HOW TO PREPARE GIZDODO.

“Gizdodo” is a delightful Nigerian dish that combines gizzards and plantains, cooked in a spicy pepper sauce. It’s often served as a side dish, but it can also stand alone as a tasty snack or main course. Here’s a step-by-step guide to preparing Gizdodo:

Ingredients:
500g chicken gizzards
4 ripe plantains
4 tomatoes
3 red bell peppers
2 scotch bonnet peppers
1 large onion
3 cloves of garlic (minced)
1 teaspoon ginger (minced)
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon curry powder
2 bay leaves
2 seasoning cubes or 1 teaspoon seasoning powder
Salt to taste
Chopped spring onions, bell peppers, or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Gizzards
Clean: Rinse the gizzards thoroughly.
Season: Marinate them with chopped onions, garlic, ginger, thyme, curry powder, a seasoning cube, and salt. Allow to sit for 15-30 minutes or more for better flavor infusion.
Cook: Boil the gizzards until they are tender and then cut them into bite-sized pieces.
Fry: Heat some vegetable oil in a pan and fry the gizzards until they are browned and crispy. Set them aside.
Step 2: Prepare the Plantains
Peel and Cut: Peel the plantains and cut them into bite-sized cubes.
Fry: Heat vegetable oil in a pan and fry the plantain cubes until they are golden brown. Set them aside.
Step 3: Prepare the Pepper Sauce
Blend: Combine tomatoes, red bell peppers, and scotch bonnet peppers in a blender and blend until smooth.
Cook: Pour the blended mix into a pot and cook until it reduces and thickens.
Sauté: In a separate pan, heat some vegetable oil, then add chopped onions and sauté until translucent. Add minced garlic and ginger and sauté for an additional minute.
Combine: Add the cooked pepper mix to the sautéed onions. Add tomato paste, thyme, curry powder, bay leaves, and the remaining seasoning cube or powder. Allow the sauce to cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 4: Combine All Ingredients
Add Gizzards and Plantains: Introduce the fried gizzards and plantains into the pepper sauce.
Mix: Gently stir until the gizzards and plantains are well coated in the sauce.
Cook: Allow to simmer for an additional 5 minutes so the gizzards and plantains can absorb the sauce.
Taste: Adjust the seasoning with salt and allow to cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Garnish: Sprinkle with chopped spring onions, bell peppers, or parsley.
Serve: Gizdodo can be served as a side dish with rice, as a main course, or enjoyed as a snack.
Notes:
Spiciness: Adjust the quantity of scotch bonnet peppers according to your heat preference.
Vegetables: Feel free to add or top with sautéed or fresh vegetables for an extra boost of flavor and nutrition.
Variation: Some people add a bit of soy sauce or stir-fry the gizzards with some vegetables for a different version of Gizdodo.
Enjoy your Gizdodo!