News
List Of Natural Alternatives To Fresh Tomatoes
Many Nigerians are seeking alternatives as the price of fresh tomatoes keeps soaring.
This essential ingredient is crucial in the preparation of dishes such as stew and jollof rice as tomatoes play a pivotal role in Nigerian cuisine, particularly in stews.
However, the sudden price hike has led many households to reduce their consumption of fresh tomato-based dishes.
To adapt to this change, Nigerians are becoming resourceful, seeking alternatives to incorporate into their meals.
There are four creative alternatives to fresh tomatoes to enable individuals and families continue to enjoy flavorful and nutritious meals despite the rising cost of fresh tomatoes.
See list of the alternative below:
Carrots
In its blended form, carrots are a good alternative to fresh tomatoes. The vegetable do not only have a sweet taste but can also give off the bright red colour of fresh tomatoes when mixed with peppers.
Carrots can give the reddish colour of fresh tomatoes in jollof rice and stews.
To enjoy carrot stew, ensure to per boil the carrots, onions and peppers on medium-low heat for a few minutes before blending. This gives a smoother consistency as well as make the stew more enjoyable.
Carrots are sold for N200 and above. The amount you purchase depends on the quantity of stew you intend to make. At the end, they make a cheap alternative to fresh tomatoes.
Beets/Beetroots
Beets, when blended, provide a similar red hue to tomatoes, making them a suitable replacement for stews, jollof rice, and sauce.
Beyond color, beets offer a slightly sweet and earthy flavor that can complement savory dishes.
And compared to the current high price of tomatoes, beets are often a more affordable option.
While serving as a colorful substitute, beets come packed with health benefits. They are a good source of essential vitamins and minerals, including folate, potassium, and fiber.
Beets are widely available and sold in many markets across the country, making them an accessible and nutritious option for those looking to substitute the use of fresh tomatoes.
Eggplant
While eggplants might not provide the reddish colour typical of fresh tomatoes, they are an excellent alternative.
Eggplants are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, while being low in calories. Their thick consistency and sweet taste make them ideal for sauces.
The fruit is a large, egg-shaped berry with a glossy surface that can vary in color from dark purple to red, pink, yellowish, or white.
The spongy texture of eggplant allows it to absorb cooking liquids, resulting in a thick and satisfying sauce, similar to a tomato base.
Eggplants can be used to cook stews that pair well with rice, yam, potatoes, and plantain, among other dishes.
Their affordability and versatility make them a valuable addition to dishes, particularly during times of high tomato prices.
Cucumber
Cucumber is the latest alternative to tomatoes. While cucumber might not be the first ingredient that comes to mind, it offers a surprisingly refreshing alternative for stews due to rising tomato prices.
Cucumber has a milder flavour compared to tomatoes. So, consider adding spices for a more complex taste. Removing the seeds from the cucumber can help to reduce its watery content and prevent the stew from becoming too thin.
Cucumbers are rich in vitamins, minerals, and hydration, thanks to their high water content. They have a mild flavor that can blend well in various dishes, adding a refreshing taste and volume.
To make stew using cucumbers, you should blend cucumbers for a smoother consistency to add a subtle sweetness and coolness to the stew. Also, combine with tomato paste for a touch of tomato flavor.
Conclusively, adapting to these changes can help households continue enjoying their favorite dishes while managing their budgets effectively. Exploring alternatives to fresh tomatoes like cucumbers, carrot, beets or eggplant can provide valuable solutions during times of fluctuating tomatoes price.
The above alternatives are currently being used by some Nigerian households.
News
At last, Tinubu sacks five ministers, makes seven fresh nomination
By Francesca Hangeior.
At last, president Bola Tinubu has reshuffle his cabinet appointing seven new ministers.
This development is coming few months after growing calls for the President to rejig his cabinet.
In a statement issued by the presidency after the federal executive council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday, president Tinubu re-assigned 10 ministers to new ministerial portfolios and appointed seven new ministers for Senate confirmation.
The president on Wednesday, during the Federal Executive Council (FEC), announced the sack of Uju-Ken Ohanenye as Minister of Women Affairs; Lola Ade-John as Minister of Tourism; Tahir Mamman as Minister of Education; Abdullahi Gwarzo as Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development; and Jamila Ibrahim as Minister of Youth Development.
Tinubu subsequently nominated Bianca Odumegu-Ojukwu as the Minister of State Foreign Affairs, while Nentawe Yilwatda as the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, officially bringing an end to the tenure of suspended Betta Edu.
The President also nominated Maigari Dingyadi as the Minister of Labour and Employment, Jumoke Oduwole as the Minister of Industry, Idi Maiha as Minister for the newly created Livestock Development Ministry, Yusuf Ata as the Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development, with Suwaiba Ahmad as Minister of State Education.
Earlier on Wednesday, the President scrapped the Ministry of Nigeria Delta Development and announced the Ministry of Regional Development as a replacement to oversee the activities of all the regional development commissions.
The regional development commissions to be under the supervision of the new Ministry are the Niger Delta Development Commission, the South East Development Commission, the North East Development and the North West Development Commission.
Tinubu also scrapped the Ministry of Sports Development and transferred its functions to the National Sports Commission to “develop a vibrant sports economy”.
The President further approved the merger of the Federal Ministry of Tourism and the Federal Ministry of Arts and Culture to become the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy.
“The appointment of Shehu Dikko as Chairman of the National Sports
Commission.
“The appointment of Sunday Akin Dare as Special Adviser to the president on Public Communication and Orientation working from the ministry of Information and National Orientation,” the President said.
The President appreciated the outgoing members of the Federal Executive Council for their service to the nation while wishing them the best in their
future endeavours.
He then charged the newly appointed ministers as well as their reassigned colleagues to see their appointment as a call to serve the nation.
He added that all appointees must understand the administration’s eagerness and determination to set Nigeria on the path to irreversible growth and invest the best of their abilities into the actualisation of the government’s priorities.
It could be recalled that Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, appointed 48 ministers in August 2023, three months after his inauguration.
The Senate immediately screened and confirmed the ministers. One of the ministers, Betta Edu, was suspended in January while another, Simon Lalong, moved to the Senate.
There have been growing calls for the President to reshuffle his cabinet as many Nigerians are not impressed by the performance of some of the ministers, especially in the face of unprecedented inflation, excruciating economic situation and rising insecurity.
In September, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said the President would reshuffle his cabinet but didn’t give a time to the reorganisation.
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