The most popular food eaten in Nigeria and several parts of the world is rice. Rice (Oryza sativa) is a popular grain widely eaten in homes, restaurants and occasions. You cannot but mention rice if you are to list out foods. Along with beans, they have dominated people’s menu and food timetables.
Rice eaten in this part of the world is mostly imported from countries such as Thailand, China etc. There is locally-made rice; they are called ‘Ofada rice or Igbemo rice’ while others refer to it as ‘Oh God!’ a name derived from the expression when eaten because of the presence of pebbles. White rice can be eaten with beans, plantain and vegetables. It is mostly served with stew in Nigeria. Rice is a source of carbohydrate.
INGREDIENTS
The ingredients for preparing white rice and stew include; rice, ground pepper, ground tomatoes, palm oil/groundnut oil, dry fish, locust bean, crayfish, stock cubes and salt to taste.
BEFORE PREPARATION
Parboil the meat with stock cubes, curry and salt to taste. Wash the dry fish, cray fish and set aside.
PREPARATION
The first thing to do is to cook the white rice. The rice should be washed thoroughly to reduce its starch content and dirt. It is then parboiled in water with pinch of salt added. It is done when the rice is soft and good in taste. For the stew, heat the groundnut oil or palm oil in a medium heat in a pot. The ground pepper and tomatoes are then poured into the hot oil.
Pour the stock from the beef. Stir the contents continuously and then add crayfish, locust bean, seasoning and salt to taste. Introduce the dry fish and boiled meat into the content and stir. Allow to simmer for about 2 minutes thereafter it is done. White rice and stew is a popular food in every Nigerian restaurant. It is also sold by street hawkers and ‘bookah’. The rate at which white and stew is consumed is as if there would be a life with this meal.
