Obara Stew

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 red bell peppers, diced 2 red bell peppers, diced
• 2 tomatoes, chopped 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cup (240ml) tomato puree 1 cup (240ml) tomato puree
• 1 cup (240ml) unsalted peanuts, ground 1 cup (240ml) unsalted peanuts, ground
• 2 cups (470ml) vegetable or chicken broth 2 cups (470ml) vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon curry powder 1 teaspoon curry powder
• 1 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to taste) 1 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to taste)
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 pound (450g) meat of choice (beef, chicken, or goat), cubed OR 2 cups (300g) mixed vegetables (carrots, potatoes, bell peppers, etc.) 1 pound (450g) meat of choice (beef, chicken, or goat), cubed OR 2 cups (300g) mixed vegetables (carrots, potatoes, bell peppers, etc.)
• Fresh cilantro or parsley, for garnish Fresh cilantro or parsley, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories: 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat: 25g (Saturated Fat: 4g)
• Carbohydrates: 15g (Sugar: 6g)
• Protein: 20g
• Fiber: 5g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sauté until fragrant and translucent.
2. 2.
   Add the diced red bell peppers and chopped tomatoes to the pot. Cook for 5 minutes until the vegetables soften.
3. 3.
   Stir in the tomato puree and ground peanuts, ensuring they are well combined with the vegetables.
4. 4.
   Pour in the vegetable or chicken broth, paprika, curry powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well to incorporate all the flavors.
5. 5.
   If using meat, add the cubed meat to the pot and simmer for 30-40 minutes until tender. If using vegetables, add them to the pot and simmer for 20-25 minutes until cooked through.
6. 6.
   Adjust the seasoning according to your taste preferences.
7. 7.
   Serve the Obara Stew hot, garnished with fresh cilantro or parsley. Enjoy with rice, pounded yam, or fufu.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Peanuts — If you prefer a smoother texture, you can use peanut butter instead of ground peanuts. Simply add 1/2 cup (120ml) of peanut butter to the stew and stir until well incorporated.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra kick of heat, add a chopped scotch bonnet pepper or cayenne pepper to the stew.
• To enhance the flavors, you can roast the peanuts before grinding them.
• If you prefer a thicker stew, you can add a tablespoon of tomato paste.
• Feel free to customize the vegetables in the stew based on your preferences and seasonal availability.
• Leftover Obara Stew can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together.

Serving advice

Serve the Obara Stew hot with a side of fluffy white rice or traditional Nigerian staples like pounded yam or fufu. Garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley for added freshness.

Presentation advice

Present the Obara Stew in a deep bowl, allowing the vibrant red color to shine through. Place a scoop of rice or pounded yam in the center of the bowl and ladle the stew around it. Garnish with a sprig of fresh cilantro or parsley for an appealing touch.