African Peanut Soup

I ate this daily when I lived in Bellingham, Washington at the Colophon Bookstore in Fairhaven. It's savory and a bit spicy, not sweet like you'd think.

• Ready In: 35 mins
• Serves: 6-10

Ingredients

• 1  ounce fresh ginger, scrubbed and chunked
• 2  garlic cloves
• 1  teaspoon  dried chili pepper flakes
• 3 (28 ounce) cans tomatoes, drained and quartered
• 1 3⁄4 cups unsalted dry roasted peanuts
• 1  medium onion, chopped
• 1 1⁄2 cups  chicken stock
• 3  cups water
• 1⁄2 lb chicken breast, cooked and cubed
• 1⁄2 cup butter, melted
• 1⁄2 cup flour
• 8  lemon wedges

Directions

1. In food processor, blend ginger, garlic, and chili peppers until finely chopped. Add to processor 2 cans tomatoes, peanuts, and onion; leave chunky (you may need to do this in batches.) Place mixture in soup pot and add 1 can tomatoes, chicken stock, water, and chicken. Make a paste of butter and flour and add to pot. Bring to a boil.
2. Let cool to 145º (comfortable eating temp.) and serve each bowl topped with a few peanuts and juice from one lemon wedge. Serve with extra crushed chili peppers, and a loaf of French bread with butter.