Mafé

About This Recipe

Mafé is one of the great peanut stews of West Africa, found across Senegal, Mali, Guinea, and the Gambia. The Senegalese version is renowned for its rich balance of savory meat, sweet vegetables, and a deep, nutty peanut sauce that reduces to a thick, glossy consistency. The dish is typically served over white rice or with attieke (fermented cassava couscous).

Ingredients

Serves 4

• 800 glamb shoulder or beef(cut into large chunks)
• 200 gnatural peanut butter
• 2 tbsptomato paste
• 2 mediumonions(chopped)
• 3 clovesgarlic(minced)
• 2 mediumcarrots(chopped)
• 2 mediumpotatoes(cubed)
• 1 smallcabbage(roughly chopped)
• 2 tbspvegetable oil
• 1 litrewater
• 1 tspsalt
• 1 tspblack pepper

Instructions

1. 1

   Brown the meat

   Heat oil in a large pot. Brown meat on all sides over high heat. Remove and set aside.

2. 2

   Sauté aromatics

   In the same pot, fry onions and garlic until soft. Add tomato paste and cook 5 minutes.

3. 3

   Add peanut butter

   Whisk peanut butter with 500ml warm water. Add to the pot along with browned meat and remaining water.

4. 4

   Simmer

   Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 40 minutes until meat is nearly tender.

5. 5

   Add vegetables

   Add carrots, potatoes, and cabbage. Cook 25 more minutes until everything is tender.

6. 6

   Serve

   Serve over white rice or with bread.

Variations

• •

  Use chicken for a lighter version

• •

  Add sweet potato instead of regular potato

• •

  Stir in a habanero for heat

• •

  Vegetarian: swap the protein for roasted king oyster mushrooms, smoked tofu or cooked chickpeas — adjust seasoning slightly upward to compensate.

Storage

Keeps 3 days refrigerated and improves overnight. Freeze up to 3 months.

Frequently Asked Questions