Try this tasty, nourishing African Sweet Potato Stew with carrots, bell peppers, fresh herbs and curry powder.
I made this African Sweet Potato Stew for dinner last night because I was craving something easy, nutritious and exotic. It is inspired by my African Peanut Stew, one of my favorite stew recipes, and it's just as yummy.
The stew makes a complete meal, with some brown rice. And it is, honestly, to die for. Creamy, spicy and sweet all at once, it is chock-full with the goodness of chickpeas and all sorts of brilliant-red veggies.
I added a melange of mint, sage and marjoram instead of the coriander, and by skipping the celery. I also added less water for a heftier stew-- just two cups instead of the four in the original recipe. Next time I might also try adding some whole peanuts to the stew-- along with the onions and sweet potatoes-- for more great texture.
Enjoy the African Sweet Potato Stew, all!
More vegan stew recipes
African Sweet Potato Stew
Ingredients
- ½ cup water
- 3 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 onion , thinly sliced
- 2 small sweet potatoes , peeled and finely diced
- 1 red bell pepper , diced
- 2 small carrots , thinly sliced
- 2 cups tomato puree
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup dried chickpeas , soaked overnight and cooked until tender. Alternatively use 1 can of chickpeas
- 4 tablespoon fresh herbs , chopped. You can use mint, sage and marjoram. Cilantro or even basil would be great here too.
- 3 tablespoon peanut butter
- 2 teaspoon curry powder (I used some Rajma masala I had on hand, but any curry powder would do for this)
Instructions
- Heat the soy sauce and water in a large saucepan.
- Add the onions and sweet potatoes, mix well, and cook for about 5 minutes or until the onions are softened.
- Add the carrots and bell pepper and cook another three to five minutes.
- Add the tomatoes, water, beans with any liquid, herbs, peanut butter and curry powder.
- Stir to mix, bring it to a boil, then cover and simmer over low heat for another 10 minutes or until the vegetables are fork-tender.
- Sprinkle more fresh herbs on top, and serve hot over brown rice.
Kersti
Hi Vaishali,
Thank you so much for sharing this absolutely amazing recipe with us! I have just made it, and honestly, I think I could have finished up the whole pot myself. My daughters and I absolutely loved it, and this will be a weekly treat for us from now on. I am delighted I stumbled across your blog and I will enjoy looking through the rest of your recipes. Thank you again from Kersti, Rebekka and Selina from Norway 😀
Vaishali
Hi Kersti, so wonderful to hear that! Thanks for letting me know.
Adam
This looks amazing. My partner is allergic to peanuts - what substitute would you recommend?
Vaishali Honawar
Hi Adam, would another nut, like cashewnut do? You could make a paste of cashewnuts or almonds and add. If that won't do, add a tablespoon of sugar and leave out the peanut butter. It would still taste awesome. 🙂
Adam
Hi Vaishali,
I just followed your suggestion and substituted cashew butter. Delicious!
I also stirred in a few roasted, unsalted cashews right before eating the stew. It was delicious and the crunch added a nice texture to offset the soft veggies.
So far, this is five recipes I've made from your site and all have been great. Thanks so much!
Icchic
I made this WONDERFUL stew and I absolutely loved it. Even my non-vegan husband loved it. Your recipes are beautiful and this was the first one I tried. I have since made the zucchini bread as well, which is equally incredible. I can't wait to try more! Thank you for your beautiful blog!
Alice
I loved this--but I replaced the water with coconut milk. I've been on a real coconut kick lately. Very fragrant recipe!
Glenda
I love sweet potatoes! This is a wonderfully intriguing idea. I cannot wait to try this! Thanks!
Sarah (GF vegan)
This looks so good! I may, in fact, make it for dinner tonight 🙂
Kiersten
Sounds delicious! I can't wait to give this recipe a try/
Deena
What a tasty-sounding dish! I love sweet potato stews. Yum.
PCRM is such a great organization. Do you know if there's any employment opportunities there now? I'm moving to DC soon and would love the chance to work at an organization with such strong ethics. I have experience in academic medical research (thankfully, never with animals--just datasets) and have spent a lot of time this past year volunteering at a local farm animal sanctuary.
