African Almond Butter Vegetable Stew

This is one of my favorite stews on a chilly night. Feel free to add additional vegetables you enjoy.

African Almond Butter Vegetable Stew 

Ingredients

1. 1 1/2 cups yellow onion, chopped
2. 1 cup carrot, peeled (or scrubbed) and chopped
3. 1 cup celery, chopped (optional)
4. 2 tablespoon fresh garlic, minced
5. 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, peeled and minced
6. 1 tablespoon curry powder
7. 1/2 tablespoon ground cumin
8. 2 cups diced tomatoes with juice (jarred or canned)
9. 4 cups reduced-sodium vegetable broth
10. 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cubed (about 2 cups)
11. 1/4 cup creamy or crunchy natural peanut butter, almond butter or other nut butter, organic preferred
12. 1/4 cup fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
13. sea salt to taste
14. *hot red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. On  low heat let onions sweat until soft, in a large stock pot or dutch oven
2. Add carrots and celery and let cook until soft and translucent, about 8-10 minutes. If they start to burn add enough water or broth to cover the bottom of pan.
3. Add garlic, ginger, red pepper flakes and curry powder and cumin; sauté about 1 minute.
4. Add tomatoes and cook for 2 to 3 minutes to reduce the liquid a bit.
5. Add broth, sweet potatoes and bring the mixture to a boil; 6-8 minutes.
6. Reduce heat and simmer for 25-30 minutes until the sweet potatoes and vegetables are soft and the stew begins to thicken. Add the almond (or peanut) butter; stir to combine and simmer for 3-5 minutes. The stew will thicken further at this point.
7. Add cilantro. Cook about 2 minutes.
8. Season with salt.
9. Garnish with Almonds