NIGERIAN BEEF STEW

This stew combines a mix of tomatoes, peppers and onions. It is easily prepared and comes in handy because it can be prepared in advance, frozen and used Nigerian for a variety of meals such as plain rice dishes, African soups, boiled yam e.t.c. Once the stew is boiled a variety of cooked meat is usually added such as turkey, beef, chicken, goat meat, cow stomach, just some examples of what can be added to the stew. In this instance I only added beef but be free to add different varieties as you prefer.

Ingredients

• 10 - 15 fresh tomatoes
• 3 onion bulbs
• 10 -15 Fresno chili peppers
• 3 garlic cloves (optional)
• Ginger (optional)
• 500g beef
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2 stock cube
• 1tbsp curry
• 1tbsp thyme
• Salt to taste
• Water

How to prepare
-Clean and cut meat into small bite sized prices. Place in a pot add thyme, curry, one stock cube, salt to taste and enough water to just cover meat and cook meat until well done (about 45 minutes). Set aside and reserve beef stock.

-Peel two of three onions and cut into wedges and remove stems from and Fresno peppers (some people prefer to add red bell peppers because they have less heat).

-Place peppers, onions, tomatoes, garlic and ginger in a blender. Add as little water as possible (just enough to help with the blending).

-Blend tomatoes, onions and peppers until completely smooth and free from all lumps.

-Once completely blended, pour tomato purée into a pot and bring to a boil.

-Boil tomato puree until it thickens in consistency, the colour deepens and the excess water added during the blending process dries up.

-Dice remaining onion.

-In a different pot heat up vegetable oil, add onions and fry till onions are translucent.

-Add boiled tomato purée and fry for about 25 - 30 minutes or until tomatoes loose its sour taste (stirring constantly to prevent burning at the bottom).

-Add beef stock and cook for further 10 minutes.

-Add boiled beef, stock cube and salt to taste. Cover and leave to simmer on low heat for 5 more minutes.

-Serve with the main dish and enjoy.