Spicy Peanut Stew
“The basis of all African meals is a soupy stew served with a starch,” explains Jessica B. Harris, culinary historian and author of The Africa Cookbook: Tastes of a Continent. This West African version gets its distinctive taste from creamy peanut butter and chile-laced chopped tomatoes.
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“The basis of all African meals is a soupy stew served with a starch,” explains Jessica B. Harris, culinary historian and author of The Africa Cookbook: Tastes of a Continent. This West African version gets its distinctive taste from creamy peanut butter and chile-laced chopped tomatoes.
Ingredients
- 2 Tbs. olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced (about 1 cup)
- 1 celery stalk, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
- 1 Tbs. grated fresh ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 tsp.)
- 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks (about 2 cups)
- 1 14.5-oz. can diced tomatoes with chiles
- 1 lb. butternut or acorn squash, cut into 1-inch chunks (about 3 cups)
- 1/2 lb. cauliflower florets (about 4 cups)
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 6 cups cooked brown rice
- 1 head watercress, stems removed
Preparation
- Heat oil in large pot over medium-low heat. Add onion and celery, and cook 5 minutes, or until onion is translucent, stirring occasionally. Stir in ginger and garlic, and cook 5 minutes more, or until vegetables are soft.
- Add potato and tomatoes. Increase heat to medium, and cook 5 minutes, or until sauce is thickened, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in 2 cups water, and season with salt and pepper. Simmer partially covered, 10 minutes. Add squash and cauliflower, and cook 15 minutes more, or until vegetables are tender.
- Whisk together peanut butter and ½ cup warm water in small bowl. Add to stew, and cook 4 minutes, or until thickened, stirring constantly. Spoon over rice, and top with watercress.
Nutrition Information
- Serving Size Serves 6
- Calories 422
- Carbohydrate Content 71 g
- Cholesterol Content 0 mg
- Fat Content 12 g
- Fiber Content 9 g
- Protein Content 11 g
- Saturated Fat Content 2 g
- Sodium Content 770 mg
- Sugar Content 7 g
- Trans Fat Content 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat Content 0 g