Water, 3-4 cups

Instructions

1. Put 1 cup of water in a pot.
2. Saturate your kombo or add ½ teaspoons of baking soda.
3. Add the chopped onion and cook over medium heat on the stove.
4. Add the sliced okra. Add 2 cups of water.
5. Cook for 15 minutes, until the okra pieces are soft.
6. Add the tomatoes.
7. Add 1 tablespoon of oil. Table salt to taste. Hot pepper is optional.
8. Turn off the heat after 5 minutes. Then serve.