Cookbook:Ghanaian Peanut Soup (Nkatenkwan)

Ghanaian Peanut Soup (Nkatenkwan)
Category	Soup recipes
Servings	4
Time	50 minutes
Difficulty

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Nkatenkwan, a Ghanaian stew, is a comforting and flavorful dish that blends the nuttiness of peanuts or groundnuts with the richness of palm oil, tomatoes, mixed chiles, onions, garlic, and either meat or fish. Considered one of Ghana's beloved national dishes, nkatenkwan is commonly referred to as peanut butter soup or groundnut soup. Although its origins are attributed to the Hausa people, this delightful soup is enjoyed throughout the country.

Ingredients

• 3 lb bone-in chicken pieces
• 6 kpakpo shito chile peppers
• 2 whole onions
• 3 garlic cloves (optional)
• 1-inch piece fresh ginger
• 3 large ripe tomatoes
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 2 bay leaves
• ½ cup unsweetened peanut butter
• 2 cups water
• 10 okra pods

Procedure

1. Start by placing the chicken pieces in a pot. Leave the onions whole, but trim off the top and bottom edges before adding them to the pot.
2. Add the whole tomatoes to the pot, making sure to remove the tough cores. You can either grate the garlic and ginger or add them whole, as they will be processed later.
3. Add the bay leaves, kpakpo shito peppers, and chicken stock in the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil and then let it simmer until the chicken becomes tender.
4. While the soup is simmering, it's time to prepare the peanut sauce. Take another pot and combine the peanut butter with ½ cup water. Mix well to ensure the peanut butter blends smoothly with the water.
5. Place the peanut sauce over high heat and gradually add the remaining water. Allow it to simmer for about 20 minutes until the peanut oil rises to the surface.
6. Once the onions and tomatoes have softened, remove them from the broth and transfer them to a blender. For those who prefer a spicier soup, you can add some additional kpakpo shito peppers at this stage. Process the mixture in the blender until smooth, then pour it back into the soup and stir. Let it simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
7. Gently pour the peanut sauce into the soup and continue simmering for 15 minutes.
8. Briefly boil the head and tail of the okra before adding them to the soup,
9. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with salt and chili powder according to your preference.
10. Serve alongside fufu or your preferred accompaniment.