Djiboutian Sweet Potato and Coconut Stew
A comforting and flavorful vegetarian stew made with sweet potatoes, coconut milk, and aromatic spices. This dish highlights the use of readily available ingredients and the influence of tropical flavors in Djiboutian cuisine.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 medium Onion(thinly sliced)
- 3 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 inch Ginger(thinly sliced)
- 2 tsp Ground cumin
- 0.5 tsp Cinnamon
- 0.25 tsp Cayenne pepper(or to taste)
- 2 medium Sweet potatoes(peeled and cut into chunks)
- 2 cups Full-fat coconut milk
- 1 cup Vegetable broth
- Salt(to taste)
- Black pepper(to taste)
- 1 tbsp Tahini
- 0.5 Lemon(juiced)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and sliced ginger and cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
- 2
Stir in the ground cumin, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper. Toast the spices for 1 minute until fragrant.
- 3
Add the sweet potato chunks to the pot. Stir well to coat the vegetables in the spice mixture.
- 4
Pour in the full-fat coconut milk and vegetable broth. Bring the mixture to a low boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender.
- 5
Stir in the tahini and the fresh lemon juice. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- 6
For a creamier texture, transfer half of the stew to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour the blended portion back into the pot and stir to combine. Alternatively, for a chunkier stew, skip this step.
- 7
Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs or toasted nuts if desired.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a spicier stew, add more cayenne pepper or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- ✓You can add other vegetables like carrots or butternut squash along with the sweet potatoes.
- ✓This stew can be made ahead of time and reheats well.
🔄 Variations
- Add a can of drained and rinsed chickpeas for added protein and texture.
- Serve over rice or with flatbread like chapati.