West African-Style Peanut and Okra Stew

This West African-Style Peanut and Okra Stew recipe is a westernized version of a typical African dish. It's much tastier than it sounds—try it! I first made this stew as part of an “African feast” at my kids' school some years ago in conjunction with a class project. Privately, I doubted that any of the kids, then third and fourth graders, would eat this. I couldn’t have been more mistaken! The kids not only loved making it, but every last drop was scraped from the huge pot. Recipe adapted from The Vegetarian Family Cookbook. Photos by Hannah Kaminsky.

West African-Style Peanut and Okra Stew

Serves: 6 to 8

Ingredients

1 ½ tbsp olive oil
1 large red onion, chopped
3 to 4 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups white cabbage, shredded
2 medium-large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into ½-inch dice
1 (15–16 oz) can diced tomatoes, with liquid
1 tsp fresh ginger, or more to taste, grated
2 cups fresh okra, trimmed and sliced, or one 10-ounce package frozen sliced okra, thawed (see Note)
⅔ cup smooth natural peanut butter
cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or Sriracha sauce, to taste
salt to taste

Garnishes (optional):

chopped scallions
chopped peanuts

Instructions

Heat the oil in a soup pot or steep-sided stir-fry pan. Add the onion and garlic and sauté over medium heat until the onion is golden.
Add the cabbage, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, ginger, and 3 cups water. Bring to a simmer, then simmer gently, covered, until the sweet potatoes and cabbage are nearly tender, about 15 minutes.
Add the okra, then stir in the peanut butter, a little at a time, until it melts into the broth. Stir in the cayenne or red pepper flakes, then simmer gently, covered, for 10 minutes longer, or until all the vegetables are tender. Add a bit more water if needed for a moist—but not soupy—consistency.
Season with salt, then serve in bowls over hot cooked rice. If desired, garnish each serving with chopped scallions and/or chopped peanuts.

Note: Okra may not be everyone’s favorite vegetable, but in this dish it is very good. However, if you truly want to avoid it, substitute a 10-ounce package of frozen cut green beans (or fresh green beans if in season—about 2 cups green beans cut into 2-inch lengths) for results that are equally delectable, if a bit less authentic.

Nutrition information:
Calories: 219; Total fat: 11 g; Protein: 8 g; Fiber: 5.2 g; Carbs: 23 g; Sodium: 59 mg