Best African Stew Recipes

AFRICAN PEANUT SWEET POTATO STEW

Steps:

• Place the first 8 ingredients in a food processor; process until pureed. Transfer to a 5-qt. slow cooker; stir in sweet potatoes, beans and water., Cook, covered, on low 6-8 hours or until potatoes are tender, adding kale during the last 30 minutes. If desired, top each serving with chopped peanuts and additional cilantro.

WEST AFRICAN-STYLE PEANUT STEW WITH CHICKEN

Steps:

• Season chicken with 1/2 teaspoon salt and the black pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add half the chicken; cook until no longer pink, 2 to 3 minutes, then transfer to a plate. Repeat with 1 tablespoon oil and remaining chicken.
• Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the pot and reduce heat to medium. Add onion; cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add garlic, ginger, coriander, cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring, 30 seconds.
• Stir in broth, tomatoes, sweet potato, collard greens, and red bell peppers; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer, partially covered, until vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes.
• Return chicken and accumulated juices to the pot. Return to a boil, then stir in peanut butter; simmer until incorporated and chicken is cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped peanuts.

WEST AFRICAN PEANUT STEW

Steps:

• Heat the peanut oil in a large pot over medium-high heat; cook and stir the onion, garlic, and ginger in the hot oil until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the chicken; cook and stir until completely browned. Season with the crushed red pepper, salt, and black pepper. Pour the chicken stock over the mixture. Stir the sweet potatoes into the liquid and bring the mixture to a boil; reduce heat to low, cover the pot partially with a lid, and cook at a simmer for 15 minutes.
• Stir the tomatoes, collard greens, and peanut butter into the soup. Partially cover the pot again and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, another 20 minutes.

WEST AFRICAN PEANUT STEW WITH SWEET POTATO & SPINACH

Steps:

• Cook the rice according to package instructions.
• While the rice cooks, make the stew. Set a medium soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-low heat. When hot, add the olive oil and the onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 6-8 minutes. Add the garlic, cumin, and coriander and cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute.
• Add the broth, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, ginger, cayenne, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Once the stew comes to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered until the sweet potatoes are tender, 8-10 minutes.
• Stir in the peanut butter and the spinach. Stew is done when the peanut butter has distributed and the spinach has wilted, about 2 minutes. Taste and add more salt and pepper if you like.
• Serve with a scoop of brown rice and garnish with cilantro and peanuts.

WEST AFRICAN CHICKEN STEW

Steps:

• Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. In a Dutch oven, cook chicken over medium heat in 2 teaspoons oil for 4-6 minutes or until no longer pink; remove and set aside., In the same pan, saute onion in remaining oil until tender. Add garlic and ginger; cook 1 minute longer., Stir in the peas, tomatoes, sweet potato, broth, peanut butter, 1-1/4 teaspoons thyme and cayenne. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until potato is tender. Add chicken; heat through., Serve with rice if desired. Sprinkle with remaining thyme.

AFRICAN SWEET POTATO STEW

Steps:

• Place onion, jalapeno peppers, garlic, ginger, cumin, salt, coriander, cinnamon, and red pepper flakes in a large slow cooker. Pour in water and stir to combine. Mix in sweet potatoes, tomatoes, chickpeas, and peanut butter.
• Set cooker to Medium-High, cover, and cook until sweet potatoes are tender and stew has thickened, about 6 hours. Stir in green beans, cover, and continue cooking until beans are heated through, 15 to 20 minutes.

AFRICAN SWEET POTATO AND PEANUT STEW

Steps:

• 1. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, cover and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the bell pepper and garlic, cover, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the brown sugar, ginger, cumin, cinnamon and cayenne and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add the sweet potatoes and stir to coat. Stir in the tomatoes, stock and salt to taste. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer until the vegetables are soft, about 30 minutes.
• 2. About 10 minutes before the end of the cooking time, stir in the kidney beans and simmer until heated through.
• 3. Place the peanut butter in a small bowl and blend in about 1/4 cup of the broth, stirring until smooth, then stir it into the stew. If a thicker consistency is desired, puree 1 cup of the stew in a blender or food processor and stir back into pot.
• 4. Taste and adjust seasonings. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts and serve.

