Healthy Stew Recipe

A lot of people have made New Year's resolutions to eat healthier. I know I used to do that years ago. But little by little, over the years, my husband and I have managed to compile a yummy supply of healthy recipes that we love to eat on a regular basis. Then we don't feel so bad when we do eat the not-so-good-for-you stuff!

We both became vegetarians about 9 years ago. I am a strict vegetarian, but he eats salmon for the health benefits. Heart disease runs in his family, so I'm always on the lookout for healthy and delicious recipes that we both enjoy. And I have autoimmune diseases that flare up now and then, so I figure if I can at least do everything within my power to stay healthy, darn tootin' I will!

Here's a recipe that's a bit exotic, but so rich and satisfying you'd never know how healthy it was. I just made this tonight, and didn't think of blogging it till I was putting the leftovers in this bowl!

West African Peanut Stew

Serves 4

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 large onion, chopped

2 jalapeños, seeded and chopped

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1-1/2 cups low sodium vegetable broth

1 cup water

2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into bite-sized chunks

2 plum tomatoes, or 1 large tomato, diced

1/2 cup natural peanut butter

1 can low sodium black beans, drained and rinsed

1 cup frozen corn

5 oz. fresh spinach, roughly chopped

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In a large pot, heat the olive oil and sauté the onions and jalapeño for about 3 minutes. Add the cumin, ginger and cinnamon and cook 1 minute more.

Add the vegetable broth, water, sweet potatoes and tomatoes. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 15 minutes.

Add the peanut butter, black beans and corn. Stir well. The add as much spinach as you can fit in the pot, and when that has settled, add more! You can't get too much spinach! Simmer 10 minutes more.

If you like a bit more kick, leave the seeds in the jalapeños. Crunchy or creamy peanut butter... it doesn't matter as long as the only ingredient is peanuts! Sometimes I add some brown rice if I need to stretch it. If you're a meat eater, by all means use low sodium chicken stock if you want. This is a great winter recipe. Let me know if you try it and what you think!