Recipe of the Week: Senegalese Peanut Soup

image credit:melodrama

Today the Recipe of the Week post will be a Thanksgiving, turkey, pumpkin and sweet potato free zone. I thought I would give you something to cook that involves a minimal amount of effort after all that work yesterday as well as giving you an entirely different type of flavour from that traditional feast.

I really loved this soup - fast, easy, delicious, everything I look for in a recipe. I took if from Vegetable Soups by Deborah Madison and she suggests that you can toss in some cooked rice, or us it over tofu. I used stock, rather than water, just for a little added depth. If you have a peanut allergy, just omit the peanut butter, the soup is still great.Senegalese Peanut Soup

1 to 2 tbsp peanut oil1 large onion, diced1 large garlic clove, minced1/4 cup chopped cilantro stems (I just tossed in the whole thing, leaves and all)1/4 to 1/2 tsp cayenne or hot red pepper flakes, to taste2 tbsp curry powder3 cups vegetable or chicken stock, or water1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes2/3 cup peanut butter, preferably organic and unsweetened1 cup coconut milk, sea salt2 tbsp chopped cilantro for garnishyogurt

1. Heat the oil in a soup pot, then add the onion, garlic, and cilantro stems. Give a stir, then cook over high heat for a few minutes to warm the onion. Lower the heat to medium and cook until the onion has softened somewhat, 10 to 12 minutes. Stir in the cayenne and curry powder.2. Add 3 cups of water and the tomatoes, including all their juices. Stir well and bring to a boil. Drop in the peanut butter and simmer until the onions are soft and the peanut butter has dissolved, about 15 minutes. Stir in the coconut milk. Season the soup with salt.3. Just before serving, add the chopped cilantro. Serve with a dollop of yogurt in each bowl.

Makes about 7 cups

This recipe is from Vegetable Soups from Deborah Madison's Kitchen.