5 must-try peanut dishes
What's the story
African cuisine is a colorful blend of flavors and fragrances, with peanuts featuring prominently in a number of traditional dishes. These dishes not only showcase the versatility of peanuts but also the rich culinary heritage from all over the continent. From spicy stews to delicious snacks, every dish promises a unique tasting experience, reflecting the cultural diversity of Africa. Here are five aromatic African peanut dishes that show this diversity and richness in taste.
Groundnut stew
West African groundnut stew
West African groundnut stew is a filling delicacy with peanuts as its main ingredient. The stew usually features vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, and sweet potatoes, making it a rich and delicious meal. Spices such as ginger and garlic add to its aroma, making it a favorite in Ghana and Nigeria. Served with rice or fufu, this stew is both wholesome and delicious.
Maafe Delight
Senegalese maafe
Maafe is a traditional Senegalese dish characterized by its creamy peanut sauce. It mixes vegetables such as carrots and cabbage with spices such as cumin for an aromatic combination. The creaminess of the sauce goes well with the ingredients, making for a comforting meal typically served with rice or couscous. Maafe is popular across borders owing to its delicious taste.
Peanut soup
Tanzanian peanut soup
Tanzanian peanut soup is another simple yet delectable dish that brings out the nutty flavor of peanuts beautifully. Prepared by blending roasted peanuts into a fine paste, it uses coconut milk for extra creaminess. Spices like turmeric make this soup warm and comforting, which makes it perfect for cold days. It is usually paired with chapati or bread.
Peanut butter rice
Nigerian peanut butter rice
Nigerian peanut butter rice has an innovative take on traditional rice dishes. Here, peanut butter is added while cooking to create an aromatic mixture where each grain soaks in the nutty flavor but retains its texture. Usually served with vegetables or plantains on the side, this dish packs nutrition and taste in every bite.
Sim sim balls
Ugandan Sim Sim Balls
Sim sim balls are popular Ugandan snacks made from sesame seeds mixed with honey or sugar syrup and rolled into small balls, which are then coated in crushed roasted peanuts for additional crunchiness. They offer sweetness balanced by nuttiness from both sesame seeds and crushed roasted nuts, making them perfect companions during tea time breaks throughout day-to-day activities.