Tag: Chicken

Ofe Ogbono and Nni Oka

Posted on by ChiO

As a bonafide Onitsha babe, Nni Oka + Ofe Ogbono holds a special place in my heart, and frankly in my life. It takes its position of honor in any authentic Onitsha Ado celebration, and is the queen of all soup/swallow combos in my books :).

“Ofe-Ogbono” means “Ogbono soup”, and “Nni Oka” is roughly translated to “Corn Meal” although it is not the actual “Corn Meal” we are all familiar with.  “Ogbono” is the seed of a mango-like fruit. Most people cook ogbono with okro to provide crunch and texture. “Ogbono has a “draw” effect when cooked.

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Mummy’s Pepper Stew

Posted on by ChiO

Growing up, rice was the standard lunch for sundays. I am not sure why, but it was usually Rice + Stew + Plantain + Coleslaw in my home on sundays.

Sunday stew was different from any other stew. It was more flavorful, very aromatic, and made with different types of animal protein not just chicken. The best part was that my mother usually cooked the sunday stew. My mother’s stew could not be compared to the help’s stew. It definitely had “Mummy’s” touch 🙂

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Chicken Stew

Posted on by ChiO

Hello hello,

Today is my Birthday!!!! Thankful to God for life, good health, and joy! After a walk around the MLK Monument in DC, i ended up at home for the #RealTurnUp. Details of the turn-up coming soon, but this stew was the main entree at my Birthday TurnUp.

This stew is not quick. it needs at least 45 minutes of cooking time.

Ingredients

  1. A whole “heavy” fleshy chicken from the African Store – chopped. (it is important you use this kind of chicken because the regular grocery store chicken will disintegrate in the sauce)
  2. 2 1/2 cups of pomi crushed tomatoes
  3. 1 cup of vegetable oil
  4. 4 large red bell peppers
  5. 1 large red onion
  6. 1 tbsp ground ginger
  7. 1 tbsp ground garlic
  8. 1 tbsp curry powder
  9. 2 bullion cubes
  10. 2 tbsp ground hot peppers (optional)
  11. 1 tbsp herbs de provence
  12. 1 tbsp thyme
  13. 4 whole bay leaves

Method

  • Put the chicken in a pot, add water, and rinse
  • Pour out as much of the rinsing water as possible
  • Set the pot on a stovetop on high heat
  • Add the crushed tomatoes to the pot

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  • Blend the peppers and onions in the food processor without water

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  • Blend until the mixture is crushed but not smooth like a paste

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  •  Add the blended mixture to the pot
  • Add everything else to the pot

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  • Stir the mixture, cover the pot and leave to cook on medium heat for about 45mins or until the stew thickens and oil rises to the top.

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  • Turn off the heat and serve with rice, beans, lentils or root tubers like boiled yam.
  • We had ours with herbed white rice, boiled honey beans, and fried plantain

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Oya come chop! 🙂