SPICY AFRICAN CHICKEN STEW

Steps:

• Pour the hot stock over the peanut butter and stir until dissolved. Heat a very large pan and fry the onions in the oil for 5 mins to soften. Add the ginger, cayenne, if using, ½ tsp black pepper, coriander, cumin, chillies and bay and cook, stirring, for 2 mins.
• Tip in the tomatoes and the peanut stock, then stir in the chicken pieces. Put a lid on the pan and leave to simmer for 30 mins, stirring frequently to make sure the peanut butter doesn't stick to the base of the pan.
• Stir in the sweet potatoes, peppers and chopped coriander, then cook for 30 mins more. Serve sprinkled with the reserved coriander, with rice and lime wedges for squeezing over, if you like.

AFRICAN SWEET POTATO PEANUT STEW

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, sautée the chopped carrots, celery, and onion with the spices. Add the garlic after about 2 minutes (so they do not burn), and stir until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
• Add the cubed sweet potatoes and tomatoes, mix for two minutes, then add the water and milk. Simmer until the sweet potatoes are soft, about 20 minutes. Use an immersion blender to puree the stew until smooth. Add the peanut butter and okra, and simmer to desired consistency (it might splatter). Add more water or milk if it is too thick.

VEGAN AFRICAN PEANUT STEW IN THE INSTANT POT®

Steps:

• Mix cumin, cinnamon, cayenne, chile flakes, cloves, and salt together in a bowl. Set spice mixture aside.
• Turn on a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot®) and select Saute function. Allow the pot to preheat for 2 minutes. Add sweet potato, onion, and bell pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes. Add a splash of water and stir if vegetables stick to the pot. Add garlic, ginger, and spice mixture; cook and stir continually for 1 minute. Turn pressure cooker off.
• Add tomatoes and peanut butter. Stir until dissolved. Add water and stir. Close and lock the lid with vent set to sealing. Select manual mode and set timer for 10 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.
• Release pressure using the natural-release method according to manufacturer's instructions, 10 to 40 minutes. Unlock and remove the lid. Stir in collard greens.
• Place cilantro and chopped peanuts in separate bowls and serve alongside stew.

WEST AFRICAN PEANUT STEW

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high until shimmering. Add onion, garlic, ginger, and pepper flakes; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until golden in places, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomato paste; cook 1 minute more.
• Add collard greens, sweet potato, peanut butter, and broth. Bring to a boil, stirring until peanut butter dissolves into broth. Reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until sweet potatoes are tender but still hold their shape, 18 to 20 minutes. Serve stew topped with millet, peanuts, cilantro, and lime wedges.

VEGAN AFRICAN SWEET POTATO STEW

Steps:

• Prepare in advance your sweet potatoes by peeling them and chopping them into chunks. Dice your carrots, celery and onion. Drain and quarter your tomatoes from the can.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of peanut oil in a large Dutch oven or stockpot over medium-high heat. Add curry powder and cook, stirring constantly for 1 minute. Add onions, carrots and celery and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Stir in sweet potatoes, broth and tomatoes, and bring soup to a boil. Simmer, covered, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, peanuts, cayenne, peanut butter, and coconut milk to the soup, stirring to combine. Bring mixture to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes.
• Serve hot; makes 6 very hearty servings.

AFRICAN CHICKEN STEW

Steps:

• In a large skillet with a tight-fitting lid, heat oil over medium high heat. Add chicken, and brown quickly. Remove chicken from pan. Reduce heat to medium low, and add garlic, onion and potato to the pan; saute for 2 to 3 minutes. Season with cumin, coriander, black pepper, red pepper and salt. Do not let garlic brown.
• Mix in water and browned chicken, and any accumulated juices. Place lid on skillet and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Remove lid, and stir in the peanut butter and garbanzo beans. Make sure the peanut butter is blended in. Replace lid to simmer for 10 more minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and potatoes are tender. Remove from heat, adjust seasoning, and serve.

WEST AFRICAN GROUNDNUT STEW (MOOSEWOOD)

Steps:

• Sauté the onions in the oil for about 10 minutes. Stir in the cayenne and garlic and sauté for a couple more minutes. Add the cabbage and sweet potatoes and sauté, covered for a few minutes. Mix in the juices, salt, ginger, cilantro, and tomatoes. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes, until the sweet potatoes are tender. Add the okra and simmer for 5 minutes more. Stir in the peanut butter, place the pan on a heat diffuser, and simmer gently until ready to serve. Add more juice or water if the stew is too thick.

WEST AFRICAN PEANUT STEW

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven until hot. Sprinkle the chicken pieces with salt and pepper and cook until browned on all sides, about 20 minutes. Remove the chicken to a plate. Add the onion, garlic, ginger and bouillon cubes to the pot and cook until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste and peanut butter. Add 4 cups of water and the Scotch bonnet pepper. Return the chicken to the pot. Bring to a boil; reduce the heat and let simmer 10 to 12 minutes.
• Add the sweet potatoes, tomatoes and collard greens. Cover and simmer until the potatoes are easily pierced with a fork, about 25 minutes. (Remove the Scotch bonnet pepper if someone has a low tolerance for heat.)
• Serve warm with hot cooked rice, if using.

