 |
| Frying tomatoes for preservation Boil and blend before frying. In case there is still water after blending, you can boil a little again before frying. |
 |
| boiling tomatoes before blending. Remember to blend with pepper and onions for good flavor. Fry with seasoning too before storing in the freezer. It saves time later.
I learnt this from Auntie Jenny as a teenager, so you see, I don't forget easily *rolls eyes*. This tip
|
We know that cooking the Nigerian tomato stew is very easy, but getting it to taste like stew should, is a different ball game. Haven't you experienced times when you shop for the best parts of beef, chicken, goat meat and all to cook a great pot of stew, then at the end of the day, You get disappointing results.
It is either that the stew has a sour taste or that the tomato tastes raw.
Sometimes you try to overcome that raw taste in tomatoes by frying until you end up with burnt stew.
There are some species of tomato that no matter the degree of *boiling after blending,* however you fry them, They just call you "a bad cook" at the end of the day.
Some ladies believe that it is only the plum tomatoes that do not give a sour taste, that all other types can only give you a tasteless pot of stew. THAT IS NOT TRUE!
Give me any type of tomato, even the ones that are not very ripe and you won't believe the result at the end of the day.
Cooking good stew is a skill. Do you agree? If you don't agree, then I won't spill. Anyway, I better not take this secret with me to the grave o. What will it profit me? I'd rather share.
Are you still reading this? OK, that means you are interested. Then, here it is......
- Do you still blend your tomatoes before boiling? Why waste all that time and gas?
- Stop that right away, take your tomatoes home.
- Wash and chop into the pot.
- Boil it.
- Drain the excess water and allow to cool
- Blend your tomatoes with some onion and fresh red pepper.
- Boil a little bit to the consistency you prefer or just fry in hot cooking oil.
- I did not promise to teach you how to cook the stew, I only promised you my personal secret which I have already spilled in number 3 to 5. You can now fry your tomato and cook your stew the way you know best.
- Do not forget to come back here and thank me when you hear good comments about your next pot of stew. A little ground crayfish does wonders. i.e to those who like crayfish stew.
- Enjoy and share with those who care to accept change! Good luck!
NOTE: your canned tomato should be added to the blended tomato, OR boiled with the blended tomato BEFORE FRYING!!
How To Preserve Fresh Tomatoes:
I like to fry until the oil begins to separate from the tomatoes and I begins to create dimples in the tomatoes.
TIP: Frying with pepper, onion, seasoning and salt is a saver. Whenever you need tomato to cook other dishes, or stew, what you do is bring out the fried preserved tomato and just add to the meat stock, like magic, your stew is ready.
This way, you don't cook stew afresh every time you need it.
How To Preserve Fresh Tomatoes:
I like to fry until the oil begins to separate from the tomatoes and I begins to create dimples in the tomatoes.
TIP: Frying with pepper, onion, seasoning and salt is a saver. Whenever you need tomato to cook other dishes, or stew, what you do is bring out the fried preserved tomato and just add to the meat stock, like magic, your stew is ready.
This way, you don't cook stew afresh every time you need it.
Related articles
Hmm... interesting. Living abroad and not having the usual Nigerian tomato, my stew usually suffers loss and I hate to admit that I am one of those that used to boil till it burns but then I started adding crayfish. Don't even question me! It came out great. It takes out the 'live' taste of the tomato and adds a different flavor...
ReplyDeleteBut I'll try this once. If it works... I'll take all credit for it amongst my family (lol). If it doesn't... I will kill you! lmao
How far NR? You haven't killed me o, so, that means it worked. Yay!
DeleteHa ha ha! Adding crayfish to stew gives it a different yummy flavour. It takes away that raw, kind of sour tomato taste. I also add crayfish sometimes, so thanks for reminding me "cos I haven't added in a long while. Boiling takes away that raw taste, and I think you will Love it, so, I still have many years to live. Lol!!
ReplyDeleteHi,this is coming really late,but,i think boiling of tomato before blending and even excessive frying leads to loss of nutrients.
ReplyDeleteYes, cooking generally destroys nutrients. When I want to eat with all the nutrients intact, I just go for salads. I love tomato salads. That way nothing is destroyed by heat.
ReplyDeleteWe cannot live on only raw foods because we want to preserve all the nutrients. Moderate cooking is OK. Do not over boil the tomatoes. Once the water seeps into the pot, drain and blend. You can even chop and fry if you don't mind the tomato chunks in your plate. Try it and see the difference OK?
NOTE: your canned tomato should be boiled with the blended tomato BEFORE FRYING!!
ReplyDeleteMy qtn is how do i boil d canned tomato wit d blended tomato n stil drain it out, won't d canned tomato be drained out as well? Pls more details. Meanwhile I luv ur blogs!!! U hv kept me glued 2 it since dis morning!!! Lols
Thank you! sorry I could not reply early due to loss of internet connection at the location I traveled to.
DeleteAfter blending, you do not need to drain again. Draining comes after boiling the chopped tomatoes. Hope I answered you. Thanks for reading!
Wow! Just discovered ur blog and I have it bookmarked already (shows I'm going to be here always) btw I'm sharing the page with 30 ladies on my BB group (remember me wen d cash starts rolling in). Lol. Tnx for a good job.
ReplyDeleteThank you! thanks for sharing and getting ready to enjoy the cash.:)(:
DeleteWow. Just discovered ur blog and I'm really impressed. I've bookmarked already and I'm just waiting to finish typing dis before sharing with friends on my bbm group (remember me wen d cash starts rolling in). Lol. Welldone dear.
ReplyDeleteWow. Just discovered ur blog and I'm really impressed. I've bookmarked already and I'm just waiting to finish typing dis before sharing with friends on my bbm group (remember me wen d cash starts rolling in). Lol. Welldone dear.
ReplyDeleteWow. Just discovered ur blog and I'm really impressed. I've bookmarked already and I'm just waiting to finish typing dis before sharing with friends on my bbm group (remember me wen d cash starts rolling in). Lol. Welldone dear.
ReplyDeleteBut wait oh. Wen i preserve dis tomato eh,can i use it to eat rice like dat? Can i use it as a fully made stew? Or do i need to do any further tin? Hpe u get my questn.
ReplyDeleteYes Sheila, you can use it for anything. Only thing is, there is no meat, fish or chicken there yet, and you have not added it to any stock to enhance the taste. If you can eat without meat, why not.
DeleteI have learnt ohhhhhhh
ReplyDeleteHi, I always feel bad when I cook stew and it tastes sour,I feel so ashamed of myself....my question is am I to add water in the chopped tomato for boiling or would I just put the tomato in the pot and boil, and must I reboil the blended tomato again before frying,I feel it's a whole waste of time,what if my husband is starving....tnx
ReplyDeleteThe washed and chopped tomatoes already have some water. You don't need to add water before boiling. You can fry after blending, i.e if you are Ok with the thickness.
ReplyDeleteThis is good info.; tnx Aunty Eya!
ReplyDelete