Botswana Fish and Peanut Stew (Tlhapi le Dinoko)
A unique and flavorful stew featuring firm white fish cooked in a rich peanut sauce, infused with tomatoes, onions, and mild spices. This dish highlights the use of groundnuts (peanuts) as a staple ingredient in Botswana cuisine, creating a creamy and satisfying meal.
🧂 Ingredients
- 600 g Firm white fish fillets(such as tilapia, cod, or kingklip, cut into large chunks)
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 1 large Onion(chopped)
- 3 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 400 g Tomatoes(canned crushed)
- 150 g Peanut butter(smooth, unsweetened)
- 500 ml Chicken or vegetable broth
- 1.5 tbsp Curry powder
- 1 tsp Paprika
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground, or to taste)
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice
- 0.25 cup Fresh parsley(chopped, for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Season the fish chunks generously with salt and pepper.
💡 Tip: This helps to flavor the fish from the inside. - 2
Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 6-8 minutes.
- 3
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- 4
Add the crushed tomatoes, curry powder, and paprika. Stir well and cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the spices to bloom.
- 5
In a separate bowl, whisk together the peanut butter and broth until smooth. Gradually add this mixture to the pot, stirring constantly.
💡 Tip: Ensure the peanut butter is fully incorporated to avoid lumps. - 6
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Add the seasoned fish chunks to the pot, ensuring they are mostly submerged in the sauce.
💡 Tip: Be gentle when adding fish to avoid breaking the chunks. - 7
Cover the pot and simmer gently for 15-20 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. Avoid over-stirring, which can break up the fish.
- 8
Stir in the lemon juice and season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
💡 Tip: Lemon juice brightens the flavors of the stew. - 9
Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve hot.
💡 Tip: This stew is traditionally served with pap (stiff maize porridge) or rice.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Use a good quality, unsweetened peanut butter for the best flavor.
- ✓If the sauce is too thick, add a little more broth or water until it reaches your desired consistency.
- ✓For a richer, nuttier flavor, you can lightly toast the peanuts before grinding them into peanut butter, if making from scratch.
🔄 Variations
- Add a can of diced tomatoes with the crushed tomatoes for extra texture.
- Include chopped bell peppers or spinach in the last 10 minutes of cooking.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the fish with firm tofu or chunks of sweet potato.