NORTH AFRICAN CHICKEN AND SPINACH STEW

Steps:

• PLACE the chicken in a large pot and cover it with water. Add the celery, carrot, onion, and bay leaves and season with 1 tablespoon salt. Cover and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 45 minutes.
• REMOVE the chicken to a deep dish or bowl and let it drain. Strain the stock into a large bowl or pan and set aside. Transfer the vegetables from the strainer to a blender (remove the bay leaves), add the garlic, and puree until completely smooth. Set aside.
• TO make the spinach stew, in a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons of the butter. When it's bubbling slightly, add the vegetable puree. Warm it through, about 2 minutes. Season with 1 teaspoon salt, the pepper, and the cinnamon stick, then add the spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups of the reserved stock and bring to a simmer. Cook to let the flavors develop, about 15 minutes. Reduce the heat and keep warm (remove the cinnamon stick before serving).
• MEANWHILE, when the chicken is cool enough to handle, pat it completely dry and break it down into 8 pieces: 2 thighs, 2 wings, and 2 breasts, then split the breasts in half. Place the chicken pieces in a large dish. Combine the granulated onion, granulated garlic, paprika, cayenne, oregano, and 1 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Completely coat the chicken in this dry rub.
• MELT the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a large cast-iron skillet over high heat. Add the chicken pieces and sear until charred in spots, about 4 minutes. Flip and cook on the other side, 4 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• SERVE the chicken with rice and a generous ladle of spinach stew. Squeeze lemon over the plate if desired.

AFRICAN STEW

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons vegetable stock, onion, and garlic. Cook and stir until onion is soft, 3 to 5 minutes. Add remaining stock, sweet potatoes, chickpeas, brown rice, and salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cover the stew. Simmer until sweet potatoes and rice are tender, about 45 minutes.
• Combine peanut butter with 1/2 cup of the liquid from the stew. Stir into a smooth paste.
• Add the peanut butter mixture and kale to the stew. Cook until kale is wilted, about 5 minutes. Stir in lemon juice, soy sauce, and hot pepper sauce.

AFRICAN SWEET POTATO STEW WITH RED BEANS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cover and cook 5 minutes or until tender. Place onion mixture in a 5-quart electric slow cooker. Add sweet potato and next 10 ingredients (through chiles). Cover and cook on low 8 hours or until vegetables are tender. Spoon 1 cup cooking liquid into a small bowl. Add peanut butter; stir well with a whisk. Stir peanut butter mixture into stew. Top with peanuts; serve with lime wedges.

AFRICAN POTATO STEW

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat, then add onions & garlic, cooking them for 5 minutes & stirring occasionally, until onions soften.
• Add ginger, seeds, ground coriander & cloves, & cook stirring frequently, for 2 minutes.
• Add potatoes, stirring well, then stir in the 4 cups of water, before turning the heat up to high.
• When mixture comes to a boil, add 1 teaspoon of salt, stir, & reduce the heat to low, simmering the stew, uncovered, for 5 minutes, while stirring occasionally.
• Stir in the sauliflower, sweet potato, collard greens & raisins, continuing to cook for 10 minutes or until the potatoes & sweet potatoes are tender.
• Season the stew with the vinegar,more salt & the pepper, adding more water if the stew is too dry. Serve hot!

AFRICAN PEANUT STEW WITH CHICKEN MEATBALLS

Steps:

• For the meatballs: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Combine the breadcrumbs with the milk in a medium bowl until the crumbs soak up the milk, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the ground chicken, onion, garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, egg, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Use a 2-tablespoon ice cream scoop to form about 20 meatballs and transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Bake until the meatballs are slightly golden on top and just cooked through, about 15 minutes; set aside.
• For the stew: Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the ginger, garlic and jalapeno and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, until the color looks rusty, about 1 minute. Add the coriander, smoked paprika and cayenne and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring, about 30 seconds. Add the sweet potatoes, chicken stock, canned tomatoes and peanut butter and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover and cook until the sweet potato is tender, about 30 minutes. Uncover and stir in the meatballs, kale and peanuts; cook for 10 minutes. Taste and season with salt and black pepper. Remove from the heat and stir in the cilantro. Serve with white rice.