Spice up your kitchen with a burst of African flavor! At ER African Market, your go-to African grocery store, we're excited to share the mouthwatering Obe Ata recipe with you. Originating from the rich African culture, this hearty stew will transport your taste buds on a culinary adventure. Get ready to savor the bold flavors and aromatic spices as we guide you through this delightful recipe!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 pound beef tenderloin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- Kosher salt
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 4 cloves garlic
- 3 red bell peppers, roughly chopped
- 2 plum tomatoes, roughly chopped
- 1 habanero pepper, stemmed, optional
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon madras curry powder
- 1 teaspoon chicken or beef bouillon powder
- Rice and sweet plantains, for serving
Let’s Get Cooking
First, cut the beef into 1-inch cubes and give it a quick rinse with water. Transfer the beef to a bowl, and now comes the exciting part – seasoning! Sprinkle in garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cumin, and cayenne if you like a bit of heat. Don't forget 1 teaspoon of thyme and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Massage these delightful flavors into the beef, letting them work their magic. Let the beef marinate for a tantalizing 10 minutes.
Next, let's get cooking! Heat up some oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Time to sear the beef to a gorgeous dark brown color. Flip them over after about 3 minutes on each side, and when they are perfectly seared, transfer them to a clean bowl. Oh, don't forget to reserve the Dutch oven and the delicious beef oil!
Now, let's blend some incredible ingredients to make a mouthwatering puree. Toss garlic, red bell peppers, tomatoes, and habanero, if you're feeling adventurous, into a food processor. Blend them together until they form a flavorful and vibrant puree. Back to the Dutch oven, where we'll heat 3 tablespoons of that reserved beef oil. Add the remaining chopped onion and let it cook for about a minute. Then, stir in the tomato and bell pepper puree, letting the flavors meld together. Let it simmer, cover it up, and wait for those veggies to break down and become saucy, which will take around 5 minutes.
Now comes the star of the show! Add the seared beef back into the Dutch oven, and it's time to enhance the flavors even more. Sprinkle in curry powder, bouillon powder, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and the remaining 1 teaspoon of thyme. Give it all a good stir, and watch as the stew transforms into a rich reddish-orange beauty. Let it simmer, uncovered, until the liquid reduces, the stew thickens slightly, and a luscious layer of oil appears on the surface, which should take about 15 minutes. Give it a taste and add a pinch of salt if needed to perfect the flavors.
Voilà! Your mouthwatering Obe Ata stew is ready to shine. Serve it up with some fluffy rice and sweet plantains, and get ready to indulge in the flavorful wonders of Africa!