African Peanut Stew

Lizzymommy's Note:

I first had this stew at a restaurant in Rochester, NY, and when I moved away, spent years recreating it! Delicious with a lovely hearty bread, or with rice cooked in the stew (about 3/4 cup brown rice added with the sweet potatoes and carrots).

• Total Time: 1 hrs 30 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs 15 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 10

• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 large onion , chopped
• 3 garlic cloves , minced
• 1 -2 tablespoon finely minced fresh ginger
• 1 jalapeno , seeded and finely minced
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• 2 (14 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with juice
• 8 cups low sodium vegetable broth
• ½ cup natural-style peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon tamari soy sauce (to taste)
• pepper
• 1 lb sweet potato , peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
• 2 carrots , cut into 1/2-inch dice
• 3 cups cooked chickpeas
• 6 ounces fresh okra , sliced thinly
• 1 cup frozen green bean
• 3 cups kale , finely chopped
• 1 lime, juice of
• ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
• lime wedge (to garnish)
• ¼ cup chopped salted peanuts (to garnish)

Directions:

1. Heat the oil in a large, heavy stockpot. Add the onion, garlic, jalapeno, and ginger, and cook over moderate heat, stirring frequently, until the onion is lightly browned, about 6 minutes. Add the curry powder and cook, stirring, until fragrant and lightly toasted, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, scraping up any bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. Whisk in the broth and peanut butter, season with pepper and tamari to taste, and bring to a boil. Cook over moderately high heat for 15 minutes, stirring frequently.
2. Add the sweet potatoes, carrots, and chickpeas, cover partially and cook over moderately low heat until the vegetables are just tender, about 20 minutes. Add the okra and green beans, cover partially and cook until all the vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes longer. Add the kale and juice of 1 lime, and cook for 10 more minutes.
3. Transfer to deep bowls and serve hot. Garnish with the cilantro, lime wedges, and chopped peanuts at the table.

Reviews

[kbmidura]

This was really great, the first time, and for leftovers! I served it over couscous. The only thing was that it was a little on the bland side. I will double the curry powder next time. Also, it makes a LOT of stew. I couldn't add the green beans because there wasn't room in the pot! It was fine without them, though. Next time I'll halve the recipe so I can make it in my good cast-iron soup pot and I am sure it will be even more tasty.

[klincko]

This was easy and delicious! I ate this 3 days in a row and did not grow tired of it. I can not wait to make this for guests because it also looks beautiful. The colors are very vibrant. I did not have frozen green beans so I used peas and they worked out perfectly. I left everything else the same.

[OneEyedDogMama]

Deeee-licious! So satisfying and unique....makes great leftovers for lunches, too! I substituted a red bell pepper for the carrots and used more okra than the recipe called for...I imagine anyone could play around with the veggies to create something suited to their individualized tastes. I made this for a friend who worked in a soup restaurant, and it even pleased her palate. Thank you so much for sharing! This will be a keeper.