All the best, Deena (deena dot loeffler at gmail dot com)
AMA's AnythingVegetarian
Can't wait to try .Lovely Healthy Combo.I am happy that you are able to work in a field that you adore and what it means to you.
veganfoody
I made something very similar last month: see my blog post here
It was absolutely wonderful! Sweet potato and peanut is definitely a combination I'd recommend.
And I'm so jealous about your job too!
Carrie
Yum! That sounds like something I would really like!
Sanjeeta kk
Love the sweet potato, normally boil or bake it for my cooking. This dish looks a good try for my next meal. Thanks for sharing. Best wishes.
Preeti @ heart and mind
Vaishali,
I was wondering how was everything at home and work as I had not seen your post in awhile and I came here to find a another nice recipe.
I think PCRM is great! I like this recipe and your tweaks to it, I like hearty meal like this and will make it soon as I think I have most ingredients at home.
Have a great weekend.
RV
Sweet potato n Peanuts, sounds like a stew with amazing and surprising flavors... Looks delicious..
Vaishali
BB, Thanks, it really is simple.
Sharmila, would be perfect for a rainy day. What a lovely thought 🙂
Vanamala, Tiffany, Thanks.
Moondancer, that stew sounds delicious. And yes, PCRM does put out a lot of great information on the health benefits of a vegan diet.
Kitchenwitch, T, Eatingmatters: Thanks!
Vegirl, Welcome, and thanks for your thoughtful words. I am thrilled to learn you're eating by the four food groups. Have you seen PCRM's Power Plate website? It's , and it's full of great resources. The Plate's such a great alternative to the USDA's outdated food pyramid.
GlutenFree, Sounds like a great plan 🙂 Hope you like it!
Usha, Veggiebelly, Ameya, Thanks!
Ameya
Very unique. I love peanuts with regular potatoes, and Im sure they'll taste fabulous with sweet potato as well!
Veggie Belly
I love seeing African recipes on the blogosphere because its such a under represented cuisine. Love this sweet potato - peanut stew, sounds very filling and yummy !
Usha
Love the combination of ingredients in this stew. I am definitely going to give this one a try with the peanuts !
I Am Gluten Free
This looks so delicious, so easy, and so gluten free. Right up my alley! Thanks - I know what we're having for Shabbat dinner tonight. Just got to get my gluten free challah in the oven and done!
VEGirl
HI there! I'm SO happy I stumbled upon your blog, I love it! I am a 14 year old vegan (with a couple allergies as well). I love animals and I work on behalf of them in any way I can. Your recipes are fantastic and I can't wait to keep browsing ans try one!
You say you work for PCRM. So cool! I love all of Dr. Barnard's books, and all the info available on the site. I eat according to the four food groups and I love to cook and create recipes, so recipes on my blog adhere to that way of eating. I want to make my creations available for all (including those with chronic diseases) to enjoy.
Love love love your blog, and keep it up!
VEGirl
eatingmatters
Looks so satisfying and creamy! Am adding this to my to-try list 🙂
T
This looks rich creamy and delicious! I love the way you replaced the coriander- i don't love that spice so much.
And how cool that you work for PCRM! I've been checking their website for years and find them so inspiring.
Kitchen Witch
Mmm. I love this stew, I used to make it alot. I should make it again soon.
PCRM is a great organization. I first found out about them only about a year ago at the animal law conference in Portland. Such a great force in the movement.
Moondancer
I love African peanut stew. It's something I ate as a child, passed onto my mother by her mother.
A few years ago, I made an African peanut stew at a local Earth Save potluck. Many had never eaten that before, it did't last. 🙂
The PCRM, must be a great place to work, Over the years, I've read a lot of information from this organization.
Tiffany
That is so awesome that you are able to work in a field that is truly meaningful for you! 🙂 The fact that the recipes are healthy and delicious is such a plus. This one sounds fabulous; I love sweet potatoes and nuts in general, so I'm sure this is my type of dish.
Vanamala Hebbar
New to me...simple recipe nice
Sharmila
Now that's a new combination for me ... sweet poatato and peanuts. But I love peanuts cooked in a gravy or dals or boiled. Looks very wholesome ... perfect with some hard crust bread on dreary rainy evenings like we are having these days. 🙂
BangaloreBaker
Looks good. Simple ingredients for anyone to try this out.