Ghanaian Vegan Peanut Soup Recipes

WEST AFRICAN PEANUT STEW (VEGAN)

Steps:

• In a large pot, heat oil or water over medium heat, add the onion, garlic, ginger, and chili peppers and saute for 5 minutes stirring frequently.
• Add the sweet potatoes, tomatoes, spices and liquids, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, or until sweet potatoes are fork tender.
• Turn off heat and stir in the peanut butter, and finish with the spinach and lemon juice. Soup will thicken upon cooling. Season with salt & pepper to taste.
• Serves 4 - 6
• Serve in individual bowls with optional grain of choice (this cilantro lime rice would be great) and garnish with cilantro and peanuts. Soup pairs wonderfully with naan bread for soaking and dipping!
• Leftovers will keep for 5 days in a covered container in the refrigerator. To store longer, keep in the freezer for up to 2 months in freezer friendly containers or baggies.

VEGETARIAN PEANUT SOUP

Steps:

• Combine the broth and water in a medium Dutch oven or stock pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then add the onion, ginger, garlic and salt. Cook on medium-low heat for 20 minutes.
• In a medium-sized, heat-safe mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter and tomato paste, then transfer 1 to 2 cups of the hot stock to the bowl. Whisk the mixture together until smooth, then pour the peanut mixture back into the soup and mix well. Stir in the collard greens and season the soup with hot sauce to taste.
• Simmer for about 15 more minutes on medium-low heat, stirring often. Season with additional salt or hot sauce if desired. Serve over cooked brown rice if you'd like, and top with a sprinkle of chopped peanuts.

VEGAN WEST AFRICAN PEANUT SOUP

Steps:

• Warm the oil in a large pot. When shimmering, add the onion, garlic, ginger, and chilis with a pinch of salt, and cook on medium heat until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the paprika, coriander, and pepper, and stir. Cook for about 60 seconds until fragrant.
• Add the cubed sweet potato, tomatoes and tomato paste, and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the tomatoes are starting to break down and release their juices.
• Add the broth and peanut butter, stir well, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and add the bay leaves, rosemary and thyme sprigs, and collard greens. Partially cover and cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the collards are tender and the sweet potato is soft. Stir in half of the vinegar.
• Remove the bay leaves and fresh herb sprigs. Season to taste with salt (this dish generally needs a lot) and pepper, and add the rest of the vinegar if more acidity is needed. Serve with chopped fresh cilantro or parsley, and accompanying starch of choice such as potatoes or rice.

GHANA PEANUT SOUP (NKATENKWAN)

Steps:

• Place the whole onion, pepper, tomatoes and chicken pieces in the pot and top with the stock. Cover, bring to the boil and reduce to simmer for 15 minutes till vegetables are soft and tender. Remove the vegetables.
• Blend the vegetables and ginger in a food processor and return to the soup. Bring to the boil then reduce to simmer while you make the peanut butter sauce. If you are using boiler chicken, it can be quite tough, so it may need extra time cooking.
• Meanwhile, make the peanut butter sauce. There are different ways of doing this, I have opted to go for what is easier for me. Scoop the desired amount of peanut butter into a saucepan and put on gentle heat with constant stirring, peanut butter burns easily.
• Add water a little at a time. This can be quite tricky as the water instantly changes the runny peanut butter properties. I would say it is a similar experience to white sauce, when the milk is added to the flour and butter mixture. Once a smooth sauce is achieved, allow to simmer. You will find the peanut oil begins to separate from the peanut butter. When this happens, you can add the peanut butter sauce to the rest of the soup and simmer for 20 minutes till oil rises to the surface of the soup.
• Check seasoning to your taste. Serve with your favourite carbs such as boiled sliced yam, potatoes or rice.