Spicy African Stew

Warm, comforting, and brimming with rich, bold flavors, this Spicy African Stew is a celebration of classic African-inspired ingredients and spices. Perfect for cozy weeknight dinners, this one-pot dish combines creamy peanut butter, tender sweet potatoes, hearty chickpeas, and a medley of warming spices like smoked paprika, cumin, and cayenne pepper. Fresh spinach and vibrant red bell peppers add a pop of color and nutrition, while the squeeze of lime and garnish of chopped cilantro brighten every bite. This plant-based stew is not only deeply satisfying and nourishing but also easy to prepare in under an hour. Serve this gluten-free and vegan-friendly dish with crusty bread or over rice for a complete, flavor-packed meal that's sure to impress.

Nutriscore Rating: 87/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 pieces garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
• 1 large red bell pepper, diced
• 2 medium carrots, sliced
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 400 grams crushed tomatoes
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup peanut butter (natural, unsweetened)
• 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 400 grams chickpeas, cooked and drained
• 2 cups spinach leaves, fresh
• 0 to taste salt
• 0 to taste black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
• 4 pieces lime wedges (for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened and translucent.

Step 2

Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for another minute until fragrant.

Step 3

Add the red bell pepper and carrots, and sauté for 3-4 minutes to lightly soften them.

Step 4

Mix in the tomato paste, smoked paprika, ground cumin, ground coriander, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper, stirring for 1-2 minutes to toast the spices and combine the flavors.

Step 5

Pour the crushed tomatoes and vegetable broth into the pot. Stir well, then add the peanut butter and whisk it into the liquid until smooth and fully incorporated.

Step 6

Add the cubed sweet potatoes and bring the stew to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sweet potatoes are tender.

Step 7

Stir in the chickpeas and fresh spinach leaves, allowing the spinach to wilt for 2-3 minutes.

Step 8

Taste the stew and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.

Step 9

Serve the stew hot, garnished with fresh cilantro, and alongside lime wedges for squeezing over the top.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2284.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3000.2

Total Fat 164.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 21.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.1g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1504.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 303.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 77.0g	0%
Total Sugars 82.4g
Protein 120.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 757.7mg	0%
Iron 30.7mg	0%
Potassium 7081.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 46.7%

Protein: 15.2%

Carbs: 38.2%