Angola

Peanut Stew

Ingredients

1 teaspoon canola oil or 1 teaspoon peanut oil
1 onion, finely chopped
1 Sweet potato 
1 -2 garlic clove, minced
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh ginger, grated
1 jalapeno pepper, diced (or serrano if you like it more spicy)
2 -3 medium tomatoes, chopped
1 carrot, peeled and grated
1/2-1 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon berbere, spice powder (or cayenne)
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
black pepper, to taste
1 -2 teaspoon sugar
3 -4 cups water or 3 -4 cups broth
1/2-1 cup crunchy peanut butter (adjust to taste)
peanuts, for garnish (optional)
1 dash lemons (optional) or 1 dash lime juice (optional)

Directions

Heat the oil in a medium saucepan. Add the onions, garlic and ginger; cook until the onion is translucent. Add the chili pepper(s), heat for several more minutes.
Add turmeric, berbere, and cloves. Cook over medium heat until.
Add the tomatoes, grated carrot and any other vegetables you want to use. Cook for 5 more minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the water or broth to the saucepan and bring to a boil. Add the peanut butter and reduce heat to medium-low. Stir well for 5-10 minutes, or until the peanut butter dissolves. Add the sugar and lemon/lime juice (if using). Taste, and adjust any ingredients to taste. Simmer for 5-10 minutes longer. 

Thoughts:

As the weeks pass and the year comes into full swing, I, like most people by the end of January, realize my New Years goals were neither attainable nor realistic; as goals should be. I may have bitten off more than I can chew (so to speak). Alas, I was able to get around to yet another country, and so it goes… Typically, the thoughts are born entirely of my own perspective. The brave soul who dared to join me gave it glowing remarks! If, like me, you find peanut butter to give you that certain ineffable feeling, I would strongly recommend this stew. It was simple to make (passing the beer in hand test), cheap (including the beer), and  delicious with a hint of spice! It also makes for some great left-over lunches.  

My new, and hopefully attainable goal, is to add to this during the weekends. We’ll see how it goes