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African Peanut Butter Stew

4.0

(1)

Once, when I was visiting Paris, my friend Emile from Gabon, Africa, made this dish for me. I was amazed that cooking with peanut butter could be so good.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 2

Ingredients

Canola oil spray or 2 teaspoons peanut oil
1/2 medium onion, diced
3/4 cup white rice
3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon broth (chicken or vegetable) or water
1/2 to 3/4 pound chicken breasts or thighs
1/2 red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and sliced
2/3 cup milk (skim is okay) or water
2 to 4 garlic cloves, minced or crushed
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
Sea salt
3 tablespoons peanut butter, creamy or chunky
3 or 4 tomatoes, diced, or one 14-ounce can diced, drained
1/2 sweet potato, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
1 handful fresh spinach, or about 5 ounces frozen

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat the oven to 450°F.

    Step 2

    Spray the inside and lid of a cast-iron Dutch oven with canola oil or wipe with peanut oil.

    Step 3

    Scatter the onion in the pot.

    Step 4

    Rinse the rice in a strainer under cold water until the water runs clear. Tip the rice into the pot, add the liquid, and stir to make an even layer.

    Step 5

    Place the chicken on the rice. Add the bell pepper.

    Step 6

    In a measuring cup, whisk the milk, garlic, cayenne, salt, and peanut butter until the peanut butter dissolves. Pour over the chicken.

    Step 7

    Layer in the tomatoes, sweet potato, and spinach.

    Step 8

    Cover and bake for 45 minutes, or until 3 minutes after the aroma of a fully cooked meal escapes the oven. Serve immediately.

  2. variations

    Step 9

    Use coconut milk instead of milk. Substituting soy or rice milk is also always acceptable in a Glorious One-Pot Meal.

    Step 10

    Substitute a minced jalapeño chile instead of the cayenne. Or use four shakes of red pepper flakes.

    Step 11

    Shrimp and/or scallops instead of, or along with, the chicken taste great, too. Or try tofu (use extra-firm cubes).

    Step 12

    Use sweet or white potatoes instead of rice.

  3. nutrition information

    Step 13

    Calories: 426

    Step 14

    Protein: 27g

    Step 15

    Carbohydrates: 33g

    Step 16

    Fat: 15g

    Step 17

    Cholesterol: 39mg

    Step 18

    Sodium: 626mg

    Step 19

    Fiber: 9g

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