Mafé

Name: Mafé
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Guinea-Bissauan
Ingredients: 600g beef stew meat, cubed; 200g natural peanut butter; 3 medium tomatoes, chopped; 2 medium carrots, chunked; 1 large sweet potato, cubed; 1 medium eggplant, cubed; 2 large onions, diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 100ml vegetable oil; 1 scotch bonnet pepper; Salt to taste; 600ml water

Mafé (mah-FEH)

Groundnut Butter Stew

⏱ Prep Time 1 hour

📈 Difficulty Medium

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 524 kcal

A thick, creamy stew of beef simmered in a rich peanut butter sauce with root vegetables — West African comfort food perfected in Guinea-Bissau.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 30.0g

Carbs 38.0g

Fat 28.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

gluten-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ peanuts

Equipment Needed

large pot wooden spoon

Presentation Guide

Vessel: large communal bowl

Garnishes: chopped peanuts, palm oil drizzle

Accompaniments: steamed rice

Ingredients

600g beef stew meat, cubed
200g natural peanut butter
3 medium tomatoes, chopped
2 medium carrots, chunked
1 large sweet potato, cubed
1 medium eggplant, cubed
2 large onions, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp tomato paste
100ml vegetable oil
1 scotch bonnet pepper
Salt to taste
600ml water

Instructions

1
Season beef with salt. Heat oil in a large pot and brown beef in batches. Remove and set aside.
2
Sauté onions and garlic until golden. Add tomato paste and chopped tomatoes. Cook for 10 minutes.
3
Dissolve peanut butter in 200ml warm water. Add to the pot along with remaining water.
4
Return beef to pot. Add scotch bonnet pepper whole. Simmer for 30 minutes.
5
Add carrots, sweet potato, and eggplant. Cook for 20 more minutes until vegetables are tender.
6
Adjust salt and thickness. Serve over steamed rice.

💡

Did You Know?

Mafé is one of the few dishes that unites all ethnic groups in Guinea-Bissau — Fula, Mandinka, Balanta, and Papel families all claim their version is the best.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

large pot
wooden spoon

Garnishing

chopped peanuts, palm oil drizzle

Accompaniments

steamed rice

The Story Behind Mafé

Mafé has Mandinka origins and spread throughout West Africa via trade routes. In Guinea-Bissau, the dish became a cross-cultural staple, prepared by all ethnic groups with local variations. The Guinea-Bissauan version typically features a thicker, more concentrated peanut sauce compared to the Senegalese or Malian versions.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed lunch, communal meals 📜 Origins: Mandinka origin, centuries old

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