Groundnut Stew

Groundnut is the common African word for peanut, and Groundnut Stew or Groundnut Chop is one of many Chop dishes; the Western African version of the Chicken in Peanut-Tomato Sauce eaten all over sub-Saharan Africa. The Western African style is usually more elaborate, with more ingredients and garnishes. Palm-Oil Chop is similar to Groundnut Stew: the main difference is that peanuts (or peanut butter) in Groundnut Stew replace the palm nuts (or canned palm soup base) and in Palm-Oil Chop.

What you need

• one or two sweet potatoes, or a similar amount of yams, peeled and cut into cubes (optional)
• peanut oil (or other cooking oil)
• one or two chickens, cut into large bite-sized pieces (you can also use equal parts chicken and beef or stew meat)
• salt (to taste)
• black pepper (to taste)
• chicken broth or stock (optional)
• two or three tomatoes, chopped (or canned tomaoes, or tomato sauce or tomato paste)
• one or two onions, chopped very fine
• one clove garlic, minced (optional)
• one or two hot chile peppers, chopped (optional)
• one-half teaspoon ground ginger or coriander
• pinch of thyme or a bay leaf
• one-quarter cup dried shrimp or dried prawns (optional)
• one medium eggplant (aubergine, or guinea squash) or a dozen okra, or canned beans, or canned corn (optional)
• sweet green pepper (or bell pepper), chopped (optional)
• squash, chopped (optional)
• one cup peanut butter (preferably natural and unsweetened) -- or make your own peanut paste by roasting peanuts, removing the shells and skins, and grinding, mashing, or mincing them, then simmer them in a saucepan with a cup of water

What you do

• If using sweet potatoes or yams:
  Boil or steam them until they begin to become tender.
• In a large pot or dutch oven fry the meat in hot oil, until browned. Add salt and pepper. Reduce heat, add a cup of water or chicken broth and simmer.
• Heat oil in a skillet. Fry the tomatoes, onions, garlic, chile peppers over high heat. Add spices. Add the optional vegetables, sweet potatoes or yams, and/or dried shrimp or prawns. Reduce heat and stir in peanut butter and a bit of water or broth. Stir until smooth.
• Add the tomato-onion-peanut mixture to the simmering meat. Stir throughly and continue to simmer until the meat is cooked and the vegetables are tender.
• Serve with boiled Rice and as many garnishes as possible:
  • hard-boiled eggs, peeled (everyone must have a hard-boiled egg); these are sometimes added to the pot and cooked with the stew a few minutes before serving
  • sliced boiled yam or sweet potato
  • breadcrumbs or croutons
  • sliced fruit: such as banana, mango, orange, papaya, pineapple, etc.
  • shredded lettuce
  • parsley
  • chopped nuts
  • shredded coconut
  • sliced tomato
  • sliced onion: raw or fried
  • chile peppers
  • chutney
  • African Hot Sauce
  • salt, black pepper, red pepper
• Serve Ginger Beer or Green Tea with Mint with or after the meal.
• Follow with Fruit Salad.

This dish also can be made without the meat. Use sweet potatoes and as many of the optional vegetables as possible for the vegetarian version.

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