Mafe (African Groundnut Stew)
Ingredients
2 tablespoons grapeseed or other high heat oil
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup sunflower butter (or traditional peanut butter)
1 ½ cups cold water
⅓ cup tomato paste
2 cups hot water
4 large sweet potatoes, diced
1 15oz. can chickpeas
2 bay leaves
3 sprigs fresh thyme sea salt and black pepper to taste
Directions
Heat the oil in a heavy saucepan, add the onion, and cook over medium heat until it is translucent. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant. Add the diced sweet potatoes to the pot. In a small bowl, mix the sunflower or peanut butter with the cold water. Pour over the sweet potatoes. Dilute the tomato paste with the hot water, pour the liquid over the stew, and stir well to make sure all the ingredients are well mixed. Add the remaining ingredients, lower the heat, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes until the sweet potatoes are tender. Mash the potatoes for a creamier stew, or leave as is for a chunky stew. Add the chickpeas, and season to taste. Cayenne pepper is delicious if desired as well. Remove the thyme sprigs and bay leaves. Serve hot over rice.