Vegetable Sauce

Vegetable sauce (stew) combines fluted pumpkin leaves, tomatoes, spices and other simple ingredients to make a delicious sauce for rice.

In this article, I will show you exactly how I prepared the delicious-looking plate of rice and vegetable stew below and why I think this sauce beats the conventional tomato stew to a pulp.

You will also find this recipe on page 12 of the ultimate Nigerian cookbook.

For me, it has not always been just about foods; it has been a lot more. Last year I started talking about healthy Nigerian foods, how to eliminate junks from foods, heck! I even wrote an article about foods that fight heart diseases.

I doing all this I was only hoping for ways to incorporate healthy foods into our daily diet and of course, eliminate junk. We live in a continent where so much junk is daily served as foods.

I have always maintained there is a direct correlation between the foods we eat and our total wellbeing.

Vegetable Sauce

Making this vegetable sauce was amazingly easy, you can do it is less than 45 minutes, the good thing is that it goes with rice, beans or even boiled yam.

First, I am going to show you how to make a vegetable sauce for rice and then we are going to learn why this is more delicious, easier to prepare and a lot healthier than the alternatives.

Ingredients For Vegetable Sauce

Serving: 6
Preparation Time: 60 minutes

4 cups of sliced fresh tomatoes.
Sliced fresh pepper (To taste).
1 cup of sliced onions.
3 seasoning cubes
1KG of assorted meat.
Half teaspoon of beef seasoning spice
One big bowl of sliced fluted pumpkin.
3 spoons of ground crayfish.
200ml vegetable oil.
Salt to taste.

Assorted meat is a combination of different parts of cow meats (liver, kidney, intestine, tripe, etc.)

There are different brands of beef seasoning spice, you can pick any of them. With time, you will get better with your choices.

Preparation

Step 1

Start by washing and slicing the tomatoes, I recommend you use really fresh tomatoes; also slice the pepper, onions and set them aside in a plate.

Wash the fluted pumpkin and slice to a bit, the seller usually does this if you patronize Nigerian local markets, it is best to wash the leaves before you slice them.

Step 2

Parboil the meat with two seasoning cubes, beef seasoning spice (kitchen glory or any other), half cup of sliced onions, allow to simmer for 5 minutes, add a cup of water and cook for more 30 minutes. Add half teaspoon of salt and cook till the meat softens (this should take extra 10 minutes).

You should have a table looking like below.

Vegetable sauce ingredients

Step 3

Set your cooking pot on heat, add 250ml of vegetable oil, allow to heat before adding the sliced tomato/pepper/onions. Allow to fry and dry for the next 10-15 minutes, remember to stir occasionally to avoid burning. See image below.

Vegetable sauce rice

Step 4

Add the cooked meat, remaining cube of maggi, salt to taste, crayfish and stir, allow to simmer on low heat for 3 minutes.

Stew

Taste for salt, you may add another seasoning cube

Step 5

Add the leaves (vegetables), stir properly and taste for salt. Allow simmering on low heat for 3-4 minutes and you just made a delicious pot of vegetable sauce for rice.

adding leaves

Nigeria vegie stew

I combined vegetable sauce with white boiled rice and served as lunch or dinner. You can also pair with either beans or yam.

In my case, I served with white boiled rice and added some fried plantain cubes.

Vegetable Sauce

Now My Comparative Analyses

vegie-tomato-sauce

Which do you really think is better, if you ask me, I would go for the vegetable sauce; not just because
it is easy to prepare; I find it very delicious and healthier than the alternative. They have also proven olive oil to be healthier than groundnut/vegetable oil.

At some point, you will start knowing the difference between these choices and how one differs from another. For me, it is not just about foods, they must be healthy too.

If you like, you can even omit the oil completely, just boil the meats, once it is soft, add the sliced tomatoes, pepper, onions to it, allow to cook together for 10-15 minutes, add the crayfish, etc. As long as you are using fresh tomatoes, it would taste very nice.

