Lunch: Peanut Stew (Mafe)

Ingredients

3 to 4 tablespoons peanut oil
2 pounds lamb or beef stew meat, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 onion, diced (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 tablespoon grated ginger
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 habanero or Scotch bonnet pepper, halved (seeds removed if you don't want it too spicy)
1 large or 2 small tomatoes, diced (about 2 cups)
1/4 cup tomato paste
4 cups chicken broth
1 bay leaf
2 cups diced butternut squash (about 1 small)
2 cups diced turnips (about 2 medium)
1/2 cup smooth natural peanut butter
Serving suggestion: cooked white rice

Instructions

Add 1 tablespoon of the oil to a large heavy-bottomed pan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sprinkle the meat with salt and pepper. When the oil is hot, add the meat in batches and cook in a single layer (without overcrowding the pan) until browned on all sides, about 4 to 5 minutes per batch. When the first batch is done, transfer to a bowl and repeat with the remaining meat. Add 1 tablespoon of oil to the pan per batch of meat.
2. Reduce the heat to medium, add the onions and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the ginger, garlic and habaneros and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook until they begin to soften and break down, about 4 minutes; add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, about 2 minutes. Return the meat and all of its juices back to the pan. Add the chicken broth and bay leaf, bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer gently for about an hour.
3. Sir in the squash and turnips, cover and continue simmering for an additional 30 minutes. Ladle about a cup of the cooking liquid into a medium bowl and whisk in the peanut butter. Pour the peanut butter mixture into the stew and carefully stir and simmer for an additional 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Before serving, remove the habanero halves and the bay leaf. Serve with hot white rice on the side.

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