African Peanut & Okra Soup is a profoundly flavorful and lush dish hailing from countries across West and Central Africa. Presented as a rich main course, this soup celebrates the delicious marriage of peanut paste and okra in a creamy broth, with tender chicken complemented by aromatic spices. Perfect when accompanied by Kouacoco, a traditional taro root side dish, this soup is both hearty and comforting.
Ingredients
🍗 1 kg (2.2 lbs) chicken, cut into pieces
🥜 300 g (10 oz) peanut paste
🧅 1 large onion, sliced
🧄 3 cloves garlic, chopped
🌱 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
🍅 2 tbsp tomato puree
🌿 50 g (2 oz) okra, crushed
🍲 2 chicken stock (either powdered or bouillon cubes)
💧 1 liter water
🧂 Salt, quantity to taste
🌶️ Pepper, quantity to taste
🥄 Small amount of cooking oil, for frying
Instructions
1- Season the Chicken:
- Generously season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
2- Brown the Chicken:
- In a large non-stick frying pan, heat a small amount of oil over medium heat.
- Brown the seasoned chicken pieces on all sides until golden. Remove and set aside.
3- Sauté Aromatics:
- In the same frying pan, add chopped garlic and sliced onion. Fry until onions are golden and caramelized.
4- Prepare the Base:
- Add tomato puree, grated ginger, and peanut paste to the onion mixture. Stir and fry for 1 to 2 minutes to meld flavors.
5- Create the Sauce:
- Add 1 liter of water, stirring thoroughly to dissolve the peanut paste and form a smooth light brown sauce.
6- Simmer the Chicken:
- Return browned chicken pieces to the pan, ensuring they are fully immersed in the sauce. Cover with a lid.
- Allow to cook for 30 minutes, occasionally stirring to prevent the sauce from sticking.
7- Incorporate Okra and Stock:
- After 30 minutes, add crushed okra and chicken stock to the soup. Stir well and adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.
8- Final Simmer:
- Let the soup simmer uncovered for an additional 7 to 10 minutes until it reaches the desired consistency.
9- Serve:
- Serve the soup hot, ideally with a side of Kouacoco.
Prep Time: Not specified
Cook Time: 37-40 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 37-40 minutes
Servings: Not specified
Equipment:
- 🍳 Large non-stick frying pan (Brand: Not visible)
- 🔥 Electric cooktop (Brand: "JENN-AIR" partially visible)
- 🥄 Wooden cooking spoon
- ⛑️ Glass lid with a metal rim and handle
- 🛢️ Stainless steel peppermill
- 🧂 Glass salt shaker
Cooking Tips
- Preventing Sticking: Lift the lid slightly and stir occasionally during simmering to prevent sticking, especially since peanut-based sauces can thicken rapidly.
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