Here is How to Make Tomato Stew
How To Make Jollof Rice
Tomato Sauce For Yam

Vegetable Sauce

Vegetable Sauce Recipe

Chef Chidi
This vegetable sauce is surprisingly easy to make, the recipe is easy and straight forward. For its health benefits, it now has a permanent place on my food menu.
5 from 4 votes
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Lunch
Cuisine Nigerian Cuisine
Servings 4 People
Calories 557 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups of sliced fresh tomatoes.
  • Sliced fresh pepper To taste.
  • 1 cup of sliced onions.
  • 3 seasoning cubes
  • 1 KG of assorted meat.
  • Half teaspoon of beef seasoning spice
  • One big bowl of sliced fluted pumpkin.
  • 3 spoons of ground crayfish.
  • 200 ml vegetable oil
  • Salt to taste.

Instructions
 

  • Wash and slice the fresh tomatoes, peppers, and onions.
  • Slice the vegetables (fluted pumpkin) to tiny bits. Wash before you slice.
  • Season the assorted meat with two seasoning cubes, half teaspoon of beef seasoning spice, a teaspoon of salt and cook for 30 minutes.
  • Heat your frying pan, add 200ml of vegetable oil, once heated add the sliced onions, then the tomatoes and peppers. Let them fry for 10-15 minutes, stir in-between.
  • Add the cooked meat, the remaining seasoning cube, salt to taste, ground crayfish and stir, let it simmer for 4 minutes.
  • Add vegetables, stir, taste for salt.
  • Let it simmer on low heat for 3-4 minutes.
  • Serve this vegetable sauce (stew) with rice, beans or yam. I decided to throw in some fried ripe plantain.
Keyword Vegetable sauce recipe, Vegetable stew

134 Comments

Chialuka
Reply

Thank you for this recipe i will try it tomorrow

June 12, 2024
Doris
Reply

5 stars
Hello Chidi, I stumbled on your page this evening and decided to give it a try. Though I added some iru to give it a twist of a local taste and it turned out wow!!!
I will be visiting some more for recipes. Thank you for all you do to encourage people to cook their own meals. Kudos madam.

February 13, 2023
Kendra
Reply

Trying this tomorrow hope I can cos I am diabetic

April 9, 2022
Dakoru Braide R.
Reply

Wowoooo is very nice and loving. I even have the Ultimate Nigeria cookbook FIFTH EDITION

January 24, 2021
Martins glory
Reply

5 stars
Hmmm.yummy am gonna try it

August 2, 2020
Ngelici
Reply

5 stars
Can i use like green leave instead of ugu leaves? I have lots of green leaves in my garden. I made porridge yam with them and it was perfect. I could try them on this sauce. You have great skill here.

July 10, 2020
Chisom
Reply

Yes, you can. Green leaves give it a distinct taste.

November 6, 2023
Sophlex
Reply

Wooow thanks for the recipe my dear…I’m South African and addicted to your traditional food.. sometimes go to Nigerians restaurant to buy food..now I can tried it at home.. Thanks. Thanks

May 28, 2020
Chidi Anegbu
Reply

You’re welcome dearie.

May 30, 2020
Sylvia
Reply

Am definitely going to try this, I can’t thank you enough Chef Chidi, ure amazing. I bless God I came across your page one of my 2019 year achievement ??

October 22, 2019
Sharon
Reply

Hmmmmmmmm, am loving this recipe o, but I don’t eat meat, can I use smoked fish to prepare this vegetable sauce for rice?

August 23, 2019
Chidi Anegbu
Reply

Sure, you can.

August 25, 2019
Christopher
Reply

Wow, will really live to try it
Thanks

June 26, 2019
Anurika
Reply

Thanks for this. It looks yummy. But can any kind is meat serve or must it be assorted meat?

June 13, 2019
Chidi Anegbu
Reply

Any kind of meat, yeah.

June 14, 2019
Janet E. U
Reply

Thanks for the Recipe. I will make it for myself and my hubby

May 23, 2019
Emi
Reply

Nice recipe, great teacher. I will definitely try this.

May 17, 2019
Sandra
Reply

The food was bae! My family and I enjoyed it thoroughly…Thank you very much!

February 22, 2019
Abdulwahab halima
Reply

thanks alot I really love this page

February 22, 2019
Adorable
Reply

Super Duper Site this is!!!!! Thumbs up chy.
Oh yea, I have been a fan of veggie sauce. The first day I tried it at home until now, my family won’t allow me be. Its healthy, easy to make and delicious.
If you add palm oil, it could be served with swallow.
Keep up this great work ma’am

February 22, 2019
Victoria
Reply

Thanks for your wonderful method of preparing vegetable with olive oil .

February 21, 2019
Amaka
Reply

I love it so much. I’m making it this weekend

February 21, 2019
Chi. Thompson
Reply

Am giving this a try today, my husband loves vegetables so much

February 21, 2019
Obute Juliet Chinenye
Reply

Thanks Aunty Chidi, I really love this recipe

November 16, 2018
Akwaugo
Reply

Very good I will try it

October 6, 2018
Rose
Reply

I got this recipe yesterday and tried it this morning. Sincerely, you are the best when it comes to food. Your recipes are the best as far as I am concerned. God bless you Chidi for putting smiles on so many faces.

September 27, 2018
Daniels dinma
Reply

my mum in law is amazed at my cooking, thank you somuch, you are making me proud,new cooking styles all the way.

September 16, 2018
winifred Brown
Reply

thanks for this receipe, it came in handy.

September 7, 2018
Esther
Reply

Wow.thanks for the wonderful recipe.is a healthy food indeed.vegetable sauce is always the best anytime anywhere.

July 25, 2018
nafisa
Reply

I really love your blog, how do I make miyan kuka

June 22, 2018
Courage
Reply

Amazing but adding the crayfish last makes it so so delicious

June 16, 2018
Hyginus Nwagwu
Reply

The vegetable sauce is really delicious and far better than the traditional red stew. Thanks for proffering healthier alternatives.

March 23, 2018
Kay
Reply

Nice and healthy recipe! Thumbs up!

March 21, 2018
luchy
Reply

Wow really nutritious.

March 17, 2018
luchy
Reply

How that’s nutritious

March 17, 2018
Ebere
Reply

Delicious and healthy vegetable sauce for rice, thank you for showing me how to make this.

January 26, 2018
Meg
Reply

I used a bit of butter and coconut oil. In the absence of assorted meat, I used smoked fish, then served with boiled yam. Mehnn it was the bomb!

January 14, 2018
Patience
Reply

Wow, I like this. I ‘ll try it today.

November 30, 2017
dinah
Reply

Thanks. Vegetable sauce has always been my favourite. I enjoy it more with couscous.

November 28, 2017
Duncan D
Reply

After using the recipe to prepare the vegetable sauce, the credit was taken from the chef… My Mon came downstairs twice for the first time to merry with us.

November 12, 2017
Jules
Reply

Nice dear, well prepared

Thanks for sharing

October 27, 2017
Bisi
Reply

Hi Chidi
I am a yoruba lady and this recipe is similar to EFO RIRO, a vegetable dish we are known for. The differences are that palm oil is used in place of olive oil and greens (Shoko/tehteh) in place of Ugu leaves.
Other contributors above too have pointed this out.
Thanks a lot for sharing.

August 9, 2017
williams joy
Reply

wow its really nice, i will try for breakfast tomorrow morning

August 9, 2017
Lizzie
Reply

I prepared it for dinner its so delicious….

June 29, 2017
ife
Reply

dis is so nice and lovely! am just gonna try dis tomorrow! thanks so much

June 15, 2017
Eguolo Agbroko
Reply

Thanks for the recipe,i will try it as soon as possible

June 3, 2017
Caroline
Reply

This is interesting and lovely

June 1, 2017
osuchukwu kingsley chibunna
Reply

Hello!! Chidi your recipes are superb and helpful. I will really try the vegetable sauce really soon. Can’t wait.

May 28, 2017
Chukwuemeka
Reply

Thanks so much.

I cant’t wait to try this out.

May 22, 2017
victoria
Reply

hi, nice recipe but i also want to add that you could use more than just pumpkin leaves, my mum uses pumpkin leaves(ugu), green(alefo) and csent leave together for her vegetable stew together with the other ingredients u mentioned and also, she uses palm oil in place of any other oil and it usually tastes great.

April 21, 2017
Chidi Anegbu
Reply

Ok, thanks for your contribution.

April 24, 2017
EGBEDI MABEL EJOVI
Reply

YUMMY YUMMY

March 31, 2017
Eric
Reply

am very grateful ma,for this few deys I have learnt a lot..It was really nice.
I dnt knw if you have a school because I will still like to improve more in the kitchen.

March 23, 2017
Sonia
Reply

Wow,nice one

March 22, 2017
akua
Reply

I love the recipe will definitely give it a try . awesome

February 22, 2017
love albert
Reply

thank you for your wonderful recipe God almighty we bless you

January 4, 2017
Angel
Reply

Just discovered this site and I love it.pls how can I get your Previous recipes….u re really doing a great job

December 31, 2016
Glorisky
Reply

Woow just finished making mine it sooo wonderful, please friends try it and see thanks to you chy, but how can I cook the one for swallow MA?

December 13, 2016
Niffy
Reply

Omg was thinking of making carribean rice this afternoon buh here is it again another vegetable sauce to make u want to eat..dnt knw wt to choose..thanks alot my ewa agoni was delicious and uha soup over the weekend buh the oha got stick i used ofo and achi

October 10, 2016
Mopelola
Reply

Thanks a lot. I want to buy the Nigerian Cook book. How can I get it?
Mopelola

October 4, 2016
Akinwale olabimpe
Reply

Hello chy, pls I want to ask for your measuring cup. When you listed the ingredients you were memtiomimg cups of pepper, tomatoes and onions. Please can you show us what you mean by the cup. Thanks

October 1, 2016
Chidi Anegbu
Reply

Cups are standard measuring tools in every kitchen. A cup is usually filled by 250ml of liquid. And when pepper, tomatoes and onions are sliced, they can be measured in cups. thanks for your question.

October 3, 2016
rachel
Reply

i have learnt alot from u but i have a problem i dont know how to prepare sauce for white rice pls can u help me with d preparation and ingredient. thanks

September 19, 2016
mercy
Reply

Good job,will surely try it this weekend

September 13, 2016
Rita
Reply

Thanks a Lot ma. pls can i use coconut oil 2 cook. I heard s a very healthy oil. Thanks

September 13, 2016
Effiong
Reply

Wow! God bless you for being a blessing to many kitchens. I love this vegetable source. I must surly try this out

September 13, 2016
Dee
Reply

Tnx Chidi, this is really wow! I MUST try dis… Tnx

September 13, 2016
Chioma
Reply

Thanks chi, just prepared mine. it was a waoooh! God bless you.

August 25, 2016
Dammy
Reply

As new as I am here I have learnt a lot Chi. More wisdom IJN

June 27, 2016
omole delphine
Reply

Pls ma’am where can we get cooking olive oil.

June 27, 2016
Chidi Anegbu
Reply

Cooking olive oil is the same as every other olive oil. just buy the bigger bottle and make sure it is the original olive oil. Alternatively, just use the usual vegetable oil or groundnut oil.

June 28, 2016
Viv
Reply

The picture of the food alone is so fantastic. Tnx for the lecture. Will surely make it this weekend.

June 24, 2016
Edith Nwoko
Reply

Nice one dear, so delicious

June 16, 2016
monica
Reply

Yummy,i prepared it today and my son like it so much. Tanx aunty chy for your delicious recipes

June 15, 2016
shodipe
Reply

can I use palm oil instead of Olive oil?

