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There's been a lot of celebrating going on at The Café lately, with birthdays, reunions and all sorts of Christmas festivities. Oh, and of course, lots of indulgent treats to go along with the parties. A few days ago, I began to realize that my sweet tank* was quite full - in fact it was full to the brim! I was craving something healthy, flavorful and fun. Something unique and delicious that I could serve to guests, yet at the same time, use for quick, easy meals during this busy pre-Christmas week.
African Peanut Soup? Yes, and you'll never guess where I found the inspiration for this delightful recipe. I was thumbing through the Costco store monthly magazine and paused to read an article about their rotisserie chicken. We love their wonderful golden brown, perfectly cooked chicken and pick one up quite frequently to use for sandwiches, salads, soups, etc.
This particular article had letters from happy customers sharing their favorite ways of using the Costco rotisserie chicken. There was a pasta recipe, a chicken dip, a sandwich and several others, but the one that really caught my eye was one called Easy African Peanut Soup. Peanut soup? It sounded a bit strange, but as I read the list of ingredients, I was quite intrigued. I did a bit of research on African Peanut Soup and, while I didn't end up using the Costco recipe, it was definitely where I got my inspiration.
I know, I know, I really do know; you're thinking this combination of ingredients sounds quite strange. You're right, I thought the same thing! But PLEASE, try this! It is amazing; my husband and son-in-law were the first ones to try it and they both said, "WOW!" with the first bite. If you're looking for a delicious, fun, very flavorful entree, sure to bring rave reviews - this is IT!
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African Peanut Soup with Roasted Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium sweet onion, roughly chopped
- 1 medium yellow bell pepper, roughly chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled and roughly chopped
- 2 " piece ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground or crushed coriander seed
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon tumeric
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 quart low sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups peeled and roughly chopped carrots
- 16 ounce can peeled plum tomatoes
- 1 large sweet potato, peeled and roughly chopped
- ¼ cup roughly chopped cilantro, packed
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Sriracha chili sauce
- 1½ teaspoons salt, more to taste
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¾ cup peanut butter
- 1 can light coconut milk
- 2 cups shredded roasted chicken breast, rotisserie chicken is great
- cooked jasmine rice, for topping (I use ½ cup per serving)
- finely chopped bell pepper, any color, for topping
- finely chopped fresh cilantro, for topping
- roughly chopped salted peanuts, for topping
Instructions
- Heat oil over medium heat in a large stockpot or dutch oven. Add onions and pepper and sauté until soft and translucent. Add garlic, ginger and spices and continue to sauté for 2 more minutes.
- Add the chicken stock, carrots, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, cilantro, brown sugar, Sriacha, salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer and cook for 45 minutes until all veggies are super tender.
- Add coconut milk and peanut butter and puree with a stick blender or a regular blender. If using a regular blender, be sure to allow mixture to cool a bit before pureeing.
- Add roasted chicken and cook for another minute or two until chicken is heated through. Ladle into bowls and garnish with a scoop of rice and a sprinkle of the chopped bell pepper, cilantro and peanuts.
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This soup sounds fabulous! I just read the ingredients to my husband and he declared we would have to try it. We both love Thai with their coconut milk in Panang Curry and peanut butter in Thai satays so it looks like a win-win for us. Thanks for all your wonderful recipes.
Where I lived (in Mali, West Africa), the method is slightly different: one must first add tomato paste, after sautéing the veggies, then add the peanut butter, and only then add the stock. It must be cooked for a fairly long time, until the peanut butter is thoroughly cooked and the oil rises to the top.
Thanks Zoe for the local touch. This was sooo yummy! I pureed 1/2 and ate the other as is. Both were great
pinning this...can't wait to try it!
What a gorgeous bowl of soup Chris. I love how you've plated the rice on top instead of underneath.
Sam
Just HAD to tell you that my daughter made this soup for dinner last night. It is awesome!! I had 2 bowls...and I really wanted a third, but I decided to save some so I could have it for lunch today.
What a totally delicious meal! Thank you so much for sharing.
(By the way, I think you ought to have your own cooking show!!)
Blessings,
Patti
I have pinned this one and cannot wait to try it!!
Chris, looking at this soup makes me hungry! And even though I don't eat peanuts, I would try a spoon or two. 🙂
Your pictures are always so tempting and awesome looking!! Great recipe..
Oh my this looks incredible. Wonderful combination of flavors! Plus peanuts are one of my fave things to eat 😛
This looks like a satisfying soup.
Love the idea of this soup. The flavors sound like they would go very well together, and it just looks gorgeous!
Hi Chris, something new to me but your comfort soup look superb. Love the combination, it so look delicious.
Have a lovely day ahead,regards.
Amelia
That sounds fantastic Chris. I love the flavors here. Just the right amount of spice and heat to pair with the peanut taste.
