Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Spicy Peanut Stew with Cool Cucumber Sauce



This is an extremely addictive recipe. EXTREMELY! As winter is (hopefully) winding down, you may want to make this warm comfort stew before spring is fully upon us. With the weather around here sure to remain chilly or bitter cold for a few more weeks, you must try this recipe. You will NOT be disappointed. Even my meat-eating boyfriend has enjoyed this. It quickly became a family staple for my parents, and it is said to have been enjoyed by several small children! Note, it is not very spicy at all, just very flavorful, healthy and extremely delicious!

Stew Ingredients
2 TBS olive oil
1 medium white onion (diced, about 1 cup)
1 celery stalk, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1 TBS grated fresh ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 TBS)
1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch chunks (about 2 cups)
1 14.5 oz can of diced tomatoes with green chiles
1 lb butternut or acorn squash cut into 1/2 inch cubes (about 3 cups)
1/2 lb cauliflower florets (about 4 cups)
1/2 - 1 cup peanut butter (depending on how thick and peanuty you want it)
6 cups brown rice
1 head watercress, steams removed (optional as garnish)
Crushed peanuts (optional garnish)

Cucumber Sauce Ingredients

1 cucumber peeled, seeded, diced
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1 jalapeno pepper, stemmed, seeded, minced
2 TBS lime juice
1 TBS grated fresh ginger
1/2 tsp. salt

(I often double this because I love the sauce so much and I tend to load it on the stew).

Directions
  1. Heat oil in large pot over medium low heat. Add onion, celery, garlic and ginger. Cook until soft.
  2. Add sweet potato and can of tomatoes. Increase heat to medium and cook 5 minutes.
  3. Stir in 2 cups water, season with salt and pepper. Simmer partially covered for 10 minutes.
  4. Add squash and cauliflower and cook 15 minutes more or until veggies are tender.
  5. Whisk together peanut butter and 1 cup warm water in small bowl, add to stew and cook until thickened.
  6. Serve over rice and add watercress, crushed roasted peanuts and cool cucumber sauce.
  7. For cucumber sauce: combine all ingredients in a small bowl.

Serves 6 and has just 210 calories per serving!

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