Maafe

About This Recipe

Maafe is a hearty West African stew in which beef (or lamb) is braised with peanut butter, tomatoes, and sweet potatoes until everything melds into a rich, deeply comforting sauce. It is served over white rice and is a staple of Malian household cooking.

Ingredients

Serves 4

• 600 gbeef stew meat, cubed
• 3/4 cupnatural peanut butter
• 2 mediumsweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 400 gcanned crushed tomatoes
• 1 largeonion, chopped
• 1 tspsalt and chilli flakes

Instructions

1. 1

   Brown beef

   Brown beef in batches in a large pot over high heat. Set aside.

2. 2

   Build sauce

   Cook onion in the same pot until soft. Add crushed tomatoes and cook 5 minutes.

3. 3

   Add peanut butter

   Whisk peanut butter into 1½ cups water; add to pot with salt and chilli. Return beef.

4. 4

   Add vegetables and simmer

   Add sweet potatoes, cover, and simmer 45 minutes until beef is tender and sauce is thick.

Variations

• •

  Use lamb or chicken.

• •

  Add okra in the last 15 minutes for extra body.

Storage

Refrigerate up to 4 days; freezes well.

Frequently Asked Questions