Nigerian Stew (Obe Ata)

Hey everyone! I have been asked quite a bit how I make my stew and so I figured I would share that with you before I start posting various recipes that actually use this as either a base or a mix-in. Stew is a staple in Nigerian cuisine and something that I cannot live without. Even while I was living abroad, I had to make stew so that I still have that sense of self. I have always associated the smell of stew cooking on the stove with laughter, warmth and home.

Whenever I am introducing a friend to Nigerian food, I always start with making stew. Why? It is home to me. You can use stew on top of your rice, make renditions with fish, put some on top of your okra soup, use it as a base for your egusi soup, use as a base for jollof rice and many more. It is a cornerstone in my cooking and it is the first thing that my mother ever taught me how to make. I grew up helping her chop bell peppers, running away when the tomato paste was added to the oil and mixing the soup, ever so diligently. Put on some music and get cooking!

Below is my simple, but effective recipe!

Prep time: 20 mins

Cook time: 40 mins

Total time: 1 hr

Ingredients

• 6 red bell peppers
• 3 habaneros (scotch bonnet pepper or ata rodo)
• 1, 6 oz can of tomato paste
• 3 large tomatoes
• 2 medium size onions
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 1 pinch of thyme
• 1 teaspoon of curry powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground garlic
• 2 tablespoon of chicken bouillon

Put it all together!

1. Chop bell peppers, habaneros, tomatoes and onion and combine them in a blender.
2. Blend to a very fine puree, add some water to help make blending easier)
3. Heat 1 cup of vegetable oil in a large pot, add the tomato paste and fry a little mixing thoroughly to try and smooth it out (watch for splashing)
4. Pour the mixture into the pot, add chicken stock, bouillon, curry, thyme and garlic and mix well
5. Boil on medium heat until the mixture is well reduced (excess water removed) 40 minutes. Make sure to mix regularly as the soup will get very thick at the bottom and you want to make sure it is even.

Your stew is ready! Whether you are using it for rice and stew or for dipping dodo, I hope you enjoy!