Best 3 West African Beef Stew Recipes

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Tantalize your taste buds with a culinary journey to West Africa, where bold flavors and aromatic spices dance together in a symphony of taste. Discover the secrets of preparing an authentic West African beef stew, a hearty and flavorful dish that embodies the essence of this vibrant region. This comprehensive guide will take you step-by-step through the process, from selecting the perfect cut of beef to creating a rich and flavorful sauce. Along the way, you'll also find a collection of complementary recipes that perfectly accompany this delectable stew.

1. **Classic West African Beef Stew**: Embark on a culinary adventure with this classic beef stew recipe, showcasing the harmonious blend of aromatic spices, succulent beef, and tender vegetables.

2. **Slow-Cooker West African Beef Stew**: Indulge in the convenience of a slow-cooker version of this beloved stew. Let your kitchen fill with mouthwatering aromas as the beef simmers gently, resulting in fall-apart tenderness and an explosion of flavors.

3. **Vegan West African Stew**: Experience the vibrant flavors of West African cuisine without compromising on taste. This vegan rendition of the classic stew features hearty plant-based proteins, ensuring a satisfying and flavorful meal for all.

4. **Spicy West African Beef Stew**: Ignite your taste buds with a spicy variation of the beef stew. This recipe dials up the heat with a generous addition of chili peppers and zesty spices, creating a tantalizing dish that will leave you craving more.

5. **West African Beef Stew with Peanut Butter**: Add a unique twist to your stew with the luscious creaminess of peanut butter. This recipe effortlessly combines the bold flavors of West African spices with the nutty richness of peanut butter, resulting in a delightful and unforgettable dish.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

WEST AFRICAN GOAT MEAT STEW



West African Goat Meat Stew image

Stew is an important go-to dish in many West African countries, either as an everyday meal or for celebratory events, such as weddings, graduations and Christmas. It pairs with a variety of starches, like rice and/or plantains, yams and beans. Depending on the country, the base of the stew can vary. In Ghana, which is my homeland, the base is a blend of tomato puree and tomato paste. My husband, on the other hand, is a native of Nigeria, where the base is tomato pureed with red bell pepper. This recipe is a hybrid of both versions with the addition of garlic. While stew can be made with several meat or seafood options, goat is the preferred choice in my home and in certain West African countries for its rich and robust flavor.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h15m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 pound bone-in goat meat (preferably leg), cut into 1-inch cubes, rinsed and drained
2 medium onions, chopped (about 2 cups)
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
3 plum tomatoes, chopped
3 cloves garlic
1 small red bell pepper, chopped
1 habanero pepper (optional)
5 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon chicken bouillon powder
1 teaspoon Madras curry powder
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
2 bay leaves, finely torn (see Cook's Note)
Cooked rice and/or sweet plantains, for serving

Steps:

  • Combine the goat meat with 1/2 cup of the onions and 1 teaspoon salt in a medium pot. Add enough water to cover the meat. Cover with the lid and cook over medium heat, until tender, 45 to 50 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the goat meat to a medium bowl. Reserve the broth.
  • Meanwhile, combine the tomatoes, garlic, bell pepper, habanero, if using, and 1 cup of the remaining onions in a blender or food processor; blend until smooth and set aside.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large high-sided skillet over medium-high heat. Using the slotted spoon, transfer the goat meat to the skillet and cook until browned all over, about 3 minutes per side. Remove the goat meat to the same bowl.
  • Add the remaining 4 tablespoons oil to the same skillet and heat over medium heat. Add the remaining 1/2 cup onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 1 minute. Add the tomato paste and stir until grainy in appearance in the oil, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato-pepper puree and stir to combine. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the bouillon powder, curry powder, thyme, bay leaves and 1/2 teaspoon salt; stir to combine and cook for 3 minutes. Add the goat meat and 2 tablespoons of the reserved broth (save the rest for another use); stir to combine. Cover and simmer over low heat until a layer of oil appears on the surface and the stew is thickened and bright reddish in color, about 10 minutes. Taste and add more salt, if needed. Serve with rice and/or sweet plantains.

