Christmas Rice and Chicken Stew
Christmas comes but once a year, and when it comes, it brings good treats: a pot full of rice, a pocket full of money, and a bag full of sweets! In my childhood days in Limbe (my hometown) as Christmas approached, my younger sister delighted in reciting this festive rhyme she had learned at the Social Insurance Nursing School.
This poetic verse perfectly encapsulates the spirit of Christmas in Africa, where households traditionally prepare a bigggg pot of rice accompanied by a sumptuous tomato chicken stew. It's a time when Africans humorously would say that Christmas is the only occasion in the year when they get to enjoy chicken. In Cameroon, we playfully refer to it as the day when children not only get to savor chicken but also the "kondi" of the chicken—specifically, the cherished chicken thighs. "Kondi" is not just an anatomical part of a chicken. It symbolizes abundance and joy during the Christmas season.
As Christmas approached, the women in our community gathered, their laughter echoing through the air as they prepared the ingredients to cook the rice and chicken stew. Premium-quality rice, ripe tomatoes, onions, chicken, and an array of spices promised to concoct a delectable tomato chicken stew. The first bite was a revelation—a symphony of flavors that danced on our taste buds, a perfect fusion of spices and cherished memories.
Each succulent mouthful of chicken carried the essence of celebration, fostering an appreciation for the familial and communal bonds that the season unfailingly brought forth. Christmas rice and chicken tomato stew wasn't just a meal; it was a tradition passed down through generations, intertwining love, togetherness, and the unique joy that only the "kondi" could evoke.
Though years have elapsed, the warmth of Christmas and the rich flavors of this beloved dish remain indelibly etched in my heart—a timeless reminder of the enchantment that unfolded in our humble kitchen during the Christmas season.
Cook along with me by clicking play below or scroll down to follow the recipe instructions.
Dish: Rice and Chicken Stew
Country: Cameroon and Other West African Countries
R I C E A N D S T E W
Ingredients
4 Cups of White Rice
2 Whole Chicken chopped and cooked in Keng's Kitchen Green Spice Marinade
2 Cups of Cooking Oil
10 Cups of Tomato Puree
Salt and Bouillon as Desired
How to Prepare the Rice
1. Wash the rice with warm water several times until the water becomes clear. Clear water indicates that excess starch has been removed from the rice.
2, Pour the rice into the rice cooker and add water to the proportion of the measurements in the rice cooker.
3. Turn on the rice cooker and select the white rice cooking option. Allow the rice to cook until it's done.
How To Prepare the Chicken Stew
4. Pour the tomato puree into a pot and cook on low heat. Occasionally stir and taste the puree while it’s cooking and once you no longer taste the sourness in the sauce, then at this point, the tomato puree is done.
5. Add the cooked chicken into the pot including the Chicken stock. Mix very well and adjust the taste of the salt and bouillon as desired.
6. Cover the pot and allow it to simmer for 20 minutes then add the cooking oil. Stir the cooking oil into the tomato sauce so it mixes very well.
7. Cover the pot and cook the stew on low heat for 10 minutes then turn off the stove.
Serving the Christmas Rice and Chicken Stew
8. Dish out the rice from the rice cooker into a bowl or on a plate and then spread the tomato chicken stew on the rice. Place the chicken thighs on top of the rice and enjoy with your favorite drink. Spread the Joy of Christmas by recreating this dish for your family during the holiday season.
