Description
Hearty “spicy peanut soup with sweet potato” delivers West African comfort in a bowl, blending rich nutty flavors with warming spices. Creamy sweet potatoes and bold seasonings create a soul-satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 jalapeno, seeded and finely chopped (optional, for heat)
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 2 cups chopped kale or spinach
- 1 ½ pounds (680 grams) sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed (about 3 medium)
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (or to taste)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Juice of 1 lime
Liquids and Binding Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 (14.5 ounces/411 grams) can diced tomatoes (with juice)
- ½ cup natural creamy peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
Optional Toppings:
- Roasted peanuts, chopped
- Fresh cilantro
- Sliced green onions
- Cooked rice or quinoa (to serve)
Instructions
- Prepare the aromatic base by heating olive oil in a spacious soup pot over medium flame. Gently sauté onions until they turn translucent and softened, releasing their sweet essence.
- Introduce minced garlic, freshly grated ginger, and finely chopped jalapeño to the pot. Allow these vibrant ingredients to mingle and release their intense fragrance for a brief moment.
- Awaken the soup’s depth by sprinkling cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and a whisper of cayenne. Stir these spices to create a rich, warming foundation that will permeate the entire dish.
- Fold in diced sweet potatoes and crimson bell peppers, ensuring each morsel gets generously coated with the spice blend, creating a harmonious flavor profile.
- Pour in diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, creamy peanut butter, and tomato paste. Whisk persistently until the peanut butter seamlessly integrates with the liquid, creating a smooth, luxurious base.
- Elevate the heat to trigger a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer. Allow the soup to bubble softly, transforming the sweet potatoes into tender morsels that practically melt on the tongue.
- Introduce vibrant greens – kale or spinach – stirring them into the simmering liquid. Watch as they wilt and incorporate, adding a fresh, earthy dimension to the soup.
- Brighten the flavor profile with a squeeze of lime juice, then calibrate the seasoning with salt and pepper to achieve a perfect balance.
- Serve the soup in warm bowls, garnishing with a sprinkle of chopped peanuts, fresh cilantro, and delicate green onion rings. Complement with a side of fluffy rice or quinoa for a complete meal.
Notes
- Enhance the soup’s depth by toasting spices in oil before adding other ingredients, which releases their essential oils and amplifies flavor complexity.
- Customize heat levels by adjusting cayenne pepper quantity or using milder peppers like poblano for sensitive palates.
- Make the soup more protein-packed by adding cooked chicken, tofu, or beans directly into the simmering broth for extra nutrition and heartiness.
- Ensure smooth peanut butter integration by whisking it gradually into warm broth, preventing potential clumping and creating a silky, consistent texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: African
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg