Akodesse Tse (Togolese Peanut Stew)
A rich and flavorful peanut stew, often made with chicken or beef, vegetables, and a blend of aromatic spices. It's a comforting and popular dish in Togolese cuisine.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Chicken thighs(bone-in, skin-on, cut into pieces)
- 250 g Peanut butter(unsweetened, smooth)
- 2 large Onions(chopped)
- 400 g Tomatoes(crushed or pureed)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 inch piece Ginger(grated)
- 1 whole Scotch bonnet pepper(or to taste, pierced)
- 3 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 500 ml Chicken broth
- 2 medium Sweet potatoes(peeled and cubed)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken on all sides, then remove and set aside.
- 2
Add chopped onions to the pot and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- 3
Stir in minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
- 4
Add the crushed tomatoes and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 5
In a separate bowl, whisk the peanut butter with a little warm water or chicken broth until smooth. Add this mixture to the pot along with the remaining chicken broth and the pierced scotch bonnet pepper.
💡 Tip: Ensure the peanut butter is well-dissolved to avoid lumps. - 6
Return the browned chicken to the pot. Bring the stew to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 7
Add the cubed sweet potatoes to the stew. Continue to simmer, covered, for another 20-25 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender and the chicken is cooked through.
💡 Tip: The stew should thicken nicely. If it's too thick, add a little more broth or water. - 8
Remove the scotch bonnet pepper before serving. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot.
💡 Tip: Serve with rice, fufu, or boiled yams.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a spicier stew, leave the scotch bonnet pepper whole and pierce it a few times. For less heat, remove seeds and membranes or omit.
- ✓Adjust the amount of peanut butter to your preference for richness.
- ✓If using beef, ensure it's tenderized or cut into smaller pieces for quicker cooking.
🔄 Variations
- Add other vegetables like okra, bell peppers, or spinach in the last 15-20 minutes of cooking.
- Use fish or firm tofu for a vegetarian or pescatarian option.
- Incorporate a teaspoon of tomato paste for a deeper tomato flavor.