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    Home » Nigerian Recipes » Ayamase (Designer stew)

    Published: Nov 9, 2019 by Ajoke

    Ayamase (Designer stew)

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    Ayamase also called designer stew is the ‘fraternal twin’ of the ofada stew I recently made. The same ingredients are used except for tomatoes and instead of using the red bell pepper; you use green bell pepper. You can use a variety of green peppers and chillies you want.

    overhead shot of ayamase stew containing assorted meat and boiled eggs.

    This stew requires a lot of patience when cooking and in my opinion, it tastes a lot better when left to rest for some few minutes or hours before serving. Trust me Ayamase tastes a lot better if done this way. Ayamase is served a lot at Nigerian parties and in restaurants here in the UK. People look forward a lot to it, when you have your next guest, wow them with your designer stew. It is always a hit!

    Just like I pointed out in the ofada stew, one of the processes involved for making ayamase stew entails bleaching palm oil which can be very dangerous if not handled with care. I recommend you bleach on a low heat in a well-ventilated kitchen and on low heat.

    overhead shot of ayamase stew containing assorted meat and boiled eggs.

    Ingredients for ayamase

    6 large green bell peppers

    3 medium onions, chop a half bulb and reserve

    3 red or orange scotch bonnet (use according to preference)

    800g assorted meat cut into small pieces (I used a combination of lungs, ponmo, shaki and beef)

    6 boiled eggs, peeled

    4 tbsp Iru woro (locust beans)

    3tbs bouillon powder (I used jumbo brand)

    Salt to taste

    2 cups cooking spoon of palm oil

    3 tbsp ground crayfish (optional)

    Prep

    Boil assorted meat with 1 tsp bouillon, onion and salt until tender. Fry or grill assorted meat and set aside

    Add bell peppers, onions and scotch bonnet chilli to a blender or food processor on a pulse. You have 2 options here, to either boil the blender pepper till reduced in size or sieve to get rid of excess water. By boiling or sieving the pepper would reduce the cooking time.

     

    image collage of blended green pepper on a sieve.

    How to bleach palm oil

    Place a clean and sturdy pan on low heat, pour palm oil and bleach till palm oil is transparent but not black (this should take about 15 to 20 minutes if done on low heat). Alternatively, keep the pot covered during the whole process to avoid a smoky kitchen. Do a pepper test for the oil; dip a white paper in the oil and if it comes out clean and translucent then it’s ok to be used for the stew.

    Please ensure you keep your kitchen well ventilated during this process.

    If you see the residue in the oil, allow the palm oil to cool down a bit and swap pan to a clean one then carefully pour the oil leaving the dirt out.

    How to make ayamase

    Return the swapped clean pan with bleached palm oil on medium heat, and then add the chopped onions, then the locust beans. After about 30 seconds of frying add the cubed assorted meat and fry until golden (anything between 3 to 5 minutes)

    Add the boiled pepper and cook for about 5 minutes. Add little water to dilute if the sauce is thick and reduce the heat.

    collage of how to bleach palm oil.

    Add boiled eggs, stir in gently so as not to break them.

    Add bouillon powder and salt to taste, add crayfish and continue to cook on low heat, don't forget to stir in between to avoid burning. (you can either leave the pot open or cover with a lid. I don’t cover with a lid as I cook on low heat which reduces splatter)

     stew being cooked in a pot.

    Continue to cook the stew until palm oil floats on the top and the colour of the pepper is changed from green to brown.

    Leave to rest for about 5 minutes and serve with boiled ofada rice or plain boiled rice.

    ready to eat ayamase in a pot.

    How to serve this stew

    It is mostly eaten with ofada rice or plain white rice. You can also serve it boiled yam

    overhead shot of ayamase stew containing assorted meat and boiled eggs.
    Print Recipe
    4.60 from 5 votes

    Ayamase (Designer Stew)

    Ayamase also called designer stew is the ‘fraternal twin’ of the Ofada stew. The same ingredients are used for both stew except for tomatoes. Also, instead of using the red bell pepper, you use green bell pepper and chillies for ayamase. You can use a variety of green peppers and chillies you want. Ayamase is mostly eaten with ofada rice or plain white rice. You can also serve it boiled yam
    Prep Time30 mins
    Cook Time45 mins
    Total Time1 hr 15 mins
    Course: Side Dish, Stew
    Cuisine: African
    Keyword: Ayamase, How to make ayamase
    Servings: 6
    Author: Ajoke
    Cost: about £6

    Equipment

    • Sturdy saucepan

    Ingredients

    • 6 large green bell peppers
    • 3 medium onions chop a half bulb and reserve
    • 3 red or orange scotch bonnet use according to preference
    • 800 g assorted meat cut into small pieces I used a combination of lungs, ponmo, shaki and beef
    • 6 boiled eggs peeled
    • 4 tbsp Iru woro locust beans
    • 3 tbs bouillon powder I used jumbo brand
    • Salt to taste
    • 2 cups cooking spoon of palm oil
    • 3 tbsp ground crayfish optional

    Instructions

    Prep

    • Boil assorted meat with 1 tsp bouillon, onion and salt until tender. Fry or grill assorted meat and set aside
    • Add bell peppers, onions and scotch bonnet chilli to a blender or food processor on a pulse. You have 2 options here, to either boil the blender pepper till reduced in size or sieve to get rid of excess water. By boiling or sieving the pepper would reduce the cooking time.

    How to bleach palm oil

    • Place a clean and sturdy pan on low heat, pour palm oil and bleach till palm oil is transparent but not black (this should take about 15 to 20 minutes if done on low heat). Alternatively, keep the pot corvered during the whole process to avoid smoky kitchen. Do a pepper test for the oil; dip a white paper in the oil and if it comes out clean and translucent then it’s ok to be used for the stew.
    • Please ensure you keep your kitchen well ventilated during this process.
    • If you see residue in the oil, allow the palm oil to cool down a bit and swap pan to a clean one then carefully pour the oil leaving the dirt out.

    How to make ayamase

    • Return the swapped clean pan with bleached palm oil on medium heat, and then add the chopped onions, then the locust beans. After about 30 seconds of frying add the cubed assorted meat and fry until golden (anything between 3 to 5 minutes)
    • Add the boiled pepper and cook for about 5 minutes. Add little water to dilute if the sauce is thick and reduce the heat.
    • Add boiled eggs, stir in gently so as not to break them.
    • Add bouillon powder and salt to taste, add crayfish and continue to cook on low heat, don't forget to stir in between to avoid burning. (you can either leave the pot open or cover with a lid. I don’t cover with a lid as I cook on low heat which reduces splatter)
    • Continue to cook the stew until palm oil floats on the top and the colour of the pepper is changed from green to brown.
    • Leave to rest for about 5 minutes and serve with boiled ofada rice or plain boiled rice.

    Notes

    Bleach more palm oil than you would need, leave to cool completely and store in a bottle or freezer for up to 6 months.
    Store ayamase stew in the freezer for up to 6 months. Do not freeze with the boiled eggs

    This recipe was updated with new photos in 2019. Below is one of the pictures used for this recipe in case you are curious.

    ayamase

    Thanks for reading and kindly leave me feedback when you try this recipe.  Share your food pictures with me on Instagram @myactivekitchen. You can also pin this recipe on Pinterest

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Folake says

      April 14, 2021 at 6:07 pm

      I just made mine now,so so delicious.Thanks for this recipe.

      Reply
    2. Rya says

      June 04, 2020 at 9:37 am

      4 stars
      Hi your recipe is very straight forward and I hope I would be able to make it. Please what’s bouillon powder though and where can someone get it in Nigeria

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        June 04, 2020 at 8:39 am

        Thank you Rya, bouillon powder is the same as maggi or knorr but in powder form. Use any maggi you have or used to. Thank you and I look forward to your feedback

        Reply
    3. Ayobami Chiemeke says

      May 19, 2020 at 9:52 pm

      Hi, how long will this stew last in the fridge?

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        May 20, 2020 at 9:13 am

        Hello, it would stay fresh in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days. In the freezer, up to 3 months but I don't freeze the eggs

        Reply
    4. Wifeofthelacq says

      October 29, 2017 at 4:13 am

      5 stars
      Amazing!! I tried it out . Very simple and straight forward

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        December 01, 2017 at 11:21 am

        Yay! happy to hear that. thanks for the feedback

        Reply
    5. Tolulope says

      July 22, 2015 at 8:09 pm

      This is absolutely yum yum! I'll try it out soonest. In another news, are you in the UK babes? I should visit ooooo! Lol.......

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        July 22, 2015 at 8:18 pm

        Thanks Tolulope and don't forget to leave a feedback when you try it out. I live in the UK dear, send me an email here: [email protected]

        Reply
    6. silvia baby says

      April 01, 2015 at 4:32 pm

      sweet ayamase stew, jst remembered the last one I ate. Babe this is the best easther gift ever ooo am so going to share this stew with my guest Lol. Thanks babe.

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        April 02, 2015 at 11:12 am

        Happy to help babe and don't forget to leave a feedback if you do try it out.x

        Reply
    7. ChiO says

      March 30, 2015 at 3:38 am

      Chai!!! This is beyond tantalizing. Welldone.

      Reply
      • Ajoke says

        March 30, 2015 at 9:06 am

        Thank you plenty plenty.

        Reply

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    Hello, my name is Ajoke, and welcome to my food world,  I love to cook in my lively little kitchen. Join me in the adventure of cooking what we all call warm, hearty, and quick meals...

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    Hello, my name is Ajoke, and welcome to my food world,  I love to cook in my lively little kitchen. Join me in the adventure of cooking what we all call warm, hearty, and quick meals...

    More about me →

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