May 15, 2016
mum Excel.
Reply

Waooooooo, Chidi love u’r d bomb. This is rlly nice and yummy, I love cooking dis and wen Eva I make dis my husband eats more than he can take. Lollllll. Thanks anyways.

April 21, 2016
owhe Christopher
Reply

Please what kind of olive oil do I use or is it the normal olive oil people normal take to church. Please I want to know

April 16, 2016
Chidi Anegbu
Reply

Yes, the normal olive oil people take to church. It is the prefered cooking oil in most developed countries and it is better than vegetable oil.

April 18, 2016
Mina
Reply

You are just too gifted darling Chidi u are my inspiration. My cooking has greatly improved. My family is happy. Thank you!

April 15, 2016
liz
Reply

Oh!!!mouth watering

April 10, 2016
Bissy
Reply

You are 1 in a million Chidi. I prepared the vegetable stew and guess what! My family enjoyed it. Thank you very much and I love this blog of yours.

April 8, 2016
Esther
Reply

So inviting! Will try it out, am sure my hubby who likes vegetables will fall in love with it, thanks so much #hugs#

April 6, 2016
Adiele Oly
Reply

Been hearing vegee sauce bt don’t know hw, tnks so much for d reciepes

April 6, 2016
Temitayo
Reply

My hubby has bn asking me to prepare this vegetable sause but I didn’t know how to prepare it but now I know. Thank you so much I love you Chidi.

March 25, 2016
Delight Vivian
Reply

Very nice food you gat here. Just found out about this site and I must confess, am kinda addicted to it. Thanks dear Chidi.

March 23, 2016
john
Reply

Wow…I was confess on what to eat but not until i saw this Vegetable sauce two hours ago AND I’ve just prepared it now….I’m speechless because is soooo yummious

March 19, 2016
Joy oladimeji
Reply

Chidi u are such a wonderful lady, u are a gift to our generation. I pray that God will bless u and ur family ijn.

March 7, 2016
Funmi
Reply

This is a nice one, thanks

March 7, 2016
Funmie
Reply

Interesting!!! Will definitely try it

February 25, 2016
gold
Reply

You are just wonderful

February 24, 2016
Pearl
Reply

I have try it so delicious

February 21, 2016
Bukky
Reply

This is lovelllllllyyyy

February 20, 2016
ikemangel
Reply

Wow its so yummy so inviting I will try it this weekend

February 19, 2016
blessing
Reply

You are doing a great job. Weldon.

February 19, 2016
Fisayomi Olosunde
Reply

Nice one,I really love it.Keep up the good work

February 19, 2016
TEMMY
Reply

Wow!!! Dis is nutritious, u re really doing great job..kudos 2 u CHY

February 19, 2016
blessing
Reply

So yummy. Vegetable sauce is much more nutritious than tomato stewam I can’t wait to try this. Keep up the good work.

February 19, 2016
princess
Reply

Chi nwa di okey, dis vegetable sauce is yomicous , thank u very much

February 19, 2016
Odoh Chinelo
Reply

Hello Chidi,you are such a wonderful and gifted lady.Your receipes are superb.I love cooking! More grease to your elbow

February 18, 2016
peace
Reply

Wow!!!!!! It was reali nice I cooked it and my hubby enjoyed it. I used palm oil and I added iru. Chidi thanks.

November 29, 2015
Lily
Reply

I haven’t use pumpkin leave before, but green leave. I will try it with pumpkin leave this week.Thanks alot

November 25, 2015
Amy Akindiya
Reply

I love the recipes but i dont understand some of the ingredients. I am married to a Nigerian man and i would love to cook some of these for him as a surprise but i dont understand all the ingredients. I would love to have your cookbook, but i dont have the money. My husband is in charge of the money so i cant ask him and surprise him at the same time. We have been married for a year now and i have not yet been able to make my husband a proper Nigerian meal and feel horrible. Thank you for your page it is a little helpful.