What a glorious, tasty & very festive good for you soup!
It is like a good meal in 1 bowl!!
Yummmmmm!
This soup sounds so interesting and good. I want to try it too, if your family loved it at first bite I'm sure I would love it too.
Your son's "Tank Theory" is spot-on! 😀
This soup looks exotic and spectacular! Just the right amount of spice needed during this chilly time of year.
WOW! I haven't tried African Peanut Soup yet. Looks interesting, especially the element of heat in it...! My kind of food...spice-filled! Your presentation makes me want to lunge into my screen and take a huge slurp - so delicious...!
yeah, never come across this combination especially peanut butter in the soup..this looks great and i like the rich colour!..that's a very smart 'tank' theory!
Oh I'm making this - and I'm doubling the recipe because I don't think I want anything else!
Mary x
What a lovely soup, and I just love the warm rich color! I bet a veggie version would be delightful as well 🙂
I totally agree with your son Chris! I have a separate dessert stomach. I can be soo full from dinner but I can nearly always find room for dessert if it's something good.
This does sound like an interesting soup but I'm sure the flavours combine into something wonderful.
I've heard of this soup before but had completely forgotten about it. Thanks for the reminder! Your version looks terrific. And I love the idea of a sweet tank - I can put that concept to good use! Terrific photo up top - super food styling.
A very flavourful and satisfying soup! My husband is a huge fan of peanuts and I am very sure he will be very happy to have this as his dinner.
I'm sooooo curious about the taste of this soup! I'm bookmarking this recipe so I can try it during the Holidays!
Wow, I'm thinking I'd need to get a reserve healthy tank so I can eat twice as much of this soup. It sounds amazing.
I have gad a similar soup so can attest to the fact that it is delicious.
Thx for the recipe! I've made this today, and its really good! In my variation, i added some lime when served, a must for me..
Wow, this soup looks amazingly good...and healthy! I love your son's theory, it seems to be the one my son wants to live by but he has a tough mom who went through the same phase 😉 Happy Holidays Chris!
I have heard of peanut soup before but never have had it. I'll be making it sound as the flavor must be wonderful.
All of these flavors sound wonderful.
(I have OD'ed on sweet stuff too. I would much rather make savory dishes during the holidays. May add this to my repertoire.)
This sounds absolutely divine- all of those flavors together make for a delicious combination. I've had peanut soup, but this sounds even better. 🙂
I would love every drop of this!
Perfect for a cold, rainy day! Reminds me of Disneyland too...
I encourage everyone to try this. The first time I heard of this I thought it sounded disgusting. I mean peanut butter, tomatoes, and peppers, yuck, but someone I trust said it was delicious, so I gave it a try. Oh my goodness this is so good I couldn’t stop eating it. I have only had the vegetarian version made with chickpeas. I will have to try this with the chicken.
I agree with your son. No matter what I have had I need a tiny sweet to complete the meal or I feel deprived.
Ooh this sounds so good with the coconut milk, peanut butter and sriracha. Plus the photo makes it very inviting. Nice recipe. I'll have to save this to try when the weather gets cold out again.
I have never sampled an African peanut soup, but you've never lead me astray, Chris! It's certainly gorgeous and there's a definite chill in the air 🙂
I think those flavors sound wonderful together. What a perfect soup for a chilly day!
Love your son's idea of tanks. It's true I believe.
What a great soup and one I don't think I've ever tasted. Love the peanuts in it and the presentation is fantastic.
Sam
What a beautiful and unique soup - a must try. I love how you found the inspiration - it is true that inspiration is all around us, we just have to be aware! Happy Saturday!
This soup looks wonderful, Chris! I love the flavors!
It sounds delicious and looks beautiful. I have everything at hand except for the cilantro and peanuts. I even have the chili sauce! What a good-sounding soup for a chilly December night.
This is a masterpiece, Chris! I love the sound of it all, the peanuts, the coconut milk, the spices, it sounds fabulous. Oh, and I've known about the tank theory for years, just didn't know it had a name!
Another beautiful soup-you really are a good soup recipe finder;-) With all the holiday eating a bowl of soup for dinner sounds just perfect to me;-)
Oh, my stars, does this sound divine! I love peanut butter and coconut milk. And though I don't know much about turmeric, I suspect it has curry-like qualities, since the soup is that beautiful curry powder color. I LOVE curry...can never get enough of it. I am definitely going to try this soup.
I second how delicious this soup is, Chris. It's one of my favorites. Your recipe has a few more ingredients than mine and I can't wait to try your version. If your readers are looking for an absolutely delicious soup THIS IS IT!
It's like you know me!!! 🙂 The soup is absolutely perfect!!! Funny where we get some creative recipe ideas from! Gotta love Costco! Have a wonderful weekend!!