Maafe (Peanut Stew)

Name: Maafe (Peanut Stew)
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 85 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: West African
Ingredients: 4 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces (thighs and drumsticks); 1 cup natural creamy peanut butter; 1/4 cup tomato paste; 2 yellow onion, finely diced; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated; 3 tbsp neutral oil; 3 cups low-sodium chicken stock; 2 sweet potato, 1-inch cubes; 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper; 1.5 tsp kosher salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground; 1/3 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped

The classic Senegalese and Malian groundnut stew: bone-in chicken braised in a deep, savory peanut sauce built with tomato paste, onion, garlic, and warm spices. Thick, rich, and deeply comforting, it is served over rice and made to feed a crowd.

85 minMediumServes 6560 cal/serving

West AfricanDinnerStovetopStandardHigh ProteinDairy-FreeGluten-FreeEgg-FreeCorn-Free

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Ingredients

4 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces (thighs and drumsticks)
1 cup natural creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup tomato paste
2 yellow onion, finely diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
3 tbsp neutral oil
3 cups low-sodium chicken stock
2 sweet potato, 1-inch cubes
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1.5 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
1/3 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped

Instructions

1

Pat 4 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces (thighs and drumsticks) dry and season all over with 1.5 tsp kosher salt and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper.
2

Heat 3 tbsp neutral oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken in batches, skin side down first, until deep golden brown, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
3

Reduce heat to medium. Add 2 finely diced yellow onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp grated fresh ginger and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
4

Add 1/4 cup tomato paste and stir, cooking for 2 minutes until it darkens slightly.
5

Whisk 1 cup natural creamy peanut butter into 3 cups low-sodium chicken stock until smooth, then pour into the pot. Add 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper and stir to combine.
6

Return the seared chicken to the pot and nestle in 2 1-inch cubes sweet potato. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 35-40 minutes, until the sweet potato is fork-tender and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
7

Uncover and simmer 5 more minutes to thicken the sauce if desired. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt. Garnish with 1/3 cup roughly chopped fresh cilantro and serve over steamed rice.

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Questions

How much time should I plan for Maafe (Peanut Stew)?

As written, 85 minutes: 25 of prep and 60 of cooking. The longest single stretch is step 6 (40 minutes): "Cover and simmer for 35-40 minutes, until the sweet potato is fork-tender and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C)."

What internal temperature should Maafe (Peanut Stew) reach?

For Maafe (Peanut Stew), the target internal temperature is 165 F (about 75 C), given in step 6. A probe thermometer removes the guesswork.

Can I skip the searing in Maafe (Peanut Stew)?

Step 2 reads: "Sear the chicken in batches, skin side down first, until deep golden brown, about 4-5 minutes per side." You can, but you give up flavor. The browning in step 2 builds the savory base the rest of the dish is seasoned against. Give the pieces room so the pan stays hot.

Can I make Maafe (Peanut Stew) less spicy?

Yes. The heat in Maafe (Peanut Stew) comes from 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper. For a milder plate, halve the cayenne; nothing else in the method changes.

Is Maafe (Peanut Stew) gluten-free?

Yes. As written, nothing in the ingredient list for Maafe (Peanut Stew) is wheat, barley or rye. Gluten hides in packaged goods, so read the label on the stock.

How much protein is in Maafe (Peanut Stew)?

One serving (the recipe makes 6) has 48 g of protein in about 560 calories, alongside 24 g carbohydrate and 28 g fat, plus 3 g fiber and 720 mg sodium. The figures are estimates computed from the ingredient list. More like it: the high-protein dinner collection.

Can I freeze Maafe (Peanut Stew)?

It is not a good candidate. Refrigerate what is left of Maafe (Peanut Stew) within two hours and eat it within three days. Reheat gently on the stovetop. Potatoes turn grainy in the freezer, so keep this one in the refrigerator.

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