November 25, 2015
Chidi Anegbu
Reply

I have worked on the ingredients a little so you can understand them now.

November 25, 2015
fafcy
Reply

chy , chai! you are one in a million.A dream come through. God bless you and surprise your surprises in a ‘biggest way’. God bless you.

November 24, 2015
debby
Reply

It looks good,I will try today,pls can I eat it with amala too.

November 24, 2015
Jummy
Reply

Chidi, honestly you’re shading Nigerian women from cooking embarrassments. Pls keep it up, God will continue to help you. Can you pls share how to cook coconut rice? It’s a delicacy I love to learn.

November 24, 2015
Bliss
Reply

I have really learnt alot from u, tanks so much and God bless.

September 17, 2016
Franklin
Reply

So interesting…will try it this afternoon to surprise my wife
Thanks Chi

November 22, 2015
Merrit
Reply

Wow!!!! Dis looks appetizing. Will try it tomorrow. Hope it can be stored in d refrigerator?

November 13, 2015
chinyere
Reply

OMG! It’s so delicious, I tried it and it was wonderful,my hubby couldn’t stop eating
Thank you so much for all these recipes you teach here. May God continue to bless you for to teach more

November 9, 2015
Bolaji
Reply

Hmmm! It is a nice one. May God continue to give you the wisdom to make more, remain bless.

June 13, 2017
OSUNWA ELIZABETH
Reply

Wow!! this is good and im loving it right here in dis page..once again..GOD bless u real good.

October 30, 2015
Kenny
Reply

Chidi you’re really doing a great job here! Isn’t there any need to add water to the vegetables sauce? Please advice. Daalu!

October 28, 2015
Chidi Anegbu
Reply

You can add water if you like but most times, the leaves secretes enough water by itself.

November 1, 2015
Abigail Igwe
Reply

Nice one, i will try it today but please what kind of olive oil is used for cooking?

October 19, 2015
Jenny
Reply

This is lovely

October 17, 2015
Rose
Reply

Wow wow,am getting more knowledge am hapi tnk u Chi

October 16, 2015
saude Ayitogo
Reply

it looks deliciuos, ll defenately try it.

ll try it. looksappetizing.

October 16, 2015
Adetutu
Reply

Well am cooking vegetable tonight and am doing it your exact way. Don’t I just love this site

October 16, 2015
claire
Reply

It sure looks good.I’m making plans to prepare it this week end

October 16, 2015
JAY
Reply

Nice one will definitely try it at home.

October 14, 2015
Olubanjo Bosede
Reply

This is fantastic!I will try it soon.

September 29, 2015
Alex-hart
Reply

Pls how do I make Zobo. I love ur blog, u r doing a great job.

September 28, 2015
Julie
Reply

Yummy… I love ur blog… Thanks

September 27, 2015
Omi
Reply

Wow! I really love this recipe. It looks so fresh and am gonna give it a try pretty soon. Thanks Chidi!

September 27, 2015
Nicki
Reply

wow…just tried it and it’s so yummy and delicious

September 26, 2015
Ngozi
Reply

so nice I just prepared it for dinner.

September 25, 2015
Ebere
Reply

I will try it 2morrow

September 24, 2015
Blessing
Reply

Wao this is the kind of food i like kudos

June 25, 2019
Magdalene
Reply

I will ❤️ to be a part of this your wonderful group.

April 29, 2021
Celestine Vivian Chinwe
Reply

I love this vegetable sauce ooooooo i can wait to prepare my!!!!!!

September 24, 2015
Doris
Reply

Honestly, I love this recipe and will definitely try it this weekend. Chidi! Nice job you’re doing, more power to your elbow

September 23, 2015
Helen
Reply

Thanks for all your wonderful recipes this sauce is so yummy! I am going to try it as soon as I return to Nigeria. Currently I am on a business trip, thanks.

September 23, 2015
funmi
Reply

So yummy ,nice one

September 23, 2015

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