African Peanut Stew is a delicious stew combining peanut butter, yams, tomatoes and curry powder for a hearty and earthy meal. What seems like an odd combination is actually perfect comfort food.
African Peanut Stew is a hearty dish, packed with protein that is super nutritious and so delicious. Using natural peanut butter, tomatoes, yams and collards, this combination sounds a bit strange. But the result of this medley is comforting and spectacular. The yams are chunky but taste creamy while the collards add a subtle bitterness and the tomatoes and jalapenos add just the right freshness to the stew. The peanut butter and curry powder blend together for a warm, earthy base. Also, the jalapenos are seeded and diced so the heat is mild but may be increased if you prefer.
African Peanut Stew is meant to be served with brown rice. If you prefer, you can also add the meat of one diced chicken breast, in place of one of the yams. Chock full of nutrients, this stew is true comfort food anytime of year.
African Peanut Stew
Ingredients
- 2 cups brown basmati rice
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil or safflower oil
- 2 yellow onions, rough diced
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 jalapeno peppers, seeded and finely chopped, add seeds to increase heat
- 2 Tablespoon curry powder
- 1 Tablespoon minced fresh ginger
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 cups chopped tomatoes, jarred or canned chopped tomatoes, with juices
- ⅓ cup smooth or chunky all-natural unsalted peanut butter
- 2 sweet potatoes cut into 1-inch dice
- 4 cups shredded green or red Swiss chard could substitute kale
- Sea salt to taste
- ¼ cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
- ¼ cup unsalted raw peanuts, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook 2 cups of rice according to package directions; cover and set aside.
- Meanwhile, in a 5- to 6-qt saucepan or stockpot, heat 1 tablespoon of oil on medium heat. Add 2 onions and sauté, stirring occasionally, until tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Add 6 cloves of garlic, 3 jalapeños, 2 tablespoons curry powder and 1 Tablespoon ginger and sauté for 1 more minute.
- Stir in 4 cups broth, 2 cups chopped tomatoes and ⅓ cup peanut butter. Add 2 potatoes and 4 cups chard and increase heat to medium-high. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook until potatoes and chard are tender, uncovered, 12 to 14 minutes. Season with salt.
- Divide rice among serving bowls. Top with stew, ¼ cup cilantro and ¼ cup peanuts.
Recipe adapted from Clean Eating Magazine.
I was nervous the whole time while it was cooking but I followed the directions exactly and it turned out wonderful! My husband doesn’t like stew and soup very much but he stated, “Add this one to your book!” We will definitely be eating this more often.
I made this for a co-worker who is from West Africa. He loved it and deemed it very authentic! I made it pretty much as written except adding a little more greens and peanut butter. This recipe is the real deal! Delicious!
Love this dish! I’ve always called it African Groundnut Stew. I like it much better this way with see potatoes in head of russet and we love to eat it over rice too
Just curious about the tomatoes…it calls for boxed or jarred….is that similar to canned? How many cans would it take, if I used canned diced tomatoes?
Hi Amy, yes you can definitely use canned diced tomatoes. You could use one 15 oz. can of tomatoes.
I love how healthy this looks! I’ve been trying to incorporate more vegan foods in my diet and this fits the bill!
We try to a vegan recipe once a week too, Kathy. This is one of our very favorites because it’s so hearty. We don’t miss the meat at all! I hope you try it. š
looks and sounds so yummy!