Mafe (West African Peanut Stew)

🛒 Ingredients

• Beef stew meat, cubed 150 g · 350 kcal
• Vegetable oil 5 g · 45 kcal
• Onion 70 g · 28 kcal
• Garlic cloves 10 g · 15 kcal
• Fresh ginger 5 g · 4 kcal
• Tomato paste 30 g · 24 kcal
• Natural peanut butter, unsweetened 60 g · 360 kcal
• Carrots, chopped 80 g · 33 kcal
• Potatoes, peeled and cubed 100 g · 77 kcal
• Sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed 100 g · 86 kcal
• Scotch Bonnet pepper (whole) 5 g · 2 kcal

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add beef cubes and sear them on all sides until well browned; remove beef and set aside.
2. In the same pot, add chopped onion, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes until softened and fragrant.
3. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until it darkens slightly. Return the browned beef to the pot.
4. Add enough water (or beef broth) to just cover the meat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 60 minutes.
5. After 60 minutes, stir in the natural peanut butter until it is fully dissolved and incorporated into the stew, creating a rich, creamy sauce. Ensure no lumps remain.
6. Add the chopped carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and the whole Scotch Bonnet pepper (do not cut it if you prefer mild heat). Stir gently.
7. Cover and continue to simmer for another 40 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and the beef is very soft. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
8. Serve the Mafe hot, traditionally with rice. Discard the whole Scotch Bonnet pepper before serving if you wish.