Entree: Senegal – Northern Senegal – Domoda (West African peanut and tomato meat stew with root vegetables)
Serving Size: 4
Approximate Time
Prep
15 min
Cook
45 min
Total
1 hr
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) vegetable oil
- 1.5 lb (680 g) beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tsp (5 g) salt
- 1/2 tsp (2 g) black pepper
- 2 medium onions, about 8 oz (225 g), chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, about 9 g, minced
- 2 tbsp (30 g) tomato paste
- 2 cups (480 ml) beef stock
- 1 cup (240 g) smooth peanut butter (natural or roasted)
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, about 1 lb (450 g), peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 medium carrots, about 6 oz (170 g), sliced on the diagonal
- 1 whole hot pepper (Scotch bonnet or habanero), optional
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp (5 g) smoked paprika or mild chili powder
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) chopped fresh cilantro for garnish
- Cooked white rice, to serve
Instructions
1. Heat the vegetable oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Season the beef with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper and brown in batches until well seared; transfer browned pieces to a plate.
2. Reduce heat to medium, add the chopped onions and cook 6–8 minutes until soft and beginning to brown. Add the garlic and tomato paste and cook 1–2 minutes, stirring, to develop the tomato flavor.
3. Return the beef to the pot, add the beef stock, peanut butter, smoked paprika, and bay leaf. Whisk or stir vigorously until the peanut butter dissolves into a smooth sauce and bring to a gentle simmer.
4. Add the sweet potatoes, carrots, and the whole hot pepper if using. Partially cover and simmer gently for 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
5. Remove the whole hot pepper and bay leaf. Stir in the lemon or lime juice and adjust seasoning with remaining salt and pepper to taste. If the sauce is too thick, add a little more stock or water to reach desired consistency.
6. Serve Domoda hot over cooked white rice and garnish with chopped cilantro.