WEST AFRICAN PEANUT STEW



West African Peanut Stew image

One-pot meals are staples in Gullah-Geechie households, and this dish is a special one to me. West African enslaved people were brought to the Low Country, and with them they brought their indigenous foods like collards, tomatoes, peanuts and rice. This stew has all of those ingredients, and it's delicious served on its own or over rice.

Provided by Kardea Brown

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h20m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 tablespoons peanut or canola oil
1 large fryer chicken, cut into stewing pieces
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 large onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
2 chicken bouillon cubes
One 14.5-ounce can tomato sauce
1 teaspoon tomato paste
1 1/2 cups all-natural peanut butter
1 Scotch bonnet pepper, sliced and seeds removed
2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
2 Roma tomatoes, diced
1 small bunch collard greens, stems removed, leaves sliced
Hot cooked rice, for serving, optional

Steps:

  • Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven until hot. Sprinkle the chicken pieces with salt and pepper and cook until browned on all sides, about 20 minutes. Remove the chicken to a plate. Add the onion, garlic, ginger and bouillon cubes to the pot and cook until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste and peanut butter. Add 4 cups of water and the Scotch bonnet pepper. Return the chicken to the pot. Bring to a boil; reduce the heat and let simmer 10 to 12 minutes.
  • Add the sweet potatoes, tomatoes and collard greens. Cover and simmer until the potatoes are easily pierced with a fork, about 25 minutes. (Remove the Scotch bonnet pepper if someone has a low tolerance for heat.)
  • Serve warm with hot cooked rice, if using.

WEST AFRICAN PEANUT STEW



West African Peanut Stew image

A hearty stew that's super-easy to make and great for peanut butter lovers. Can be made vegetarian or with chicken. In a pinch, feel free to use vegetable or corn oil for peanut oil, powdered ginger for fresh, water for stock, etc. Kale works well in place of collard greens.

Provided by km1312

Categories     Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes     Stews     Chicken

Time 1h5m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 tablespoons peanut oil
1 red onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh ginger
1 pound chicken, cut into chunks
1 tablespoon crushed red pepper, or to taste
salt and ground black pepper to taste
5 cups chicken stock
3 small sweet potatoes, cut into chunks
1 (16 ounce) can chopped tomatoes, with liquid
ΒΌ pound collard greens, roughly chopped
1 cup chunky peanut butter

Steps:

  • Heat the peanut oil in a large pot over medium-high heat; cook and stir the onion, garlic, and ginger in the hot oil until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the chicken; cook and stir until completely browned. Season with the crushed red pepper, salt, and black pepper. Pour the chicken stock over the mixture. Stir the sweet potatoes into the liquid and bring the mixture to a boil; reduce heat to low, cover the pot partially with a lid, and cook at a simmer for 15 minutes.
  • Stir the tomatoes, collard greens, and peanut butter into the soup. Partially cover the pot again and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, another 20 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 730.6 calories, Carbohydrate 44.9 g, Cholesterol 70.1 mg, Fat 43.8 g, Fiber 11.1 g, Protein 45.5 g, SaturatedFat 7.7 g, Sodium 1470.3 mg, Sugar 14.5 g

Tips:

  • Choose the right cut of beef: Chuck roast, short ribs, or flank steak are all good options for this stew.
  • Brown the beef well: This will help to develop flavor and prevent the meat from becoming tough.
  • Use a variety of spices: West African beef stew is typically made with a blend of spices, such as cumin, coriander, paprika, and chili powder. Feel free to experiment with different spices to create your own unique flavor profile.
  • Simmer the stew for at least 1 hour: This will allow the flavors to meld and the meat to become tender.
  • Serve the stew with rice, mashed potatoes, or your favorite side dish: West African beef stew is a hearty and flavorful dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

Conclusion:

West African beef stew is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. With its bold flavors and tender meat, this stew is sure to please everyone at the table. So next time you're looking for a new recipe to try, give West African beef stew a try. You won't be disappointed!

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