Tomato stew is a quintessential dish enjoyed across various cultures, with its vibrant red color and rich, savory taste making it a beloved meal in many homes.
Whether paired with rice, ugali, or other side dishes, tomato stew serves as the perfect complement to a hearty meal. The recipe shared here presents a step-by-step guide to making a mouth-watering tomato stew with cow meat.
From prepping the ingredients to the final simmer, this stew is sure to impress your family and friends.
Ingredients for Tomato Stew
To make this tomato stew, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 2 kg cow meat (cut into pieces)
- 1,500 ml ground tomatoes
- Fresh red pepper and onion (blended together)
- 1 cup sliced onions
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground garlic
- Vegetables (optional, like curry leaves, pumpkin leaves, etc.)
- 400 ml vegetable oil
- 3 stock cubes
- Salt to taste
- 1 teaspoon beef seasoning spice
Preparation: Getting the Ingredients Ready
Before diving into the actual cooking process, it’s important to get all the ingredients prepared:
1. Wash and blend the tomatoes: Begin by washing the tomatoes thoroughly. Once clean, blend them alongside the fresh pepper and onions. The combination of these ingredients will form the base of the stew, providing that rich, full-bodied flavor.
2. Prepare the meat: Wash the cow meat and then parboil it. Add three stock cubes, a teaspoon of salt, curry powder, thyme, and half a cup of sliced onions into the pot while parboiling the meat. For that extra layer of flavor, add a teaspoon of your favorite beef seasoning spice. This method of using generous amounts of seasoning during the parboiling process helps tenderize the meat and infuses it with robust flavors that carry through the entire stew.
3. Blend crayfish and nutmeg: For an added depth of flavor, blend crayfish and nutmeg seeds together. This mixture will enhance the aroma and taste of the stew.
4.Optional vegetables: If you enjoy adding vegetables like curry leaves or pumpkin leaves, you can prepare them at this stage. These will add a delightful earthy flavor and additional texture to the stew.
Cooking the Tomato Stew
Now that everything is prepared, it’s time to cook the stew:
Step 1: Frying the Tomatoes
One of the secrets to a flavorful tomato stew lies in the frying process. While some people might prefer to cook the tomatoes directly in the pot with the meat, I recommend frying the tomatoes separately first. This method helps to lose the sour taste of the tomatoes, creating a richer and smoother sauce.
✓ Start by heating a frying pan on medium heat and adding 400 ml of vegetable oil. Once the oil is hot, add the sliced onions and fry for about 2 minutes. This will release the natural aroma of the onions and enhance the flavor of the oil.
✓ Next, pour in the ground tomatoes and fresh pepper mixture. Stir the ingredients occasionally to prevent burning, and let them cook for 20-30 minutes. During this time, the tomatoes will start to reduce, and the oil will separate from the mixture, giving the stew a more refined flavor.
Step 2: Incorporating the Pre-cooked Meat
Once the tomato mixture has been properly fried, it’s time to add the pre-cooked meat and its stock. Carefully transfer the meat and its flavorful stock into the frying pan with the tomatoes. This will allow the meat to absorb the tomato and pepper flavors while simmering in the rich tomato sauce.
Step 3: Seasoning and Final Simmer
At this point, it’s time to add the ground spices: ginger and garlic. These ingredients will bring a fragrant, slightly spicy kick to the stew. Stir everything together and let it cook for an additional 10 minutes.
✓ For an extra burst of flavor, you can add another stock cube at this stage, depending on your taste preferences.
✓ Add the nutmeg and continue stirring. Nutmeg has a warm, aromatic flavor that perfectly complements the savory nature of the stew.
Taste the stew for salt and seasoning, adjusting as needed. After everything is well-mixed and the stew has simmered for a final 10 minutes, your tomato stew will be ready to serve.
Serving the Tomato Stew
Tomato stew is versatile and can be enjoyed with a variety of side dishes. It pairs wonderfully with:
Rice: The rich, savory stew complements the neutral flavor of steamed rice, making it a perfect meal for lunch or dinner.
Ugali: In many African cultures, tomato stew is traditionally served with ugali, a thick maize porridge that’s the perfect accompaniment to soak up the stew.
Fried plantains: If you're looking to add a sweet element, fried plantains are a great addition.
Vegetables: You can also serve the stew with a side of sautéed greens or steamed vegetables for a more balanced meal.
Making a delicious tomato stew is all about layering flavors and using the right technique. By following the steps outlined above, you can create a rich, savory stew that is sure to impress anyone who tastes it.
Whether you're cooking for a family dinner, a special occasion, or simply craving a hearty meal, this tomato stew recipe will never disappoint. Enjoy the comfort and satisfaction that comes with a bowl of homemade stew!
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