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Sweet Potato Stew

I like the combination of flavors with both sweet potato and carrots, but you could use only sweet potato or any orange winter squash, about 6 cups prepared. The spices and seasonings should be to your own taste, so taste before and after adding the peanut butter to adjust to your liking.

What you need

  1. 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cubed (2-3 cups)
  2. 2 large carrots, cubed (2-3 cups)
  3. 1 yellow or sweet onion, peeled and finely diced
  4. 4 garlic cloves, minced (or more)
  5. 3 Tablespoons grated fresh ginger (or more)
  6. 3 oz. (1/2 can) Tomato paste (no sugar)
  7. 1/2 tsp ground cayenne pepper (to start)
  8. 2 fresh bay leaves
  9. 1 tsp ground coriander (grind fresh from dried seeds or you might want more)
  10. 6 cups water
  11. 1/2 cup unsweetened peanut butter
  12. Kosher salt
  13. Peanut or Olive oil (or Sunflower seed, etc.)

How to make it

  1. Heat oil in a large stockpot or dutch oven over medium to medium high heat
  2. Add onion with 1/2 tsp kosher salt and cook until wilted but not browned
  3. Add sweet potatoes and carrots and cook until just beginning to brown
  4. Set heat to medium and add coriander, bay leaves, cayenne, ginger, garlic and tomato paste
  5. Stir constantly to distribute tomato paste evenly
  6. When the base of the pan has a nice color, add 5 cups of water and stir to blend in the browned tomato paste/spice blend
  7. Bring to a low boil, reduce heat, cover and cook for about 1 hour on low, stirring occasionally
  8. Taste to determine seasoning: coriander, ginger, cayenne? (don't yet add additional salt)
  9. At this point you can use a potato masher or blender/food processor to puree some of the sweet potato and carrots if you like
  10. With heat on low, add all the peanut butter and stir until thoroughly blended and smooth (you can add the additional cup of water at this point for consistency if you like)
  11. When hot again, taste once more to see if you need salt or anything additional, then serve
  12. Ta da!

You can do everything up to the peanut butter addition in advance, then reheat to add the peanut butter. You can garnish with toasted peanuts and cilantro or it's great just as it is.

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