African Peanut Soup

African Peanut Soup

This soup is famous all over Western and Northern Africa. In all the countries, every family has their own family secret recipe, which they claim to be The Original one. But there are ones which are vegetarian, Non vegetarian, Chunky, smooth, With greens, without greens, cooked with water or Chicken stock. Well I could just go on and on. But here I'm posting a version which I liked best out of about six different versions I picked up from different cookery shows, cook books or from net. I also like the smooth version made with Peanut butter and Scotch Bonnet Pepper. But this is a real winner. On a tiring mid week, this can bring a world of soul warming feeling.

Preparation Time : 15 minutes
Cooking Time      :  55 minutes
Difficulty              :  Easy
Serves                  :  4 - 6

Ingredients :

2 tablespoons Olive Oil

2 medium Onions, chopped

2 large Red Bell Peppers, chopped

4 cloves Garlic, minced

400 grams can of crushed Tomatoes, with liquid (or fresh Tomatoes, Blanched, peeled and Cubed)

8 cups Vegetable Broth or Stock

1/4 teaspoon Pepper

1/4 teaspoon Chili Powder (optional)

2/3 cup Extra Crunchy Peanut Butter

1/2 cup uncooked Brown Rice

 Some Crushed peanut and chopped Cilantro/Coriander leaves to serve.

 

 Method :

  1) Heat oil in a large stock pot over medium high heat.

 

  2) Cook onions and bell peppers until lightly browned and tender.

 

  3) Stir in garlic when the onions are almost done to prevent burning.

 

  4) Stir in tomatoes, vegetable stock, pepper, and chili powder.

 

  5) Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes.

 

  6) Stir in rice, cover, and simmer another fifteen minutes or until rice is tender.

 

  7) Stir in peanut butter until well blended, and it is ready to serve.

 

  8) Check the seasonings, adjust if required, pour in a soup bowl and sprinkle with some crushed Peanuts and Cilantro/Coriander leaves and serve hot.

 

 Crunchy Peanut Butter

 

 Peanuts, to be Crushed