Mafe (Peanut Stew)
Beef simmered with tomato and ground peanuts into a rich, velvety stew — a Mande dish credited to Mali, spread across West Africa under names like maafe, tigadegue, and groundnut stew.
Meat
⚠ Contains: Peanut. Always check your own ingredients — this isn't a guarantee for severe allergies.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef chuck, cubed
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tomatoes, chopped
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup natural peanut butter (unsweetened)
- 3 cups water or beef stock
- 1 Scotch bonnet pepper, whole
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 1 sweet potato, chopped
- 2 tbsp oil
- Salt, to taste
Steps
- Heat the oil in a heavy pot and brown the beef with the onion and garlic.
- Add the tomatoes and tomato paste, and cook until the tomatoes break down.
- Whisk the peanut butter with a little of the water or stock until smooth, then stir it into the pot along with the remaining liquid.
- Add the whole Scotch bonnet, carrots, and sweet potato.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, for 45-60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef is tender and the sauce is thick and glossy.
- Remove the whole pepper, season with salt, and serve hot over rice.