Spicy Tunisian Yam and Red Bean Comfort Stew
This delightful Spicy Tunisian Yam and Red Bean Comfort Stew draws inspiration from the rich culinary traditions of Tunisia, offering a perfect harmony of texture and flavor. The combination of creamy yams and hearty red beans creates a satisfying base, while the addition of aromatic spices and fresh ingredients provides a tantalizing warmth. This stew is not only comforting on chilly evenings but also brings a zesty brightness that pairs beautifully with a light accompaniment in warm weather. Serve it over fluffy steamed couscous or with crusty spongy bread for a complete meal. Don’t be deterred by the seemingly lengthy list of ingredients; the prep time is minimal—a little chopping is all you need to do! For maximum convenience, prepare your stew in advance and wake up to delightful aromas emanating from your slow cooker, making dinner time a breeze.
8
Servings
225
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
small dried red beans
1/2 cup (soaked overnight (or 1 can of small red beans, drained))
large onion
1 (chopped)
large red bell peppers
2 (chopped)
garlic cloves
3 (minced)
fresh ginger
2 tablespoons (minced)
yams
2 lbs (peeled and chopped into 1/2-inch cubes)
vegetable stock
3 cups (or water)
large tomatoes
2 (diced (or 1 (14 ounce) can diced low-sodium tomatoes))
jalapeno pepper
1-3 (minced (to preference))
salt
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon (ground)
ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon (ground)
ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon (ground)
ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (ground)
creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup (for mixing)
dry roasted peanuts
1/4 cup (for topping)
lime
1 (cut into wedges for serving)
Instructions
1
The night before serving, soak the dried red beans in water to cover. If using canned beans, you can skip this step.
2
In your slow cooker, combine the chopped onion, red bell peppers, minced garlic, minced ginger, chopped yams, vegetable stock (or water), diced tomatoes, minced jalapeno (adjust to your desired heat), salt, ground cumin, ground coriander, ground cinnamon, and ground black pepper.
3
Stir the mixture well to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed. If you've soaked the beans overnight, drain and add them to the slow cooker; if using canned beans, just add them directly.
4
Give the stew a good stir to incorporate all ingredients, then cover and set your slow cooker to low heat for 8-10 hours, until the yams and beans are tender and the flavors are melded together.
5
About 15 minutes before you're ready to serve, ladle some liquid from the stew into a bowl and mix in the creamy peanut butter until well combined. Pour this mixture back into the slow cooker and stir well.
6
When serving, garnish each bowl with a generous sprinkle of dry roasted peanuts and a squeeze of fresh lime juice for a refreshing touch.
Nutrition Information
5.25g
Fat
37.5g
Carbs
7g
Protein
3.75g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Spicy Tunisian Yam and Red Bean Comfort Stew?
It is a hearty, flavorful stew inspired by Tunisian culinary traditions, featuring creamy yams, hearty red beans, and aromatic spices.
Is this stew recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is vegetarian as it uses vegetable stock and plant-based ingredients like yams and beans.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes 8 servings.
What is the total cooking time in a slow cooker?
The stew should be cooked on low heat for 8 to 10 hours until the yams and beans are tender.
Can I use canned beans instead of dried beans?
Yes, you can substitute the 1/2 cup of dried red beans with one 14-ounce can of small red beans, drained.
Do I need to soak the dried red beans?
Yes, if you are using dried beans, they should be soaked in water overnight before being added to the slow cooker.
How many calories are in one serving of this stew?
There are approximately 225 calories in a single serving.
What is the protein content per serving?
Each serving contains 7 grams of protein.
Is this stew spicy?
Yes, the stew has a spicy kick from minced jalapeno peppers and warming spices like cumin and coriander.
How can I adjust the spiciness of the recipe?
You can adjust the heat level by using between 1 and 3 minced jalapeno peppers based on your personal preference.
What side dishes pair well with this stew?
This stew is traditionally served over fluffy steamed couscous or with crusty spongy bread.
How should I prepare the yams for this recipe?
The yams should be peeled and chopped into 1/2-inch cubes before being added to the slow cooker.
When should the peanut butter be added?
The creamy peanut butter should be mixed in about 15 minutes before you are ready to serve the stew.
How do I incorporate the peanut butter into the stew?
Ladle some liquid from the slow cooker into a bowl, mix it with the peanut butter until well combined, then pour it back into the pot and stir.
What garnishes are suggested for this dish?
Each bowl should be garnished with a sprinkle of dry roasted peanuts and a fresh squeeze of lime juice.
Can I substitute vegetable stock with water?
Yes, the recipe allows for the use of either 3 cups of vegetable stock or 3 cups of water.
What spices are used in the Tunisian flavor profile?
The stew features ground cumin, ground coriander, ground cinnamon, and ground black pepper.
Does this recipe use fresh ginger?
Yes, the recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of minced fresh ginger.
Can I use canned tomatoes instead of fresh ones?
Yes, you can use one 14-ounce can of diced low-sodium tomatoes instead of 2 large fresh tomatoes.
How much fat is in one serving?
Each serving contains 5.25 grams of fat.
What is the fiber content of this recipe?
Each serving provides 3.75 grams of dietary fiber.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 37.5 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What kind of onion should I use?
The recipe requires one large onion, chopped.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
You will need 3 minced garlic cloves for this stew.
Is this recipe good for meal prep?
Yes, it is tagged for meal prep and can be easily prepared in advance in a slow cooker.
What is the purpose of the lime juice garnish?
The lime juice provides a refreshing touch and adds a zesty brightness to the warm, spicy flavors.
How large should the yam cubes be?
The yams should be cut into approximately 1/2-inch cubes for even cooking.
Does this stew contain any peanuts?
Yes, it contains creamy peanut butter mixed into the sauce and dry roasted peanuts as a topping.
Is the preparation for this stew difficult?
No, the prep time is minimal and only requires a small amount of chopping before the slow cooker takes over.
What is the texture of the finished stew?
The stew has a satisfyingly creamy texture from the yams and peanut butter, balanced by hearty red beans.