THE ORGANIC GHANAIAN CHICKEN SOUP RECIPE (EFIE AKUKO)

'Efie Akuko 'which translates to home reared organic Chicken in the Akan language from Ghana, was a norm in most households during my childhood. 
Chickens were home reared, corn fed, roamed freely which offered most households freshly laid organic eggs and meat. 
As part of the cooking lessons (one was given under the tutelage of their mothers), included the dreaded killing and dressing of a Chicken. 
You might be spared 'killing' the Chicken, but not the plucking off the feathers, dissecting and dressing of the Chicken. 
Mum under her strict direction taught me how to remove the bile from the Chicken without breaking it. She echoed 'the Chicken will taste sour if the bile bursts'.
 With careful hands and a knife I removed the bile and portioned the Chicken into chunks. 
I doubt if this skill and knowledge of dressing a Chicken still happens in Ghana, (as most people either buy frozen or already dressed Chicken). 
On a recent trip to Ghana, I came across a gentleman selling live Chickens who also 'prepared' it for you. I was excited about my purchase as I was spared the awful process of killing and preparing the Chicken. 

There are two types reared Chicken, namely the layers and broilers. The 'layers' in its befitting description lay eggs and when they don't (referred to as 'spent hens')are used for their meat. 
Broilers are reared mainly for their meat, hence they are tender and best for roasting or barbecuing
The 'spent hen' was used for this recipe, which gives this dish a unique and flavour packed soup.

Ingredients 

1.2kg of Organic Chicken

30g of Ginger

1 Habanero Chilli 

1 teaspoon of Aniseed

2 large Onions

1.5 litres of Water or Chicken stock

40g of Tomato paste or purée 

2 large fresh Tomatoes 

6 halved Garden eggs (Optional)

10 Kpakposhito or Pettie belle chillies

20g of fresh Ghanaian Basil (Koklo Fotie or Akuko Mesa)

3 stalks of Hwentia or Grains of Selim (Optional)

Salt to taste

Method

Watch how to make this recipe in the video below;