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The African Peanut Butter Stew is rich, creamy, and full of flavor. The easy-to-make combo of chicken, tomatoes, spices, and peanut butter comes together quickly.
Peanuts are eaten as a snack and occasionally with porridge in Africa. However, it has been observed that in other nations, the majority of individuals enjoy peanut butter and jelly. This dish is a “must-try” if you aren’t allergic to peanut butter and enjoy peanut butter and jelly.
The peanut butter stew gives you the aromatic flavor of the peanut butter and the savory taste profile. The peanut butter found in grocery stores are full of sugar, therefore you can make your own sugar free peanut butter.
You can do so in 5 minutes by placing roasted peanuts in a food processor and turning the food processor on until it becomes creamy and smooth. The peanuts go in stages from crumbs to a dry ball to a smooth and creamy “liquid” peanut butter. The peanut butter holds in the fridge for a couple of weeks.
Origin of Peanut Stew
Granat soup is the traditional term for peanut stew. Granat is the krio word for groundnuts, often known as peanuts.
Peanut stew, also widely known as maafe, may be found all throughout West Africa, and their origins can be traced back to meals cooked with native groundnuts before the arrival of the peanut from the New World in the 16th century.
Maafe can be traced back to Mali’s Mandinka and Bambara people. In the Mandinka language, it’s called “domodah” or “tigadegena” in Bamanankan.
Health Benefits of Peanut Stew
Peanut butter is a good source of plant-based protein because it contains roughly 25% protein. It does, however, lack the important amino acid methionine. Peanuts have a low carb content, making them ideal for persons with type 2 diabetes or those on a low-carb diet. Peanut butter is high in many beneficial vitamins and minerals, but it also includes a lot of calories.
Variations of Peanut Stew
Depending on the country of origin, there are numerous versions of this dish.
- Beef, pork, or smoked fish can all be substituted for the chicken.
- You can also include potato cabbage, carrots, kale, spinach, mustard greens, or any other hearty greens you desire.
- By adding pureed pepper, you may make it as hot as you want.
- Some varieties are thick and served over rice, fufu, or millet couscous, while others are thinner and nearly soup-like, the consistency varying greatly depending on where in Western Africa you are.
Chicken Peanut Stew
Ingredients
- 1 cup peanut butter paste
- 1 onion
- 2 fresh tomatoes
- 1 tsp tomato paste
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- 2 - 5 habanero peppers or serrano pepper
- 8 chicken legs or wings
- 2 cloves garlic large
- 1 tbsp ginger
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 bouillon cube
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Boil the chicken with your favorite seasoning, then Fry and set aside.
- Blend tomatoes and onion.
- Add remaining onion, tomato and tomato paste to the chicken broth. Bring to a boil and let it simmer stirring frequently to prevent any burns- about 5 minutes.
- Next, add the peanut butter, chicken (2 cups of water or chicken stock as needed), season with, chicken bouillon, salt and cayenne pepper. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes or more.
- Add the habanero peppers or Serrano pepper.
- Adjust the soup thickness with water/chicken stock if necessary and let simmer to desired thickness.
- The peanut butter can be served with white rice, Eba or Fufu
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Nutrition