I traveled home to the countryside last weekend, to see my parents. They have retired from active service in the city and are now home, just the two of them. I always get to see them whenever I'm less busy, do my siblings.
I'm a foodie alright but I wanted another kind of delicacy, not the usual food cooked with gas stove or electric stove as was usual in the city, but home village cooking with firewood. Infact I just couldn't wait...
Come with me as I walk you through the process. It's a very simple and well known dish, local rice and tomato sauce or stew with vegetables. Rice is a staple in the diet of many cultures and can be eaten anyhow you like it. Watch me make it the way I like it best 😉
First I make the fire, remember that I just wanted it cooked with firewood and nothing else.
Then with the pot balanced on the fire, I poured in the vegetable oil (made from peanuts).
Allowed it to heat up a little, just a little bit.
That's the onions, all nicely cut up.
The onions sizzling in the vegetable oil, the aroma is tantalizing.
That's the pureed tomatoes with beef. I usually cook my beef or whatever meat I'm using in the tomato puree, on low heat until tender and well spiced.
This tomato puree/beef combo goes in next.
The ingredients are now well mixed together.
Since it's firewood, I reduced heat intensity and allow to simmer gently until well cooked, add salt or any other seasoning you might want at this point.
Look at what I have got, a beautifully coloured stew or tomato sauce. 😋
The local rice is now well cooked on the fire.
I wanted to eat the dish with pumpkin leaves and since it was in the compound, I just pluck them fresh.
Properly washed with clean water.
And shred into tiny bits.
My dish is ready, yummy 😋
I must confess that the flavour was differently delicious, I couldn't have it enough.
Firewood-cooked meal is a delicacy for me anytime, natural and tasty.
Thank you.