I am related to some seriously good cooks. On my Dad’s side of the family, every birthday, anniversary or holiday is spent around tables laden with Danish specialties, family favorites or dishes featuring the fruits of my uncles hunting and fishes trips.
But there’s one dish that has no Danish roots whatsoever, and it most certainly does not feature salmon, trout or moose steak.
We grew up calling it Nigerian Stew, though I have no idea if it really is Nigerian. Oz, perhaps you know? 🙂
Whatever it is, I love it! 🙂 It’s the strangest concoction of meat, fruits, vegetables, rice and peanut butter. Yep, you read that correctly. 🙂
It’s the perfect dish for large groups since everyone can pile on what they like and skip the bits that make them squeamish.
When my cousin Nina invited me over for her birthday dinner this month (Happy Birthday, Nin!!), I was thrilled to hear she was making Nigerian Stew. She did a fantastic job, spending ages chopping everything beautifully. 🙂
The meal starts with a rich stew of hamburger, tomatoes, onion, peanut butter and cayenne pepper.
This is ladled over fluffy Basmati rice.
Then the fun begins!! You start to pile on whatever topping suits your fancy. Me? I like them all – except mushrooms. Blech. 🙂
You can choose from cucumber, bell pepper, tomatoes, strawberries, honeydew and cantaloupe…
Finish it off with a sprinkling of Golden raisins…
…ground peanuts and coconut, and you’re all set.
Now there’s nothing left to do but sit back and dig into the mound of strange deliciousness on your plate.
Nigerian Stew
Ingredients for the Sauce:
1 pound hamburger
15 ounce tomato sauce
15 ounce canned diced tomatoes
1/2 – 3/4 cup peanut butter
1 onion, chopped
1 tsp cayenne pepper
salt
Directions:
- Fry hamburger, mix in rest of ingredients and simmer until ready to serve.
Remaining Ingredients:
basmati rice, cooked according to instructions
fresh tomatoes
cucumber
onion
green pepper
shredded coconut
mushrooms
ground peanuts
bananas
pineapple
honeydew
cantaloupe
grapes
raisins
Directions:
- Chop all fresh ingredients and assemble in small bowls with spoons.
- Spoon rice onto plates.
- Top with sauce.
- Add whatever ingredients you like.