HOW TO MAKE OFADA STEW.

Ofada Stew, also known as Ayamase or Designer Stew, is a popular Nigerian stew that is often served with Ofada Rice. The stew is known for its unique, spicy and delightful taste. It’s typically made with green bell peppers, scotch bonnet peppers, and assorted meats, which give it a distinct and delicious flavor.

Ingredients:
4-6 green bell peppers
2-3 scotch bonnet peppers (adjust to your desired heat level)
500g assorted meats (such as goat meat, liver, kidney, and others)
2 tablespoons ground crayfish
1 large onion (sliced)
3 tablespoons locust beans (iru)
4 tablespoons ground crayfish
4 boiled eggs (optional)
3 tablespoons groundnut oil or palm oil
2 seasoning cubes or powder
Salt to taste
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Meats
Season and Cook: Season the assorted meats with onions, a seasoning cube, and salt. Boil until they are well cooked. Fry or grill the meats until they are browned and set them aside.
If you’re using offals like liver and kidney, ensure to parboil them separately from the other meats due to their distinct flavors and textures.
Step 2: Prepare the Pepper Mix
Blend Peppers: Combine the green bell peppers and scotch bonnet peppers in a blender. Blend until you achieve a relatively smooth paste.
Cook Pepper Mix: Pour the blended pepper mix into a pot and cook until the water is significantly reduced, stirring occasionally.
Step 3: Cook the Stew
Prep Oil: If using groundnut oil, heat it in a pot. If you’re using palm oil, bleach it by heating it up until it becomes clear (be sure to do this in a well-ventilated area and be cautious).
Cook Onions: Add sliced onions to the hot oil and sauté until they become translucent.
Add Pepper Mix: Introduce the cooked pepper mix into the pot and stir.
Add Ingredients: Add locust beans (iru), ground crayfish, and seasoning cubes to the pot. Allow it to cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add Meat: Introduce the assorted meats into the pot, stir, and allow to cook for another 10-15 minutes.
Step 4: Add Boiled Eggs (optional)
Prepare Eggs: If you choose to include boiled eggs, add them at this stage. Ensure that the boiled eggs are peeled and set them into the stew to soak up the flavors.
Step 5: Adjust and Serve
Taste and Adjust: Check the stew for seasoning, adjust with salt and seasoning cubes if necessary, and allow it to simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
Serve: Turn off the heat and serve the Ofada stew hot alongside Ofada rice.
Notes:
Heat Level: Scotch bonnet peppers are quite spicy, so adjust according to your heat tolerance.
Meats: Ofada stew is typically rich in assorted meats, but you can customize the types of meat based on availability and preference.
Ofada Rice: Ofada stew is best enjoyed with Ofada rice, but it can also be paired with other types of rice.
Safety: Be very cautious when bleaching palm oil as it can catch fire easily. Ensure to do this in a well-ventilated area and stay attentive.
Enjoy your delicious Ofada stew!