African Stew | Chef Lola’s Kitchen

That is how I make my classic, wealthy, fragrant Nigerian beef stew. It’s scrumptious, nutritious, and simple to make. All you want is a giant pot and about an hour of your time.

NIGERIAN TOMATO STEW

Beef stew is among the hottest and recognizable Nigerian stews. Rising up in Nigeria, no Sunday was full with out the wealthy, comforting aroma of beef stew simmering within the kitchen.

My mother’s model was top-of-the-line. It’s daring, spicy, and at all times made in huge batches. Right this moment, I’m sharing my tackle this traditional, which I’ve perfected over time of cooking and tweaking.

WHAT IS NIGERIAN STEW?

First, let’s speak about what the Nigerian stew is. It’s a scrumptious, wealthy, and barely spicy stew. It’s made with well-cooked beef (or different meat varieties) along with bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, seasoning, and spices.

The result’s a scrumptious pot of pink stew. It’s okay to drool at this level! It occurs.

MY TO-GO STEW

This stew is my to-go stew as a result of it goes with nearly something from rice to yam, pasta, beans, bread, potatoes, and rather more. It additionally shops effectively within the freezer, so I at all times make a giant batch and retailer it in my freezer. Then, I reheat as I would like it.

It’s loaded with beef, tripe, and beef liver. The entire stew comes collectively in a single pot. Since this stew is tomato-based, it’s typically additionally known as tomato stew.

I’ve made fairly a couple of stews on the weblog – Rooster Peanut Stew, Rooster Stew, Turkey stew, and Fish stew, simply to call a couple of. Nonetheless, this one simply hits dwelling otherwise!

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• Daring, balanced taste: An ideal mixture of savory, candy, and spicy.
• Deep richness: Frying the pepper base brings out intense taste.
• Correct texture: Not too watery, not too thick, good for scooping with rice or yams.
• Tried and examined: I’ve made this recipe dozens of instances. It’s a household favourite.

TYPES OF MEAT TO USE

You should utilize any meat lower to make the Nigerian stew. In reality, completely different households have their favourite meat lower decisions – robust meat cuts, lean beef, or stewing beef. So it’s completely as much as you! 

You should utilize solely beef or a wide range of meat elements like tripe, ponmo (pores and skin), beef liver, or beef kidney.

Personally, I like to make use of beef stew meat, however after I don’t discover it within the grocery retailer, I exploit any meat lower on sale. 

I like tripe particularly as a result of it acts as a sponge, absorbing all the extreme taste of the stew.

Substances for making the Good Nigerian Beef Stew

• Beef: Make sure you season very effectively, then boil till very tender. You too can deep fry or air fry earlier than including them to the stew.
• Recent Tomatoes, Pink Bell Peppers (tatashe), Onion, ginger, garlic & Scotch Bonnet: These kind the pepper base. Mix till easy. The Garlic & Ginger provides a layer of additional depth and aroma.
• Onions: I exploit two—one blended into the sauce, and the opposite sautéed for that candy, wealthy base.
• Vegetable or Palm Oil: Frying the pepper combine is important. Don’t skip this step!
• Bouillon Cubes (Maggi, Knorr, or another model of your selection): A traditional Nigerian taste booster.
• Curry Powder & Thyme: These spices give the stew its signature taste.
• Salt, Black Pepper to complete it off.

Find out how to make Nigerian Beef Stew in a couple of steps:

• Prepare dinner the Meat: Season the meat with salt, onions, garlic, and ginger. Boil till tender. You’ll be able to fry it frivolously afterward for a deeper taste or use as-is. Reserve the inventory.
• Mix the Pepper Combine: Mix contemporary tomatoes, pink bell peppers, Scotch bonnet, onion, garlic, and ginger till easy.
• Fry the Sauce: Warmth oil in a pot, then sauté sliced onions till delicate. Add the blended pepper combine and fry over medium warmth, stirring often, till the sauce reduces
• Add Seasoning & Meat: Season and stir within the cooked beef and a few reserved inventory. Let it simmer till the flavors are totally developed.
• Style and End: Modify seasoning if wanted, then simmer till the stew reaches your required consistency. It must be thick and shiny, not watery

THE SECRET TO MAKING A PERFECT NIGERIAN TOMATO STEW

In my view, the key to reaching a deep, scrumptious Nigerian stew is an efficient inventory coupled with the time given to the stew to simmer.

The inventory enhances the general taste of the stew, whereas the simmering time is simply as vital as a result of it provides the meat sufficient time to absorb the stew’s taste.

ADJUSTING SPICINESS TO TASTE

I discover this stew to be comparatively delicate. Regardless of its indignant pink shade. That stated, be happy to regulate the warmth of the stew in response to your spice tolerance.

Typically, I select to roast my peppers when making this stew. Belief me; it hits dwelling otherwise. You’ll be able to try my hen stew recipe to learn the way I roast my bell peppers.

Storing

Fridge: This recipe retains effectively within the fridge. Make sure you cool the stew to room temperature earlier than refrigerating it in a resealable container. Merely reheat in a pot over medium-low warmth or microwave in a microwave-safe bowl when able to serve. 

Freezer: This stew additionally freezes effectively! Make sure you put the leftover in hermetic containers, and depart about 1/2″ to 1″ of air above the stew to permit it to increase whereas freezing. This beef stew can last as long as 3 months within the freezer.

NOTE: On this recipe, I used a combination of palm oil and vegetable oil. Utilizing each is just not obligatory; it’s only a private desire. You should utilize both of the 2 or use the combination as I did. It’s scrumptious both approach!

Widespread Questions About Nigerian Beef Stew

• Can I exploit different meats? Sure! This recipe works with goat meat, hen, and even a mixture of meats. Modify boiling instances accordingly.
• How do I retailer leftovers? Nigerian Beef Stew freezes very effectively! Retailer cooled stew in hermetic containers within the fridge for as much as 3-4 days, or freeze for as much as 3 months.
• Why is my stew watery? This usually occurs if the blended pepper combination is just not cooked down sufficient. Simmer till you attain your required consistency.
• Can I make it much less spicy? Sure, merely cut back the variety of scotch bonnet peppers or omit them solely. You should utilize bell peppers for taste with out warmth.

Ideas for the Greatest Nigerian Beef Stew

• Don’t Rush the Pepper Combine: Prepare dinner the blended peppers and tomatoes very effectively. This helps take away any uncooked style and offers a wealthy taste.
• Steadiness the Spice: If you’re delicate to warmth, begin with only one scotch bonnet pepper (or half). You’ll be able to take away the seeds for a milder warmth. You’ll be able to at all times add a pinch of cayenne pepper later if you’d like extra warmth.
• High quality of Oil Issues: Palm oil is conventional for its distinctive taste and shade. If you’re new to it, begin with half palm and half vegetable oil. You too can modify the ratio to your desire.
• Style as You Go: At all times style your stew at completely different levels, particularly earlier than including salt. Bouillon powders comprise salt, so modify solely in spite of everything elements are mixed.
• Serve It Your Manner: Whereas scrumptious with white rice and fried plantains, this stew is extremely versatile! Strive it with boiled yams, pounded yam, eba, and even crusty bread.

Try my different scrumptious Nigerian soups and stews

Be aware: This recipe was first printed in June 2015. It was one of many few first recipes I printed on the weblog! I’ve since re-tested it, so right here is the brand new and improved model, with new images, clearer directions, and metric measurements. 

In the event you make this Nigerian Beef Stew Recipe, I’d like to see photos of your creations on Instagram or Fb. #cheflolaskitchen

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