Description
Hearty “spicy peanut soup with sweet potato” brings robust comfort from West African kitchens to your table. Rich flavors blend tender sweet potatoes, creamy peanut butter, and complex spices, promising warmth and satisfaction with each delightful spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1.5 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed (about 3 medium)
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- ½ cup natural creamy peanut butter
- 2 cups chopped kale or spinach
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 jalapeno, seeded and finely chopped (optional, for heat)
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (or to taste)
- 1 (14.5 ounces) can diced tomatoes (with juice)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Juice of 1 lime
Optional Toppings:
- Roasted peanuts, chopped
- Fresh cilantro
- Sliced green onions
- Cooked rice or quinoa (to serve)
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a spacious soup pot over medium flame, gently sautéing diced onions until they become translucent and softened.
- Introduce minced garlic, freshly grated ginger, and finely chopped jalapeño, allowing the aromatic mixture to release its vibrant flavors for about a minute.
- Sprinkle in ground cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and a pinch of cayenne, creating a fragrant spice blend that coats the vegetables.
- Tumble in cubed sweet potatoes and diced red bell peppers, stirring thoroughly to ensure each piece is evenly seasoned.
- Pour in diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, creamy peanut butter, and tomato paste, whisking until the peanut butter completely melts into the liquid.
- Elevate the heat to trigger a boiling point, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer, allowing the sweet potatoes to tenderize for approximately 20 minutes.
- Fold in fresh chopped kale or spinach, letting the greens wilt and integrate into the soup’s rich texture.
- Brighten the flavors with a squeeze of fresh lime juice, then calibrate the seasoning with salt and pepper to personal preference.
- Transfer the steaming soup into serving bowls, garnishing with a sprinkle of chopped peanuts, fresh cilantro, and thinly sliced green onions.
- Optional: Accompany the soup with a side of fluffy rice or quinoa for a complete and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Swap spice levels easily by adjusting cayenne pepper quantity or using milder peppers like poblano for those sensitive to heat.
- Boost protein content by adding cooked chicken, tofu, or white beans directly into the soup during the final simmering stage.
- Create a creamy, velvety texture by blending a portion of the soup before adding greens, which helps thicken the consistency without extra ingredients.
- Make the recipe gluten-free and allergen-friendly by using tamari instead of traditional soy sauce and confirming all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: African
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg