Sundays in Abuja come with a rhythm of their own. Church shoes kicked off at the door, wrappers tied lazily around the waist, and that heavenly aroma sneaking out from the kitchen, the scent of tomato stew thick enough to raise the dead. If you’ve never paused in the middle of a sentence to sniff air heavy with fried tomatoes, pepper, and onions, you haven’t lived in a Nigerian home on a Sunday afternoon.

Tomato stew is not just food, it's a weekly ritual, and here in Abuja, it feels like the city slows down to honour it. My story? Every Sunday, without fail, tomato stew takes centre stage at the table. It doesn’t matter what protein is swimming in it, beef, chicken, goat meat or even egg, as long as it’s red, rich, and soulful, it's Sunday rice's loyal companion.

Growing up, this stew wasn’t just a meal; it was family therapy. We could be mad at each other all week, but come Sunday? Tomato stew would gather us like prodigal children. I still remember how Mum would throw in three extra scoops just because someone was having a bad week. It healed things, not in a dramatic way, but in the quiet way a warm plate does.

Let me tell you about last Sunday.

I hadn’t planned to cook. Life had me in a chokehold, and jollof rice was calling. But then I remembered how my daughter twirled when she smelled stew last week, and just like that, I found myself slicing onions with tears in my eyes (partly from the onions, partly from nostalgia). As the oil sizzled and the tomatoes bubbled into a thick red sauce, I smiled.

It wasn’t just stew. It was me, honouring my roots.

Recipe (from an Abuja kitchen, with love):

Ingredients(for a smaller portion):

1. Fresh tomatoes (about 10)

2. Tatashe (red bell peppers) – 2

3. Scotch bonnet (atarodo) – 3 (adjust to your heat level)

4. Onions – 2 big ones

5. Garlic & ginger – optional, but I swear by them

6. Tomato paste – 1 sachet

7. Vegetable oil – 1 cup (yes, we don’t play)

8. Seasoning cubes, curry, thyme, and salt

9. Protein (beef/chicken/eggs — whatever you like)

Steps:

1. Blend tomatoes, pepper, and one onion.

2. Pour into a pot and boil until the water dries out.

3. In a separate pot, heat oil. Add sliced onions and fry until golden.

4. Add your tomato paste and stir for a few minutes.

5. Add the boiled tomato blend and fry till it thickens and the oil floats to the top.

6. Season to your heart’s content. Add in your pre-cooked protein and let it soak in all that love.

📍 Location: Abuja, Nigeria
🗺️ SteemAtlas Pin:

My phone couldn't capture the handwritten text boldly, so I typed it in.

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TYPE LESS, SMILE MORE
Because sometimes, happiness is red, oily, and served with rice.

I will like to invite @blessedlife @kwinberry @eliany to join this challenge.