The perfect winter stew

This time of year I just adore having a big pot of steamy stew simmering on the stove. What I adore even more, is digging into a big bowl of that stew to warm and nourish me.

A dear friend of mine told me about a sweet potato and peanut stew she’d made for her family. She described it like a West African peanut stew type dish that even her kids really enjoyed. I got the recipe and have been telling everyone about my new favourite winter stew.

I’ve made this many times over the years and it truly is heaven in a bowl. There are a couple variations you can choose from. A vegetarian option and simply skip the chicken included in the recipe below. But my favourite is to add the   chicken thighs which boosts the protein and makes for a full dinner meal. If you’re following an ancestral or Paelo way of eating you could skip the red lentils and use less liquid.

Here it is. I hope this becomes one of your favourite “go-to" winter meals, just like it has for me.

Enjoy!

Peanutty Sweet Potato, Chicken and Kale Stew

Inspired by Gena Hamshaw

• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 1/2  tablespoons ginger, minced
• 2 pounds sweet potatoes (about two large), chopped into small bite sized pieces
• 1/2 cup dry red lentils, rinsed and drained
• 1 14 oz can diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ground
• 2 teaspoons cumin, ground
• 1/2  teaspoon turmeric, ground
• Couple dashes cayenne pepper (to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 4-5 cups chicken or vegetable stock
• 1/4 cup creamy organic peanut butter
• 4 cups curly kale, chopped into small pieces
• 6 small skinless chicken thighs or two breast cut into 6 pieces*
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 cup green onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup peanuts or macadamia nuts

*The original recipe did not include chicken and this is a delectable vegetarian dish without it. If you prefer without, simply skip that step.

1      In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons of water on medium. Add the onion and begin sautéing until onion gets soft and translucent (about three minutes). Add the garlic and ginger, and continue to sauté for another three minutes, adding more water as required, until you can smell the garlic. Add the sweet potatoes, red lentils, tomatoes, chicken and all the spices. Stir to combine.

2      Add four cups stock and bring to a boil. Make sure everything is covered by the stock. If not add more. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 40-45 minutes, or until sweet potatoes and lentils are very tender. Watch and add more stock if needed.

3      Add peanut butter and stir well until it is completely mixed in. Remove the chicken and set aside on a plate. Using an immersion blender, blend soup till about half of it is pureed and the other half still has texture. Alternatively, you can take half the soup and blend in a blender, then add it back to the pot. Add the chicken back in. The stew should be nice and creamy, with some chunks of sweet potato, chicken and other veggies.

4      Stir in the kale and let it cook slightly. Add the lemon juice and season to taste, with more salt and pepper if required.

5      Serve in big bowls, topped with a tablespoon each of green onion and crushed nuts.

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