West African Peanut Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 cup (240g) roasted peanuts 1 cup (240g) roasted peanuts
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) vegetable oil 2 tablespoons (30ml) vegetable oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1-inch piece of ginger, grated 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
• 2 tomatoes, diced 2 tomatoes, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup (240ml) vegetable broth 1 cup (240ml) vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon (5g) chili powder 1 teaspoon (5g) chili powder
• 1 teaspoon (5g) paprika 1 teaspoon (5g) paprika
• 1 teaspoon (5g) cumin 1 teaspoon (5g) cumin
• 1 teaspoon (5g) coriander 1 teaspoon (5g) coriander
• Salt, to taste Salt, to taste
• 1 cup (240ml) coconut milk 1 cup (240ml) coconut milk
• 2 cups (60g) spinach leaves, chopped 2 cups (60g) spinach leaves, chopped
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 28g, 10g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 18g, 6g
• Protein: 10g
• Fiber: 5g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a blender or food processor, grind the roasted peanuts until they form a smooth paste. Set aside.
2. 2.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until translucent.
3. 3.
   Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the saucepan and cook for another minute, until fragrant.
4. 4.
   Stir in the diced tomatoes and bell pepper, and cook until they start to soften.
5. 5.
   Add the vegetable broth, chili powder, paprika, cumin, coriander, and salt. Stir well to combine.
6. 6.
   Reduce the heat to low and simmer the sauce for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
7. 7.
   Stir in the ground peanuts and coconut milk, and continue to simmer for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
8. 8.
   Add the chopped spinach leaves and cook until wilted.
9. 9.
   Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
10. 10.
    Serve the West African Peanut Sauce over rice or with your choice of protein. Garnish with fresh cilantro.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Peanuts — Make sure to use roasted peanuts for a richer flavor. If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can use peanut butter instead.
• Coconut milk — Use full-fat coconut milk for a creamier texture. Light coconut milk may result in a thinner sauce.

Tips & Tricks

• For a spicier sauce, add more chili powder or include a diced chili pepper.
• If you prefer a chunkier sauce, reserve some chopped peanuts to sprinkle on top before serving.
• To make the sauce creamier, you can add a tablespoon of peanut butter during the simmering process.
• Adjust the consistency of the sauce by adding more vegetable broth if it becomes too thick.
• Leftover sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Serving advice

Serve the West African Peanut Sauce over steamed rice or with traditional West African staples like fufu or banku. It pairs well with grilled chicken, beef, or tofu. Garnish with fresh cilantro for added freshness and color.

Presentation advice

When serving the West African Peanut Sauce, drizzle a swirl of coconut milk on top for an attractive presentation. Sprinkle some chopped peanuts and cilantro leaves as a garnish to add texture and visual appeal.