Sauce Karanga (Congolese Peanut Stew)
Sauce Karanga is a rich and creamy peanut stew, a beloved dish in Congolese cuisine. This vegetarian-friendly stew features sweet potatoes and chickpeas simmered in a flavorful peanut sauce with aromatic spices. It's often served with rice or fufu.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 1 medium Onion(finely diced)
- 2 Garlic cloves(finely diced)
- 1 tbsp Fresh ginger(grated)
- 2 tsp Curry powder
- 0.25 tsp Cayenne pepper(or to taste)
- 0.5 tsp Paprika
- 0.5 tsp Turmeric
- 0.5 tsp Cumin
- 0.5 tsp Garlic granules
- 1 tbsp Tomato paste
- 1 can (14.5 oz) Diced tomatoes
- 3 cups Vegetable stock(divided)
- 1 large Sweet potato(peeled and cut into bite-sized cubes (approx. 300g))
- 2 cans (15 oz each) Chickpeas(drained and rinsed)
- 3 tbsp Peanut butter(smooth, unsweetened)
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 2 Chili pepper(or 1 scotch bonnet, or pinch chili flakes (optional))
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 2
Stir in the curry powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, turmeric, cumin, and garlic granules. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Add a splash of water if needed to deglaze the pot.
- 3
Add the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, stirring. Add the diced tomatoes and 1 cup of vegetable stock. Stir well.
- 4
In a blender, combine the chickpeas, remaining 2 cups of vegetable stock, and peanut butter. Blend until smooth. Pour this mixture into the pot.
- 5
Add the cubed sweet potato and optional chili pepper to the pot. Stir well to combine all ingredients. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender. Stir occasionally.
- 6
Season with salt and black pepper to taste. If the stew is too thick, add a little more vegetable stock or water. If it's too thin, simmer uncovered for a few more minutes to reduce. Serve hot.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a smoother stew, you can blend the entire pot using an immersion blender before serving.
- ✓This stew can be made ahead of time and reheats well.
- ✓Serve with rice, fufu, or crusty bread for dipping.
🔄 Variations
- Add other vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, or kale.
- For a non-vegetarian version, add cooked shredded chicken or beef.