Name: West African Peanut Lentil Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 3
Cuisine: African Inspired
Ingredients: 1 tsp oil; 1/2 medium onion; 2 juicy tomatoes; 4-5 garlic cloves; 1 inch ginger; 1 tbsp sambal oelek or asian chili sauce or other hot chile sauce to taste; 1 tbsp tomato paste or ketchup; 1.5 tsp ground cumin; 2 tsp ground coriander; 1 to 1.5 tsp Harissa Spice Blend; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 1/4 cup nut butter like peanut butter or almond butter; 2 tbsp peanuts; 1/2 cup red lentils; 2 cups veggies (chopped small or thin slices - zucchini, sweet potato or potato, carrots, eggplant, broccoflower etc); 2.5 cups vegetable stock or water; 3/4 tsp to 1 salt; 1 tsp or more lime or lemon juice; 1/2 cup packed baby spinach or other baby greens.

Jump to Recipe

African inspired Peanut Stew is one of the favorite recipes on the interwebs, with many variations and interpretations. A creamy peanutty stew with spices and veggies is definitely needed after all the loaded holiday meals and desserts. Many countries in West Africa have their versions of Peanut stew which can include different vegetables such as okra, eggplants etc, spices, and meats.

My version of the soup has red lentils along with the vegetables. Red lentils make the stew thick and filling and you can reduce the peanut butter/nut butter. It makes a great one bowl meal. Use vegetables of choice like sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, zucchini, eggplant, etc. Top with toasted peanuts of other nuts, cilantro or other herbs a dash of lemon. Serve as is or with crackers or flatbread.

This Christmas we had a no gift policy. We just wanted Chewie to be better and he is. We made a jar of things we want for the next year, mostly things or events we would love to accomplish the next year. That jar will be opened next year to see if everyone got their wishes. Hope you had a fun and love filled Christmas!

Try this African Peanut Stew with Lentils with spices to keep you warm through the snowy cold front.