Stew is arguably a part of our everyday meal in Nigeria. There’s almost a silent Sunday tradition in every Nigerian house. The ‘Rice and Stew’ Sunday tradition. You’ll always find a pot of stew in the kitchen or in a plate in the freezer.
According to Wikipedia, A stew is a combination of solid food ingredients that have been cooked in liquid and served in the resultant gravy. Ingredients in a stew can include any combination of vegetables (such as carrots, potatoes, onions, beans, peppers, mushrooms, and tomatoes) and may include meat, especially tougher meats suitable for slow-cooking, such as beef. Poultry, sausages, and seafood are also used. While water can be used as the stew-cooking liquid, stock is also common. Seasoning and flavourings may also be added. Stews are typically cooked at a relatively low temperature (simmered, not boiled), allowing flavours to mingle.
The popular Nigerian stew is made from the combination of tomatoes, pepper and onions. This is the default combo. As taste varies from one individual to the next, other spices like ginger and garlic are added to the stew.
How do you make your stew? I have seen different methods of making stew. My mother fries her stew. That’s the method I learned growing up. However, I have seen other methods of making stew. These Yoruba women in their Amala canteens boil their stews, the ones they use with ewedu, they call them Omi Obé.
Frying method
Ingredients
- Tomatoes
- Pepper
- Onions
- Curry
- Seasoning
- Salt
- Thyme
- Sunflower oil
-The tomatoes and pepper are blended. You can decide to blend your onions as well, this is optional. Boil your blended mixture until excess water dries up and it forms a paste.
Directions
- Chop onions.
- Place a pot on heat.
- Add oil.
- When the oil is hot, add curry.
- Leave for a few seconds.
- Add chopped onions.
- Pour in your blended tomatoes, pepper and onions.
- Allow to fry for a ten to fifteen minutes.
- Add seasoning. Add salt.
- Add in your preferred protein. If it’s chicken or beef, you can add in the stock as well (taste for salt and seasoning).
- Allow to boil for a few minutes.
- Stew is ready.
Boiling Method
- Place a pot on heat.
- Pour in your blended tomatoes and pepper.
- Allow to boil for ten minutes.
- Add sunflower oil.
- Add in your preferred protein.
- Add seasoning to taste.
- Add salt to taste.
- Allow to boil for about ten to fifteen minutes.
- Your stew is ready.
Serve with rice. Note that any method you decide to use, the stew will come out nice.
