Mafé

Mafé

Mafé (mah-FAY)

Peanut Butter Stew

Prep Time 70 min
📈 Difficulty Medium
👥 Servings
6
🔥 Calories 484 kcal

Hearty beef and vegetable stew in a thick, savoury peanut sauce enriched with tomatoes and root vegetables.

Nutrition & Info

490 kcal per serving
Protein 30.0g
Carbs 28.0g
Fat 28.0g
Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

gluten-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ peanuts

Equipment Needed

large pot wooden spoon

Presentation Guide

Vessel: deep serving bowl

Garnishes: chopped peanuts

Accompaniments: rice, gozo

Instructions

  1. 1

    Brown beef cubes in vegetable oil in a large pot over high heat. Remove and set aside.

  2. 2

    Sauté onion and garlic until golden. Add chopped tomatoes and tomato paste, cook for eight minutes.

  3. 3

    Stir in peanut butter and beef stock, whisking until smooth and fully incorporated.

  4. 4

    Return beef to the pot. Add sweet potatoes, carrots, salt, and cayenne pepper.

  5. 5

    Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered for forty-five minutes until beef is tender and vegetables are cooked through.

  6. 6

    The sauce should be thick and glossy. Serve over rice or with gozo.

💡

Did You Know?

Mafé crossed into Central Africa from West Africa through trade routes and has become fully adopted.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

  • large pot
  • wooden spoon

Garnishing

chopped peanuts

Accompaniments

rice, gozo

The Story Behind Mafé

Mafé is a rich peanut stew that migrated to Central Africa along Sahelian trade routes, becoming a beloved staple. Beef is browned and simmered with sweet potatoes, carrots, and cabbage in a thick peanut and tomato sauce. The dish exemplifies how culinary traditions flow across African borders.

On the Calendar: A regular lunch dish, especially popular during the cooler harmattan season.

Then & Now: Central African versions tend to be spicier and heavier on palm oil than their West African cousins.

Legacy: Mafé is proof that the best dishes know no borders — adopted, adapted, and loved across Central Africa.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed lunch 📜 Origins: West-Central African cross-cultural tradition

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