West African Peanut Stew
Prep Time:
20 Minutes
Serves:
6 Servings
Cook Time:
40 Minutes
Author
Krystal Roberts
About the Recipe
This West African-inspired peanut stew is rich, creamy, spicy, and deeply comforting. Sweet potatoes, tomatoes, ginger, chili, spinach, and peanut butter create a satisfying one-pot meal.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil, or ⅓ cup water for oil-free cooking
- 1 large onion, diced
- 5–6 garlic cloves, minced
- 2–3 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tbsp ground coriander
- 1–2 chili peppers, finely diced
- 2–3 lb sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into ½-inch cubes
- 1 can (15 oz / 400 g) diced tomatoes, with juices
- 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
- ¾ cup natural creamy peanut butter
- 5 oz fresh spinach, about 4 packed cups
- Juice of 2 small lemons
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Optional Add-Ins
- 2 cups chickpeas
- Seitan chicken
- Crispy tofu
- Kale instead of spinach
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp cumin
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
- Roasted peanuts, for garnish
- To Serve
- Steamed jasmine rice
- Brown rice
- Quinoa
- Flatbread
- Lime or lemon wedges
- Fresh cilantro
- Crushed roasted peanuts
- Red pepper flakes
Linked Recipes
Preparation
Step 1
Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat. For an oil-free version, use water instead.
Step 2
Add the onion and cook for 5–6 minutes, until softened.
Step 3
Stir in the garlic, ginger, coriander, and chili peppers and cook for 1 minute.
Step 4
Add the sweet potatoes, diced tomatoes with their juices, and vegetable broth.
Step 5
Bring to a boil, reduce to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 20–25 minutes, until the sweet potatoes are tender.
Step 6
Whisk the peanut butter with about 1 cup of hot broth until smooth.
Step 7
Stir the peanut mixture back into the pot and simmer for 5 minutes.
Step 8
If using chickpeas, seitan, or tofu, stir them in and cook for 3–5 minutes.
Step 9
Stir in the spinach and cook for 2–3 minutes, until wilted.
Step 10
Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper.
Step 11
Serve over rice or quinoa with cilantro, peanuts, citrus wedges, and chili flakes if desired.
