African Sweet Potato Stew

Name: African Sweet Potato Stew
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 6 h 15 min
Total time: 6 h 45 min
Yield: 10 servings
Ingredients: 1 onion, chopped; 2 small jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger; 2 teaspoons ground cumin; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon ground coriander; ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon; ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes; 4 cups water; 2 ½ pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped into 2-inch pieces; 2 (15 ounce) cans diced tomatoes, drained; 2 (15 ounce) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed; ¼ cup peanut butter; 1 (15 ounce) can sliced green beans, drained

Rating: 4.42 stars

26 Ratings
23 Reviews
6 Photos

I came across an African sweet potato stew recipe a few years ago, and adapted it to suit our taste. It is very flavorful and just a bit spicy - just right for cold days! This recipe makes a lot of stew, so it may be halved for a smaller portion, but also freezes very well.

By mamaluv

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Recipe Summary

prep:

30 mins

cook:

6 hrs 15 mins

total:

6 hrs 45 mins

Servings:

Yield:

10 servings

Nutrition Info

Directions

Step 1

Place onion, jalapeno peppers, garlic, ginger, cumin, salt, coriander, cinnamon, and red pepper flakes in a large slow cooker. Pour in water and stir to combine. Mix in sweet potatoes, tomatoes, chickpeas, and peanut butter.

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Step 2

Set cooker to Medium-High, cover, and cook until sweet potatoes are tender and stew has thickened, about 6 hours. Stir in green beans, cover, and continue cooking until beans are heated through, 15 to 20 minutes.

Cook's Note:

Substitute 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger for the fresh ginger if preferred.

If you like, coat 1 pound pork stew meat with flour and cook in a small amount of oil in a skillet over medium heat, drain, and add to the stew with the green beans (in step 2).

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:

231 calories; protein 7.4g 15% DV; carbohydrates 43.1g 14% DV; fat 4.2g 7% DV; cholesterolmg; sodium 568.8mg 23% DV. Full Nutrition

Reviews (23)

Most helpful positive review

Richard Goerwitz

01/01/2019

To make it more authentic, for a Rwandan, use white sweet potatoes, and don't use chickpeas. Some areas use them and some don't. This is a vegetarian recipe, and the reason I like it is that much of east Africa eats mainly vegetarian, and actually much of the world, mainly for economic reasons. Americans tend to think than all savory main dishes have meat, but that's not true everywhere. Read More

Helpful

(4)

Most helpful critical review

Adam Spurrell

04/08/2016

I tried to make this following the steps exactly and it did not look anything like the picture (no corn peas?...) and it was awful. Read More

Helpful

(1)

26 Ratings

5 star values: 17
4 star values: 5
3 star values: 3
2 star values: 0
1 star values: 1

Reviews: Most Helpful

Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest

Richard Goerwitz

12/31/2018

Helpful

(4)

Laura

10/02/2017

I just realized I forgot to add the garlic and I still loved it! Read More

Helpful

(2)

maggi

03/28/2018

I only used one can of chickpeas and one can of tomatoes. I substituted vegetable broth for the water in the recipe. It was great! Would make it again. Read More

Helpful

(2)

hhamilton

04/03/2019

I followed the ingredients of this recipe, but left out the green beans. When it was finished cooking, I puréed the entire batch for serving. Flavourful! My daughter had two bowls. I served it with focaccia bread. Read More

Helpful

(1)

Danielle Loren

10/09/2018

I made this this using only fresh ingredients (with the exception of canned chickpeas) and it came out very good. I used peanut powder instead of peanut butter to keep the fat down and added a great deal more red pepper flakes to increase the heat Read More

Helpful

(1)

fluffy-not-fat

02/20/2018

Don't look for dessert sweetness, this wonderfully slightly spicy stew is true comfort food of the highest order. I did add a bit of salt and a dollop of butter at serving, but on the whole it is absolutely delicious. I took it to an African History Month Luncheon and nothing but raves. Great with sauteed greens! Read More

Helpful

(1)

Aaron W.M.

12/25/2018

Didn't have jalapeno's the first time I made it, but still quite tasty. We might try a half batch next time with the jalapeno and add some meat. Still very good as a vegetarian dish, and nice to have the option to make it either way. Read More

Helpful

(1)

Adam Spurrell

04/08/2016

I tried to make this following the steps exactly and it did not look anything like the picture (no corn peas?...) and it was awful. Read More

Helpful

(1)

LonaS

02/03/2019

Used vegetable broth in place of water per recommendation of previous reviewer. Served with couscous. Yummy. Read More

Helpful

(1)

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Nutritional Information

African Sweet Potato Stew

Servings Per Recipe: 10
Calories: 231.4

% Daily Value *

protein: 15 %

carbohydrates: 14 %

exchange other carbs:

dietary fiber: 32 %

sugars:

fat: 7 %

saturated fat: 4 %

cholesterol:

vitamin a iu: 327 %

niacin equivalents: 29 %

vitamin b6: 43 %

vitamin c: 27 %

folate: 18 %

calcium: 10 %

iron: 17 %

magnesium: 26 %

potassium: 21 %

sodium: 23 %

thiamin: 15 %

calories from fat:

percent of calories from carbs:

percent of calories from fat:

percent of calories from protein:

percent of calories from sat fat:

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

**Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-)Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

Reviews for: Photos of African Sweet Potato Stew

1 of 23

All Reviews

Richard Goerwitz

12/31/2018

Helpful

(4)

Laura

10/02/2017

I just realized I forgot to add the garlic and I still loved it!

Helpful

(2)

maggi

03/28/2018

I only used one can of chickpeas and one can of tomatoes. I substituted vegetable broth for the water in the recipe. It was great! Would make it again.

Helpful

(2)

hhamilton