Sweet Potato Peanut Stew

Sweet potato peanut stew, or groundnut stew, is called Mafe in West Africa. The stew uses a savory sauce made from peanut butter and tomatoes and is common throughout West and Central Africa. This recipe is based on one from Iba Thiam, chef and owner of Cazamance restaurant in Austin, Texas, and it is one of the recipes in Oldways’ A Taste of African Heritage cooking program. The sweet potato, a much-loved African heritage food, is a featured ingredient.

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 medium-size yellow onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 large sweet potato, chopped into medium-size cubes
• 2 large carrots, cut into thin rounds
• 2 green zucchini, cut into thin half-rounds
• 1 small can (15oz) of diced tomatoes, no salt added
• 2 cups low sodium vegetable broth
• 1 tablespoon curry power
• 1/4 cup natural peanut butter
• 3 sprigs of fresh thyme, minced, or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Sea salt to taste

Directions:

Heat the oil in one of the soup pots on medium heat and sauté the onion and garlic until translucent (3-4 minutes).

While the onions and garlic cook, chop up the sweet potato, carrots, and zucchini.

Add sweet potato and vegetables to the pot; saute for 3-4 minutes.

Add the diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, and curry powder, and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.

After 10 minutes, add the peanut butter and the thyme to the stew. Let it cook, covered, for another 3-5 minutes.

Salt to taste, serve and enjoy!

Active time: 20 minutes

Total time: 30 minutes