ARE YOU A LEARNER? THIS IS HOW TO MAKE ''AYAMASE'' (DON'T COOK IT WIFE) , OFADA STEW

Ofada stew or Ayamase is a tasty,spicy stew that you eat and just can't forget.

 It used to be a ''best-kept-secret',' and was only known by the natives and a few Mamaput/Buka(road side cooks)  in  south-western Nigeria; no wonder people just can't get enough after a visit to the Buka. 

Well, now we can all replicate these stew in our homes. So here's the Ofada stew (Ayamase) recipe and below are frequently asked questions about this native stew. ...  hope you enjoy.

Ingredients for Ofada stew (Ayamase)

*7 Large Green bell peppers

*4 Green scotch bonnet peppers(atarodo)(It's okay if it has some red spots)

*500 grams Assorted meat (beef,kpomo, cow foot,tripe(shaki)... or as desired)

*Assorted dry Fish (stock fish or smoked fish)(optional)

*1/4 cup Crayfish (about a handful) 

*1 wrap OR 1 tablespoonful Iru/dawadawa OR ogiri

*3 large Onions

*2 Stock cube/seasoning cube

*Salt to taste

*600ml Palm oil 

Garnish:

*4 Hard Boiled eggs(without shell)

Cooking Directions 

* Grind the iru and the crayfish together and set aside

* If you're using stock fish and smoked fish, wash and cook until tender, and set aside

* Wash and Cut the meat into bite sizes; season with onions, one stock cube and salt to taste. You can season the meat as you like :)

    Cook until tender. It is always better to cook the tougher meat first, which in  my case is the cow foot and the tripe(shaki). Then after 20 minutes ,add the beef and kpomo(cow skin).

    When the meat is done cooking, you can grill or fry or simply set aside for later use.

Tip: the natives fry the meat in palm oil or grill it on homemade grill.

* Coarsely blend all the peppers &1 large onion together in a blender. You can add a LITTLE water to help move the blender blades. 

    Pour the blended mixture into a dry pot and heat up to dry out excess liquid from the peppers.

TIP: Another method  is to pour the pepper mixture through a sieve(with a tight mesh), press down with a cooking spoon to make sure that you get out, as much liquid as possible, then set aside until needed.

* Now ,place the palm oil on heat ,add some onion rings(adding the onions is optional but it gives extra flavor).

       Cover the pot and bleach the palm oil on medium heat until  the onions are completely burnt black and the palm oil changes from red to light brown in color. 

       If you didn't add onions, the color will be light yellow(just like the color of vegetable oil). 

       Put off the heat, and let the oil cool completely without opening it. If you don't cover it, THE OIL WILL SMOKE A LOT AND WILL SMELL ALL OVER THE HOUSE, and might start off the smoke alarm(if you have one).

* Place the bleached oil back on the stove-top(remove the burnt onions) and heat up a little, then add chopped onions, and the dried out peppers .

     Cook for about 20 minutes and add the assorted meat and fish, ground iru,crayfish,the second stock cube and salt to taste. Mix thoroughly and simmer for 10 minutes. 

      Then add the peeled hard boiled eggs.

 And your Ofada stew (Ayamase) is ready.  Serve with Ofada rice(or any rice of choice), boiled yams, potatoes or plantains.