Mafé
Mafé is a rich and hearty peanut stew from Senegal, featuring chicken or beef simmered with sweet potatoes and a blend of spices.
Contents (2 sections)▾
Ingredients
- 500 g chicken or beef, cut into chunks
- 250 g unsweetened natural peanut butter
- 400 g tomatoes, chopped
- 200 g sweet potato or carrot, diced
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 scotch bonnet pepper, whole
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 liter water
Steps
In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until translucent, which enhances the flavor base.
Add the chicken or beef chunks to the pot and brown for about 10 minutes, ensuring even cooking and flavor development.
Stir in the chopped tomatoes, diced sweet potato or carrot, salt, and black pepper. Cook for an additional 5 minutes until the tomatoes break down.
Pour in the water and bring the mixture to a boil. Then, reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 30 minutes, allowing the ingredients to meld.
Add the peanut butter and the whole scotch bonnet pepper, stirring well to incorporate the peanut butter into the broth. Simmer for another 20 minutes, adjusting seasoning as needed.
If the stew seems too thick, add a little more water until the desired consistency is achieved. Serve hot, removing the scotch bonnet before serving.
Why this works
The technique of long-simmering allows the natural peanut butter to dissolve seamlessly into the tomato broth, creating a rich and creamy body for the stew. The slow cooking helps meld the flavors of the chicken or beef, sweet potatoes, and spices, resulting in a deeply satisfying dish. The scotch bonnet pepper adds a subtle heat that complements the nutty flavor without overpowering it. If the stew seems too thick, you can add more water gradually until you reach a pleasing consistency. This technique ensures that the peanut butter does not separate or become oily, but instead integrates beautifully into the dish. The balance of proteins and carbohydrates makes it a fulfilling meal that resonates with the heart of Senegalese cuisine.
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