West African peanut stew, also known as maafe or groundnut stew, is a flavorful and hearty dish that combines the richness of peanuts with the sweetness of sweet potatoes and the earthy goodness of spinach. Originating from countries like Senegal, Mali, and Ghana, this stew is a staple in West African cuisine and has gained popularity worldwide for its unique blend of flavors and textures. Whether you're a seasoned cook looking to explore new culinary horizons or a beginner seeking a delicious and nutritious meal, this article will guide you through the process of creating an authentic West African peanut stew with sweet potato and spinach.
Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!
AFRICAN PEANUT SWEET POTATO STEW
Back when I was in college, my mom made an addicting sweet potato and peanut stew. I shared it with friends, and now all of us serve it to our own kids. They all love it, of course. -Alexis Scatchell, Niles, Illinois
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 6h20m
Yield 8 servings (2-1/2 quarts).
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Place the first 8 ingredients in a food processor; process until pureed. Transfer to a 5-qt. slow cooker; stir in sweet potatoes, beans and water., Cook, covered, on low 6-8 hours or until potatoes are tender, adding kale during the last 30 minutes. If desired, top each serving with chopped peanuts and additional cilantro.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 349 calories, Fat 9g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 624mg sodium, Carbohydrate 60g carbohydrate (23g sugars, Fiber 11g fiber), Protein 10g protein.
WEST AFRICAN PEANUT STEW (VEGAN)
Thick, hearty and delicious this vegan West African Peanut Stew is made in one pot and ready in about 30 minutes making it a perfect weeknight meal!
Provided by Julie | The Simple Veganista
Categories Entree
Time 30m
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- In a large pot, heat oil or water over medium heat, add the onion, garlic, ginger, and chili peppers and saute for 5 minutes stirring frequently.
- Add the sweet potatoes, tomatoes, spices and liquids, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, or until sweet potatoes are fork tender.
- Turn off heat and stir in the peanut butter, and finish with the spinach and lemon juice. Soup will thicken upon cooling. Season with salt & pepper to taste.
- Serves 4 - 6
- Serve in individual bowls with optional grain of choice (this cilantro lime rice would be great) and garnish with cilantro and peanuts. Soup pairs wonderfully with naan bread for soaking and dipping!
- Leftovers will keep for 5 days in a covered container in the refrigerator. To store longer, keep in the freezer for up to 2 months in freezer friendly containers or baggies.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 276 calories, Sugar 7.4 g, Sodium 201.4 mg, Fat 17.7 g, SaturatedFat 3.5 g, TransFat 0 g, Carbohydrate 22.3 g, Fiber 8.8 g, Protein 15 g, Cholesterol 0 mg
WEST AFRICAN PEANUT STEW WITH SWEET POTATO & SPINACH
Sweet potatoes, peanut butter, spinach, cumin ... the comforting combo results in the heartiest, most flavorful vegan stew around.
Provided by Kare for Kitchen Treaty
Time 35m
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Cook the rice according to package instructions.
- While the rice cooks, make the stew. Set a medium soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-low heat. When hot, add the olive oil and the onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 6-8 minutes. Add the garlic, cumin, and coriander and cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute.
- Add the broth, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, ginger, cayenne, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Once the stew comes to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered until the sweet potatoes are tender, 8-10 minutes.
- Stir in the peanut butter and the spinach. Stew is done when the peanut butter has distributed and the spinach has wilted, about 2 minutes. Taste and add more salt and pepper if you like.
- Serve with a scoop of brown rice and garnish with cilantro and peanuts.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 470 kcal, Sugar 10 g, Sodium 530 mg, Fat 21 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, Carbohydrate 60 g, Fiber 10 g, Protein 15 g, ServingSize 1 serving
SOUL-SOOTHING PEANUT STEW
This wholesome peanut-based dish takes inspiration from a West African groundnut stew. Soothing, lightly spiced and vegan, it is enriched with chickpeas, spinach and natural peanut butter.
Provided by Angela Liddon
Categories Dinner, Main Course
Time 55m
Number Of Ingredients 1
Steps:
- In a large saucepan, heat the oil over a medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the onion is translucent. Add the bell pepper, jalapeno (if using), sweet potato, and tomatoes with their juices. Raise the heat to medium-high and simmer for 5 minutes more. Season the vegetables with salt and black pepper. In a medium bowl, whisk together the peanut butter and 250ml of the vegetable broth until no clumps remain. Stir the mixture into the vegetables along with the remaining 750ml broth, chilli powder, and the cayenne (if using). Cover the pan with a lid and reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer for 10 to 20 minutes, or until the sweet potato is fork-tender. Stir in the chickpeas and spinach and cook until the spinach is wilted. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Ladle the stew into bowls and garnish with coriander or parsley and roasted peanuts. Tip: Have some leftover cooked rice? This soup is fabulous with some stirred in.
WEST AFRICAN PEANUT STEW
One-pot meals are staples in Gullah-Geechie households, and this dish is a special one to me. West African enslaved people were brought to the Low Country, and with them they brought their indigenous foods like collards, tomatoes, peanuts and rice. This stew has all of those ingredients, and it's delicious served on its own or over rice.
