Maffé (West African Peanut Stew) II
Mafe is a spicy and delicious African peanut stew. It is eaten throughout Africa, especially by the people of Ivory Coast.
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 onions, neatly minced
3 garlic cloves, neatly minced
1½ teaspoons grated ginger
2 cups crushed tomatoes
4 chicken flavour bouillon cubes, crumbled
1 cup peanut butter
4 African eggplants, peeled and chopped
2 sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
1 medium size green cabbage, washed and chopped
4 medium size carrots, washed and diced
3 medium size turnips, washed and chopped
2 medium size habanero chile peppers
15 medium size okra, washed, trimmed, and chopped
Salt to taste
Black pepper to taste
Chopped peanuts (optional)
In a large pot, heat the oil over medium heat.
Add the onions, garlic, grated ginger. Cook, stirring, for about 5 minutes until the onions become translucent.
5 minutes
Add the tomato paste, bouillon cubes, and 6 cups (about 1.5 litres) hot water. Simmer over low heat for 10 minutes.
10 minutes
Stir in the peanut butter until fully incorporated. Add the eggplant, sweet potatoes, green cabbage, carrots, turnips, and habanero, then stir carefully to avoid fully crushing the habanero.
Cover and cook for about an hour over low heat until thickened.
Stir in the okra, then season with salt and black pepper to your desired taste. Cook for about 30 minutes until the vegetables become soft.
30 minutes
Remove the chilli pepper and sprinkle it with peanut butter if you will like and if not leave it like that.
Serve hot.