You’re in for a treat with this one. This West African Peanut Stew (Maafe) is one of the most incredible one-pot meals I could possibly imagine making – with toasty peanuts, greens, beans, sweet potatoes, and flavorful aromatics, this iconic Senegalese-style stew is beloved worldwide for very good reason. While I have made a few simple swaps (explained below) to make this a doable 30-minute West African Peanut Stew recipe, I want to make sure we honor the authentic version, which is fascinating to learn about, and I encourage you to do so.
Read on to learn just a little bit about the origins and makeup of this truly special dish, as well as some additional resources you can check out, to further expand your knowledge of West African cooking.
This peanut stew has a similar flavor and ingredients profile, but it originated from the Mandinka and Bambara people of Mali. A huge reason for its popularity throughout Africa is due to the cultivation of groundnut — or peanuts — throughout the continent during the colonial period.
Some Like it Hot … and Some, Not
West African Peanut Stews are traditionally served nice and spicy, with chile de arbol or scotch bonnet peppers being used to bring the heat. If your own heat tolerance isn’t so high, you can substitute a milder pepper, such as a jalapeno, or even just a pinch of cayenne will help bring some spiciness to the dish, without being overwhelmingly so.
Or, you can omit the peppers altogether. I made this for my kids, so I had to forgo the authentic spice level in my version, so, just use the amount of spice with which you are comfortable. I’d hate for you to be dissuaded from trying this incredible dish for fear that it would be too spicy – you can control that!
What ingredients are in Authentic West African Peanut Stew?
Again, the specific cast of characters varies from one location to the next, as is true with so many of the world’s iconic dishes, from Shrimp and Grits in the American South and Filipino Chicken Adobo, to Hungarian Chicken Paprikash.
While maafe is a staple food in West Africa, the version I’m sharing here today is specifically reflective of the Senegalese variety, containing sweet potatoes, meat, aromatics, stock, peanuts, and peanut butter (you could process fresh peanuts until a paste forms, and use that as it would be more authentic). Traditionally, green cabbage is cooked into the stew, but you will also see hearty, darker greens used in some recipes for Maafe, so I say go with whichever you prefer.
The list of ingredients often extends to okra, tomatoes, spicy chiles, and other thoughtful additions to help cut the stew’s indisputable richness. It is, however, the ubiquitous peanut that gives this gorgeous dish its key earthy character and rich, creamy texture.
To keep things simple and weeknight friendly, I’ve written the recipe with boneless, skinless chicken thighs, however traditionally, you would see bone-in, skin-on meat that would be coated in a spice mixture and allowed to essentially marinate in that, prior to cooking.
Kardea Brown’s West African Peanut Stew | Delicious Miss Brown | Food Network
FAQ
What is the history of African peanut stew?
Are peanuts originally from Africa?
Where does Mafe originate from?
What countries eat peanut soup?
Why is it called African peanut stew?
This stew is called African peanut stew because the stew is native to the West Africa region. These countries have different versions of African peanut stew, but they have the same ingredients in common – peanut butter, oil, tomatoes, meat or chicken, and spices. How many calories are in a bowl of peanut soup?
What is African chicken peanut stew?
African chicken peanut stew is a delicious and versatile traditional dish enjoyed by many Africans all over the world. This hearty stew is made from simple ingredients cooked together to entice your senses and please your belly! Wash and pat dry the chicken. Mix some salt and pepper in a small bowl, then rub it on both sides of each chicken part.
How to make African peanut stew?
Once you season to taste with salt, add harissa or cayenne pepper and top with lime juice, peanuts and cilantro, then all the flavors will really pop. This African Peanut Stew is fabulous as written or feel free to mix it up with different vegetables, protein, etc. etc. Swap peanut butter.
How spicy is West African peanut stew?
* Traditional West African peanut stew is VERY spicy, adjust peppers to your taste. The order of peppers listed above are from least hot (jalapeno) to most hot (habanero). Be careful when cutting hot peppers, the oils of these peppers will stay on your fingers so don’t rub your eyes.