HELP! MY STEW ALWAYS TASTES BITTER!!!

muhana · 06-07-2008, 04:14 AM

So I'm learning to cook stew the naija way (I'm Kenyan but my fiance is Naija

) and I seem to have run into a problem. Whenever I cook stew it always has a bitter, somewhat tart taste to it. A friend told me that maybe it's cuz I'm not cooking the tomato long enough. But even after cooking it for long it still hasn't lost its bitter taste. I usually blend tomatos, onions and red bell pepper, then cook the mixture before frying it, just like I was taught by a good friend. But it doesn't taste anything like hers. Could someone please tell me what I'm doing wrong?

**manilah** · 06-07-2008, 06:21 AM

what is your tomato:bell pepper

nion ratio?

How long to you boil the blended mixture for?

Icegold · 06-07-2008, 08:18 AM

You're friend is right, you're not frying the tomato long enough. Try using ur nose as a guide, raw tomatoes have a certain smell, make sure that at smell has gone away. that usually helps me when i'm no sure whether or not d tomato is cooked.

Do you add meat stock to ur stew? I find that when i mis judge the tomatoes, I have to cook the stew for longer after adding the meat stock

muhana · 06-07-2008, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manilah

what is your tomato:bell pepper

nion ratio?

How long to you boil the blended mixture for?

I usually use canned diced tomatos - one big can:half an onion:1 large bell pepper. Then I boil it until the water dries - about 10 - 20 minutes.

muhana · 06-07-2008, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Icegold

You're friend is right, you're not frying the tomato long enough. Try using ur nose as a guide, raw tomatoes have a certain smell, make sure that at smell has gone away. that usually helps me when i'm no sure whether or not d tomato is cooked.

Do you add meat stock to ur stew? I find that when i mis judge the tomatoes, I have to cook the stew for longer after adding the meat stock

I guess she left that one tiny little nose detail out

But now that you mention it i realize that i haven't been cooking it till the smell disappears. Ya, I use meatstock sometimes.
So approximately how long do you fry your tomato? And how many tomatos do you use

**manilah** · 06-07-2008, 08:43 AM

lol..sorry about the

nion... I meant onion

Maybe the canned tomato is an issue too. Never cooked with them 'cos I'm a big fan of fresh vegetables... I usually buy my tomatoes and other ingredients the day I cook.

Also, when you boil the blended mixture, wait till it thickens...that is also a sign. Try not to be in a hurry- I leave my on the stove for a while and when it's done you definitely don't taste the bitterness as icegold said

Let us know how the next try go!

omadandala · 06-07-2008, 04:27 PM

I think its the canned tomatoes and/or tomatoe paste as well.They usually have preservatives in them that have that bitter test. Like Manilla said, I would only use fresh tomatoes and peppers. If you have to use tomatoe aste, use just a little.

Icegold · 06-07-2008, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omadandala

I think its the canned tomatoes and/or tomatoe paste as well.They usually have preservatives in them that have that bitter test. Like Manilla said, I would only use fresh tomatoes and peppers. If you have to use tomatoe aste, use just a little.

it's not the canned diced, 'cos that's what I use.

Tomato paste can be bitter, but only if you don't cook it long enough..the paste has to be in addition to regular tomatoes. You have to watch them closer 'cos they tend to get burnt quickly..

Icegold · 06-07-2008, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muhana

I guess she left that one tiny little nose detail out

But now that you mention it i realize that i haven't been cooking it till the smell disappears. Ya, I use meatstock sometimes.
So approximately how long do you fry your tomato? And how many tomatos do you use

When I make my stew from large canned diced, It usually takes btw 25 - 30 mins on medium heat and regular stirring. it really depends on the size of the stew your making.

Bende · 06-08-2008, 12:20 AM

fresh tomatoes are best sha

Lanju · 06-08-2008, 02:36 AM

you cant cook?

Premium Ninja · 06-08-2008, 03:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lanju

you cant cook?

lol.............

p.ninja

Icegold · 06-08-2008, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bende

fresh tomatoes are best sha

Ofcourse, but not always convenient

muhana · 06-08-2008, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lanju

you cant cook?

muhana · 06-08-2008, 07:52 AM

thanks guys. will let you know how it goes.

06-07-2008, 04:14 AM	#1 (permalink)
muhana Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: planet earth, perhaps? Posts: 482 Points: 46,642.00 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 46,642.00 Donate Rep Power: 315813	HELP! MY STEW ALWAYS TASTES BITTER!!! So I'm learning to cook stew the naija way (I'm Kenyan but my fiance is Naija ) and I seem to have run into a problem. Whenever I cook stew it always has a bitter, somewhat tart taste to it. A friend told me that maybe it's cuz I'm not cooking the tomato long enough. But even after cooking it for long it still hasn't lost its bitter taste. I usually blend tomatos, onions and red bell pepper, then cook the mixture before frying it, just like I was taught by a good friend. But it doesn't taste anything like hers. Could someone please tell me what I'm doing wrong? __________________ PRODUCT OF KENYA.

06-07-2008, 04:27 PM	#7 (permalink)
omadandala Onobule asha Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: countin paper:o Posts: 4,626 Points: 1,200.00 Bank: 251,266,757.58 Total Points: 251,267,957.58 Donate Rep Power: 2023289	I think its the canned tomatoes and/or tomatoe paste as well.They usually have preservatives in them that have that bitter test. Like Manilla said, I would only use fresh tomatoes and peppers. If you have to use tomatoe aste, use just a little. __________________ du bled 4 lyfe!!!

06-08-2008, 02:36 AM	#11 (permalink)
Lanju "RAZZOID OF NR" Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Baffing outside with Okpabio Posts: 28,881 Points: 1,082,038,585.15 Bank: 426.71 Total Points: 1,082,039,011.86 Donate Rep Power: 21474916	you cant cook? __________________ if you are going to put weave in your hair, please use human hair cos the synthetic fake plastic shit tastes wierd after hugging you

06-08-2008, 07:52 AM	#15 (permalink)
muhana Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: planet earth, perhaps? Posts: 482 Points: 46,642.00 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 46,642.00 Donate Rep Power: 315813	thanks guys. will let you know how it goes. __________________ PRODUCT OF KENYA.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

06-07-2008, 08:18 AM	#3 (permalink)
Icegold Icy Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: City of Blinding lights Posts: 25,109 Points: 157,563.06 Bank: 60,331,884,396.17 Total Points: 60,332,041,959.23 Donate Rep Power: 21474898	You're friend is right, you're not frying the tomato long enough. Try using ur nose as a guide, raw tomatoes have a certain smell, make sure that at smell has gone away. that usually helps me when i'm no sure whether or not d tomato is cooked. Do you add meat stock to ur stew? I find that when i mis judge the tomatoes, I have to cook the stew for longer after adding the meat stock

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)