Hkatenkwan - Ghanaian Peanut Soup

Ingredients

• 2 cups (470ml) unsalted peanuts, roasted and ground 2 cups (470ml) unsalted peanuts, roasted and ground
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-inch piece ginger, grated 1-inch piece ginger, grated
• 2 tomatoes, diced 2 tomatoes, diced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1-2 chili peppers, finely chopped (adjust according to spice preference) 1-2 chili peppers, finely chopped (adjust according to spice preference)
• 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth 4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth
• 2 cups (470ml) water 2 cups (470ml) water
• 2 cups (60g) spinach leaves, chopped 2 cups (60g) spinach leaves, chopped
• Salt, to taste Salt, to taste
• Ground black pepper, to taste Ground black pepper, to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 380 kcal / 1590 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 26g, 4g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 28g, 8g
• Protein: 14g
• Fiber: 6g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. 2.
   Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent.
3. 3.
   Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and chopped chili peppers. Cook for a few minutes until the tomatoes soften.
4. 4.
   Add the ground peanuts to the pot and mix well with the tomato mixture.
5. 5.
   Pour in the vegetable broth and water. Stir to combine all the ingredients.
6. 6.
   Add the cubed sweet potatoes to the pot and season with salt and ground black pepper.
7. 7.
   Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 30 minutes or until the sweet potatoes are tender.
8. 8.
   Stir in the chopped spinach leaves and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
9. 9.
   Adjust the seasoning if needed.
10. 10.
    Serve the Hkatenkwan hot with a side of your choice.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Peanuts — Make sure to roast the peanuts before grinding them to enhance their flavor. Be cautious of any peanut allergies when serving.

Tips & Tricks

• For a creamier texture, you can blend a portion of the soup before adding the spinach.
• Adjust the spiciness by adding more or fewer chili peppers according to your preference.
• Serve the Hkatenkwan with a side of steamed rice or traditional Ghanaian fufu for a complete meal.
• Garnish with chopped peanuts and fresh cilantro for added flavor and presentation.
• Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of water if needed.

Serving advice

Serve the Hkatenkwan hot in bowls, accompanied by your choice of side dish.

Presentation advice

Garnish each bowl of Hkatenkwan with a sprinkle of chopped peanuts and a sprig of fresh cilantro. The vibrant colors of the sweet potatoes and spinach will make the dish visually appealing.