Fish Stew
Fish Stew is not an unfamiliar recipe for Nigerian meals. Usually it is fried or steamed. For those avoiding the oil or simply wanting to save cooking time, will rather steam the fish. Baking is an interesting option I am providing in this recipe. Baking the fish offers very tasty and interesting alternative to steaming . My other twist in this recipe is to add chopped tomatoes into the stew, to add some more texture to the stew.
As I come from Oron in Akwa Ibom state of Nigeria, fish and other sea foods are not difficult to come by. During morning markets at the beach or evening when the boats arrive from the Atlantic Ocean and the fishermen bring in their catch. You can be sure to have a wide selection of varieties from fish,crabs, lobster, mussels, to periwinkles. Guess what ,when I travel to the village from Lagos , I will usually go with cooler bags to bring back enough fish to last me at least 3 months. Hmmh you must be green with envy. The beehive of activities, at the beach is always exciting. Buying here also is cheaper than buying from the market. Fresh fish bargaining is an art which I have had to learn, but be ready for insults as fish traders are impatient with bad bargainers.
Nutritionally, white meats like fish continue to be rated high as good source of protein. Proteins at dinner are also one way of keeping the calorie intake down. When you are trying to distribute calories aim to have your fish or chicken in the evenings with some vegetables .
My offering of baked fish stew comes with the benefit of vegetables from tomatoes, onion and pepper. As with most dishes you may want to vary this recipe with the addition of carrots, green pepper and cabbage . Served with boiled rice, potatoes or plantain , you will enjoy this offering.
Recipe for Nigerian Fish Stew
Ingredient
4 cooking spoons Tomato/ pepper blend( boiled)
4 pieces fresh Tomatoes( chopped in large pieces)
1 medium size Onion
2 large slices of Fish ( cut into 4 )
2 cooking spoons vegetable oil
1 table spoon pepper/ garlic/ ginger mix for seasoning fish
Partminger or curry leaves ( optional)
Seasoning cube to taste
Salt to taste
Foil for wrapping fish
Method
1,Season fish with salt, seasoning, spices and one tablespoon oil. You may wish to use fish spices from shops.
2, Wrap fish in foil and allow to marinade for about 20 minutes and bake in the oven for about 15 – 20 minutes.
3, Heat up the oil and fry the onion for 1 minute
4, Add the chopped tomato and fry for 2minutes
5, Add tomato/ pepper blend and fry for another 5 minutes, stirring as you fry.
6, Add the seasoning and salt to taste .
7, Add curry leaves if desired, and cook for just few seconds
8, Scoop stew over the fish and serve with rice
good to be here