Sweet Potato and Peanut Stew

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup peanut oil
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 red pepper or green pepper, chopped
• 4-5 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled & cut into 1 inch chunks

• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• salt & pepper
• 1 teaspoon peanut oil (optional)
• 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey (optional)
• 2 small zucchini, trimmed and sliced
• 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
• hot cooked rice or couscous (optional)

Directions

1. 1

   Heat ¼ cup peanut oil over medium heat in 5 qt pan.

2. 2

   Add red pepper flakes, onion, pepper, and garlic.

3. 3

   Cook until vegetables are tender.

4. 4

   Add ginger, chili powder, and cumin, cook for 1 minute.

5. 5

   Add sweet potatoes, tomato paste, salt& pepper.

6. 6

   Add enough water to barely cover vegetables and mix well.

7. 7

   Bring to a boil, lower heat, cover and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

8. 8

   In a separate pan, heat remaining peanut oil over medium heat.

9. 9

   Add ground beef or turkey, sautee until brown.

10. 10

    Drain, and transfer to plate until stew is done, then mix in with stew.

11. 11

    Add zucchini to stew and cook for another 15 minutes.

12. 12

    Place peanut butter in a small bowl, stir in 1 cup of the stewing mixture until smooth.

13. 13

    Add peanut butter mixture to the stew.

14. 14

    Mix well and cook stew another 15 minutes.

15. 15

    Re-season to taste.

16. 16

    Serve with hot cooked rice or couscous.