Groundnut is the common African word for peanut, and Groundnut Stew or Groundnut Chop is one of many Chop dishes; the Western African version of the Chicken in Peanut-Tomato Sauce eaten all over sub-Saharan Africa. The Western African style is usually more elaborate, with more ingredients and garnishes. Palm-Oil Chop is similar to Groundnut Stew: the main difference is that peanuts (or peanut butter) in Groundnut Stew replace the palm nuts (or canned palm soup base) and in Palm-Oil Chop.

Groundnut Stew Recipe

The Western African stew is elaborate, with many ingredients and garnishes.

Prep Time30 minsCook Time1 hrTotal Time1 hr 30 minsYields6 Servings

Ingredients

 2 sweet potatoes, or a similar amount of yams, peeled and cut into cubes (optional)
 peanut oil (or other cooking oil)
 4 chicken, cut into large bite-sized pieces (you can also use equal parts chicken and beef or stew meat)
 salt and black pepper (to taste)
 4 cups chicken broth or chicken stock (optional)
 3 tomatoes, chopped (or canned tomatoes, or tomato sauce or tomato paste)
 2 onions, chopped very fine
 1 garlic clove, minced (optional)
 2 chile peppers, chopped (optional)
 ½ tsp ground ginger or coriander
 thyme or a bay leaf
 ¼ cup dried shrimp or dried prawns (optional)
 1 small eggplant (aubergine, or guinea squash), cubed (optional)
 12 okra, chopped (optional)
 canned beans or canned corn (optional)
 1 sweet green pepper (or bell pepper), chopped (optional)
 1 small squash, chopped (optional)
 1 cup peanut butter (preferably natural and unsweetened) — or — make your own peanut paste by roasting peanuts, removing the shells and skins, and grinding, mashing, or mincing them, then simmer them in a saucepan with a cup of water

Instructions

1

If using sweet potatoes or yams:
Boil or steam them until they begin to become tender.

2

In a large pot or dutch oven fry the meat in hot oil, until browned. Add salt and pepper. Reduce heat, add a cup of water or chicken broth and simmer.

3

Heat oil in a skillet. Fry the tomatoes, onions, garlic, chile peppers over high heat. Add spices. Add the optional vegetables, sweet potatoes or yams, and/or dried shrimp or prawns. Reduce heat and stir in peanut butter and a bit of water or broth. Stir until smooth.

4

Add the tomato-onion-peanut mixture to the simmering meat. Stir throughly and continue to simmer until the meat is cooked and the vegetables are tender.

Ingredients

 2 sweet potatoes, or a similar amount of yams, peeled and cut into cubes (optional)
 peanut oil (or other cooking oil)
 4 chicken, cut into large bite-sized pieces (you can also use equal parts chicken and beef or stew meat)
 salt and black pepper (to taste)
 4 cups chicken broth or chicken stock (optional)
 3 tomatoes, chopped (or canned tomatoes, or tomato sauce or tomato paste)
 2 onions, chopped very fine
 1 garlic clove, minced (optional)
 2 chile peppers, chopped (optional)
 ½ tsp ground ginger or coriander
 thyme or a bay leaf
 ¼ cup dried shrimp or dried prawns (optional)
 1 small eggplant (aubergine, or guinea squash), cubed (optional)
 12 okra, chopped (optional)
 canned beans or canned corn (optional)
 1 sweet green pepper (or bell pepper), chopped (optional)
 1 small squash, chopped (optional)
 1 cup peanut butter (preferably natural and unsweetened) — or — make your own peanut paste by roasting peanuts, removing the shells and skins, and grinding, mashing, or mincing them, then simmer them in a saucepan with a cup of water

Directions

1

If using sweet potatoes or yams:
Boil or steam them until they begin to become tender.

2

In a large pot or dutch oven fry the meat in hot oil, until browned. Add salt and pepper. Reduce heat, add a cup of water or chicken broth and simmer.

3

Heat oil in a skillet. Fry the tomatoes, onions, garlic, chile peppers over high heat. Add spices. Add the optional vegetables, sweet potatoes or yams, and/or dried shrimp or prawns. Reduce heat and stir in peanut butter and a bit of water or broth. Stir until smooth.

4

Add the tomato-onion-peanut mixture to the simmering meat. Stir throughly and continue to simmer until the meat is cooked and the vegetables are tender.

Groundnut Stew
IngredientsDirections

Serve with boiled Rice and as many garnishes as possible:

  • hard-boiled eggs, peeled (everyone must have a hard-boiled egg); these are sometimes added to the pot and cooked with the stew a few minutes before serving
  • sliced boiled yam or sweet potato
  • breadcrumbs or croutons
  • sliced fruit: such as banana, mango, orange, papaya, pineapple, etc.
  • shredded lettuce
  • parsley
  • chopped nuts
  • shredded coconut
  • sliced tomato
  • sliced onion: raw or fried
  • chile peppers
  • chutney
  • African Hot Sauce
  • salt, black pepper, red pepper

Serve Ginger Beer or Green Tea with Mint with or after the meal. Follow with Fruit Salad.

This dish also can be made without the meat. Use sweet potatoes and as many of the optional vegetables as possible for the vegetarian version.