African Groundnut Soup
A rich, hearty, and flavorful West African soup made with groundnuts (peanuts), tender meat, and a blend of aromatic vegetables. It's a comforting dish perfect for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 500 g lamb or chicken cut into stewing pieces
- 1 large onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 inch ginger grated
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes optional
- 400 g canned crushed tomatoes
- 200 g natural peanut butter smooth or crunchy
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 cups water
- 1 large sweet potato peeled and diced
- 1 cup spinach fresh
Instructions
- Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the lamb or chicken pieces and brown on all sides. Remove meat and set aside.
- Add chopped onion to the pot and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes (if using), and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the peanut butter with 1 cup of broth until smooth.
- Add the peanut butter mixture and the remaining 2 cups of water to the pot. Stir well to combine. Return the browned meat to the pot.
- Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the meat is tender.
- Add the diced sweet potato and continue to simmer for another 15-20 minutes, or until the sweet potato is tender.
- Stir in the fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve hot with your choice of accompaniment.
Notes
For a vegetarian version, omit the lamb or chicken and add extra root vegetables like sweet potatoes or cassava, and chickpeas. Adjust chili to taste. Serve with rice, fufu, or crusty bread for a complete meal.