Description
Mafe, also known as Maafe, is a traditional Senegalese peanut stew featuring tender beef simmered in a rich, creamy, and spicy peanut and tomato sauce. This heartwarming dish combines aromatic spices, robust tomato paste, and creamy peanut butter to create a unique and comforting flavor profile that is perfect for a satisfying main course.
Ingredients
Meat
- 2 lbs stew beef
Vegetables
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 onion
Sauces and Condiments
- ½ cup peanut butter
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon beef bouillon powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt, plus a pinch for browning the beef
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Liquids and Oils
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups stock/broth
Instructions
- Prepare the Beef: Wash the stew beef thoroughly and cut it into smaller, bite-sized pieces for even cooking and better flavor absorption.
- Heat the Oil: Pour ¼ cup of olive oil into a pan and warm it over medium heat until it’s hot but not smoking.
- Sauté the Beef: Add the beef pieces to the pan along with black pepper and a pinch of salt. Sauté the beef for 8 to 10 minutes until it’s browned and developing rich flavor.
- Chop Vegetables: While the beef cooks, finely chop the onion and the red bell pepper for the stew’s base.
- Add Vegetables: Add the chopped onions and red bell peppers to the beef in the pan. Sauté for another 3 minutes to soften the vegetables and meld the flavors.
- Incorporate Tomato Paste: Stir in 2 tablespoons of tomato paste and cook for about 5 minutes, allowing the tomato flavors to deepen and caramelize slightly.
- Add Liquids and Seasonings: Pour in 1 cup of water, 2 cups of stock or broth, then add 1 tablespoon of beef bouillon powder, 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, and 1 teaspoon of salt to taste. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
- Simmer the Stew: Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat to let it cook gently for 5 more minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the sauce to start thickening.
- Stir in Peanut Butter: Add the ½ cup of peanut butter to the stew and stir continuously until it is completely dissolved and evenly incorporated into the sauce.
- Thicken the Sauce: Let the stew cook for an additional 2 to 5 minutes until the sauce thickens to a creamy and luscious consistency.
- Serve: Serve the mafe hot, ideally with cauliflower rice or your preferred side, and enjoy the hearty, flavorful African peanut stew.
Notes
- You can substitute stew beef with lamb or chicken if preferred for a different protein option.
- Adjust the cayenne pepper to control the level of spiciness according to your taste.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the beef and use vegetable broth instead of beef stock.
- Cauliflower rice is a low-carb alternative that complements the rich peanut stew well.
- Ensure peanut butter is smooth for easier incorporation into the sauce.
