Ugandan Sweet Potato and Greens Stew
A hearty and nutritious stew featuring tender sweet potatoes and vibrant greens, simmered in a rich, flavorful broth. This dish highlights the use of fresh, local ingredients common in Ugandan cuisine.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 large Sweet potatoes(peeled and cubed)
- 1 bunch Greens (e.g., spinach, collard greens, kale)(washed and chopped)
- 1 medium Onion(diced)
- 5 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 inch knob Ginger(grated)
- 6 oz can Tomato paste(about 5 oz)
- 0.5 cup Smooth peanut butter(freshly ground preferred)
- 1.5 tsp Cumin
- 0.5 tsp Crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 8 cups Water
- Salt(to taste)
- Halved or crushed peanuts(for garnish (optional))
- Cilantro(chopped, for garnish (optional))
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare a paste of the ginger and garlic using a mortar and pestle or a small food processor.
💡 Tip: Ensure the paste is smooth for even flavor distribution. - 2
Heat the vegetable oil in a deep pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until caramelized, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 minutes - 3
Add the ginger-garlic paste to the pot and sauté for about 2 minutes, ensuring the heat is low to prevent burning.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 4
Add the cubed sweet potatoes to the pot and stir until they are coated with the onion mixture. Add the cumin and crushed red pepper flakes, and mix well.
💡 Tip: This step helps to slightly toast the spices and coat the sweet potatoes. - 5
In a separate bowl, whisk the peanut butter with about 1/2 cup of hot water until smooth. This prevents lumps in the stew.
💡 Tip: Using hot water helps to dissolve the peanut butter more easily. - 6
Stir the peanut butter mixture and the tomato paste into the pot with the sweet potatoes. Add the 8 cups of water and mix thoroughly to ensure the peanut butter and tomato paste are well integrated.
💡 Tip: Ensure there are no lumps of peanut butter or tomato paste. - 7
Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer until the sweet potatoes are tender, about 15-20 minutes.
⏱️ 20 minutes💡 Tip: The cooking time for sweet potatoes can vary depending on their size and type. - 8
Add the chopped greens to the pot and stir them into the stew. Cover and cook for another 5 minutes, or until the greens have wilted.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 9
Taste the stew and add salt as needed. The peanut butter and tomato paste may add some natural saltiness.
💡 Tip: It's important to taste and adjust seasoning at the end. - 10
Ladle the stew into bowls. Garnish with crushed peanuts and chopped cilantro, if desired. Serve hot with rice, bread, or other grains.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a creamier stew, you can add a bit more peanut butter.
- ✓Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to control the spice level.
- ✓Ensure the peanut butter is fully dissolved before adding it to the stew to avoid a grainy texture.
🔄 Variations
- Add other vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, or zucchini along with the sweet potatoes.
- For a richer flavor, a piece of chicken or beef can be added and cooked until tender before adding the sweet potatoes.