Provided by Kardea Brown
Categories main-dish
Time 1h20m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven until hot. Sprinkle the chicken pieces with salt and pepper and cook until browned on all sides, about 20 minutes. Remove the chicken to a plate. Add the onion, garlic, ginger and bouillon cubes to the pot and cook until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste and peanut butter. Add 4 cups of water and the Scotch bonnet pepper. Return the chicken to the pot. Bring to a boil; reduce the heat and let simmer 10 to 12 minutes.
- Add the sweet potatoes, tomatoes and collard greens. Cover and simmer until the potatoes are easily pierced with a fork, about 25 minutes. (Remove the Scotch bonnet pepper if someone has a low tolerance for heat.)
- Serve warm with hot cooked rice, if using.
WEST AFRICAN PEANUT STEW
A hearty stew that's super-easy to make and great for peanut butter lovers. Can be made vegetarian or with chicken. In a pinch, feel free to use vegetable or corn oil for peanut oil, powdered ginger for fresh, water for stock, etc. Kale works well in place of collard greens.
Provided by km1312
Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Stews Chicken
Time 1h5m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Heat the peanut oil in a large pot over medium-high heat; cook and stir the onion, garlic, and ginger in the hot oil until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the chicken; cook and stir until completely browned. Season with the crushed red pepper, salt, and black pepper. Pour the chicken stock over the mixture. Stir the sweet potatoes into the liquid and bring the mixture to a boil; reduce heat to low, cover the pot partially with a lid, and cook at a simmer for 15 minutes.
- Stir the tomatoes, collard greens, and peanut butter into the soup. Partially cover the pot again and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, another 20 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 730.6 calories, Carbohydrate 44.9 g, Cholesterol 70.1 mg, Fat 43.8 g, Fiber 11.1 g, Protein 45.5 g, SaturatedFat 7.7 g, Sodium 1470.3 mg, Sugar 14.5 g
WEST AFRICAN-STYLE PEANUT STEW WITH CHICKEN
African-inspired spices infuse the peanut butter and tomato base of this hearty one-pot stew starring chicken, sweet potatoes, and collard greens. This recipe, which appeared in Allrecipes magazine's Dec/Jan 2020 issue, comes from Ellie's new cookbook, "Whole in One: Complete, Healthy Meals in a Single Pot, Sheet Pan, or Skillet". This keeps up to 4 days, chilled in an airtight container.
Provided by Ellie Krieger
Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Stews Chicken
Time 1h
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Season chicken with 1/2 teaspoon salt and the black pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add half the chicken; cook until no longer pink, 2 to 3 minutes, then transfer to a plate. Repeat with 1 tablespoon oil and remaining chicken.
- Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the pot and reduce heat to medium. Add onion; cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add garlic, ginger, coriander, cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring, 30 seconds.
- Stir in broth, tomatoes, sweet potato, collard greens, and red bell peppers; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer, partially covered, until vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes.
- Return chicken and accumulated juices to the pot. Return to a boil, then stir in peanut butter; simmer until incorporated and chicken is cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped peanuts.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 444.2 calories, Carbohydrate 32.9 g, Cholesterol 61.2 mg, Fat 21.2 g, Fiber 7.4 g, Protein 33.2 g, SaturatedFat 4.2 g, Sodium 702.1 mg, Sugar 11 g
WEST AFRICAN PEANUT STEW
Peanuts are the star of this hearty plant-based stew that's inspired by the cuisine of West Africa. Featuring superfoods like sweet potatoes, collard greens, and millet, it uses the humble peanut two different ways: peanut butter to thicken the brothy base, and roasted and chopped, to provide a crunchy contrast to the tender vegetables.
Provided by Greg Lofts
Categories Food & Cooking Healthy Recipes Vegan Recipes
Time 45m
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high until shimmering. Add onion, garlic, ginger, and pepper flakes; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until golden in places, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomato paste; cook 1 minute more.
- Add collard greens, sweet potato, peanut butter, and broth. Bring to a boil, stirring until peanut butter dissolves into broth. Reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until sweet potatoes are tender but still hold their shape, 18 to 20 minutes. Serve stew topped with millet, peanuts, cilantro, and lime wedges.
Tips for Making West African Peanut Stew with Sweet Potato and Spinach:
- Use flavorful peanut butter: Look for a natural, unsweetened peanut butter without added oils or sugars. This will ensure that the stew has a rich and creamy peanut flavor without being too heavy. - Roast the sweet potatoes before adding them to the stew. This will caramelize their natural sugars and add a slightly smoky flavor. - Add a variety of vegetables to the stew. This recipe calls for sweet potatoes and spinach, but you can also add carrots, bell peppers, or any other vegetables you like. - Season the stew to taste. The peanut butter and tomatoes provide a lot of flavor, but you may want to add additional spices such as cumin, chili powder, or cayenne pepper. - Serve the stew with rice, couscous, or your favorite grain. You can also serve it with a dollop of yogurt or sour cream.Conclusion:
This West African Peanut Stew with Sweet Potato and Spinach is a delicious and hearty stew that's perfect for a weeknight meal. It's packed with flavor and nutrients, and it's easy to make. So next time you're looking for a new recipe to try, give this stew a try. You won't be disappointed!
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