Ghanaian Nkatenkwan (Groundnut Soup)

Ingredients

• 2 lbs Chicken pieces (thighs and drumsticks)
• 1 cup Natural creamy peanut butter (unsweetened)
• 3 tbsp Tomato paste
• 1 large Red onion, finely diced
• 2 tbsp Fresh ginger, grated
• 4 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
• 2 whole Scotch bonnet or Habanero pepper
• 6 cups Chicken broth or water
• 1 cup Canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 cubes Bouillon cube (Maggi or Knorr)
• 1 tsp Smoked paprika(optional)
• 1 tsp Salt

Instructions

1. 1

   Season the chicken with salt, half the ginger, and half the garlic; steam in a large pot with a splash of water for 10 minutes until partially cooked.

2. 2

   In a separate small saucepan, mix the peanut butter with 1 cup of water and the tomato paste, stirring constantly over medium heat until the oil begins to separate on the surface.

3. 3

   Add the diced onions, remaining ginger, and remaining garlic to the pot with the chicken and sauté for 5 minutes until fragrant.

4. 4

   Pour the crushed tomatoes and the prepared peanut butter mixture into the large pot with the chicken.

5. 5

   Add the chicken broth, bouillon cubes, and the whole scotch bonnet peppers (do not cut them if you want less heat).

6. 6

   Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 45 minutes.

7. 7

   Stir occasionally to prevent the peanut base from sticking to the bottom of the pot; the soup is ready when a thin layer of red oil settles on top.

8. 8

   Remove the whole peppers before serving and adjust salt to taste.