Tuo Zaafi with Spicy Peanut Soup

Ingredients

• For the rice balls: For the rice balls:
• 2 cups (400g) cooked rice 2 cups (400g) cooked rice
• Water, as needed Water, as needed
• For the peanut soup: For the peanut soup:
• 1 cup (250g) ground peanuts 1 cup (250g) ground peanuts
• 2 tomatoes, diced 2 tomatoes, diced
• 1 onion, chopped 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 chili peppers, finely chopped 2 chili peppers, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• Salt, to taste Salt, to taste
• Optional protein additions: Optional protein additions:
• 1 pound (450g) beef, goat, or fish 1 pound (450g) beef, goat, or fish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 25g, 4g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 45g, 8g
• Protein: 15g
• Fiber: 6g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large bowl, mash the cooked rice until it forms a smooth and elastic dough. Add water gradually if needed to achieve the desired consistency.
2. 2.
   Wet your hands with water and shape the rice dough into small balls. Set aside.
3. 3.
   In a blender or food processor, blend the ground peanuts until smooth. Set aside.
4. 4.
   In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and minced garlic, and sauté until golden brown.
5. 5.
   Add the diced tomatoes and chili peppers to the pot, and cook until the tomatoes are soft and pulpy.
6. 6.
   Stir in the ground peanuts, ginger, cumin, and salt. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
7. 7.
   If using protein additions, add them to the pot and cook until fully cooked through.
8. 8.
   Gradually add water to the pot, stirring continuously, until the soup reaches your desired consistency. Simmer for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
9. 9.
   In a separate pot, bring water to a boil. Add the rice balls and cook for about 10-15 minutes, or until they float to the surface.
10. 10.
    Serve the rice balls in bowls and pour the peanut soup over them. Garnish with additional chili peppers if desired.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Rice balls — Ensure that the cooked rice is slightly sticky to achieve the right texture for the rice balls. If the rice is too dry, add a little water while mashing.
• Ground peanuts — If you prefer a smoother soup, you can strain the blended peanuts through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any remaining solids.
• Chili peppers — Adjust the amount of chili peppers according to your spice preference. For a milder version, remove the seeds before chopping.

Tips & Tricks

• To achieve a velvety smooth peanut soup, use a high-quality blender or food processor to grind the peanuts.
• For a richer flavor, roast the ground peanuts in a dry pan before blending them.
• If you prefer a thicker soup, reduce the amount of water added to the pot.
• Experiment with different protein options such as beef, goat, or fish to add variety to the dish.
• Serve Tuo Zaafi with a side of traditional Ghanaian condiments like shito (spicy black pepper sauce) or kpakpo shito (spicy green pepper sauce).

Serving advice

Serve Tuo Zaafi hot in individual bowls, allowing each person to enjoy the combination of rice balls and peanut soup. Provide spoons for scooping up the soup and encourage guests to break the rice balls with their hands for a more authentic experience.

Presentation advice

For an appealing presentation, place the rice balls at the bottom of the bowl and pour the peanut soup over them. Garnish with fresh cilantro or chopped peanuts for added visual appeal.