Carla S African Groundnut Soup Recipes

CARLA'S AFRICAN GROUNDNUT SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• Heat large pot on high heat. Pour in peanut oil, and then add onions. Sauté for 4-5 minutes, then add garlic and ginger. Reduce heat to medium and continue to cook until soft and translucent, another 10 minutes.
• Sprinkle in half of spice mixture, salt to taste and stir until mixed well. Pour in crushed fire-roasted tomatoes, stock and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then simmer for at least 1 hour. Strain broth, then puree solids with 2-3 cups of broth until very smooth. Strain through fine strainer.
• While broth is simmering, reserve 2 sweet potatoes for garnish and dice.
• remaining potatoes into 1/4" pieces. Toss in peanut oil, salt and pepper, and roast in 425 degree oven until just tender. Set aside to cool.
• Place peanut butter into medium bowl and slowly whisk in 1-2 cups of broth until mixture is smooth. Pour mixture back into pot with broth.
• Toss together cooked beans, sweet potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, parsley and mint. Season with salt, spice mixture and lime zest to taste.
• In shallow bowl, pour broth, then spoon vegetable mixture into the center.
• Garnish with chopped peanuts, lime juice, lime salt (zest of 2 limes mixed with ¼ cup Malden sea salt), and sweet potato chips. (Cut whole sweet potatoes into ½" thick pieces. Use peeler to make thin ribbons. Fry in 300 degree canola oil. Salt to taste.).

WEST AFRICAN GROUNDNUT STEW

Steps:

• In a large heavy pot, heat oil.
• Roll chicken in flour and brown in oil with nutmeg and chili powder.
• When chicken is browned, add onions and garlic, tomato paste, water, hot sauce (if using) and salt.
• Stir well.
• Mix the boiling water with the peanut butter and add to pot.
• Simmer covered over low heat until tender, about 45-60 minutes.
• About halfway through cooking, add chopped vegetables.
• If stew is too watery, mix 2-3 tbsp of corn startch with cold water to make a thickening paste and add to stew.
• Serve over a bed of rice.

PEANUT (GROUNDNUT) SOUP

Steps:

• Blanch the tomatoes in boiling water, peel off the skin and blend the flesh to a smooth juice. If using canned tomatoes, blend.
• Put the peanut butter into a big bowl, add 3/4 pt. of the boiling water and use a wooden spoon or a blender to blend the peanut butter and water carefully together to form a creamy, smooth sauce.
• Mix together the tomatoes, peanut butter mixture, red chilies and mushrooms.
• Continue to simmer, stirring only occasionally to prevent the food sticking to the bottom of the pan. This is now the basic soup.
• Pour the rest of the boiling water into the soup and simmer slowly on medium heat for 20 mins or so.

GROUNDNUT SOUP

Steps:

• Put the peanuts and enough chicken stock to cover in an electric blender and blend on high speed to a smooth paste.
• Pour into a heavy saucepan, add the rest of the stock.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper and hot pepper sauce.
• Cook over low heat, stirring from time to time, for about 15 minutes.
• Stir in the cream and cook, stirring, until heated through.
• Stir in the Angostura bitters.
• A tablespoon of dry sherry or dry vermouth may be added to each serving.
• Garnish with croutons and serve hot or chill and serve sprinkled with chives.