You know how sometimes you have really crisp, distinct memories of nothing in particular?
I barely remember what I ate for lunch yesterday, but for some reason, I have a very clear memory of making peanut soup in our old home back in Wisconsin.
I was frozen to the bone after getting home from work and looking out the kitchen window, I could see the snow falling in the street lights. I remember getting the cilantro out of the crisper drawer, measuring out the peanut butter, and chopping the onions.
So now, I always associate peanut soup with cold weather and snowy evenings. Which kind of makes it perfect for January, right?
This particular African Peanut Soup recipe is from The 30 Minute Vegan: Soup's On!
But the best part is that almost all the soups come together in 30 minutes or less. Yes, you can have soup for dinner in 30 minutes!
If you resolved to make more home cooked meatless meals in the New Year, this is the kind of cookbook you need--these are doable recipes, not the fussy kind that you need to make on a Sunday afternoon. These are after work recipes!
Peanut soup is not exactly the lightest soup, but this recipe includes an option for trimming things down a little bit by using less coconut milk.
I made the non-light version because even though this African Peanut Soup is pretty calorie-dense, it's also very filling, so I don't feel the need to go back for seconds.
The chunks of sweet potatoes are perfect with the creamy, peanutty base. Although the book recommends garnishing with a Red Pepper Coulis, we loved it with just a scattering of cilantro and chopped peanuts on top.
From the book The 30 Minute Vegan Soup’s On! by Mark Reinfeld. Excerpted by arrangement with Da Capo Lifelong, a member of the Perseus Books Group. Copyright (c) 2013. www.dacapopresscookbooks.com
Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups vegetable stock or water2 15-ounce cans coconut milk1 cup diced yellow onion½ cup diced celery4 large garlic cloves, pressed or minced1 teaspoon seeded and diced hot chile pepper4 cups chopped sweet potato (½-inch pieces)1 ½ cups chopped tomato (½-inch pieces) or 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced fire-roasted tomatoes2 teaspoons sea salt, or to taste¼ teaspoon ground black pepperPinch of cayenne pepper1 tablespoon wheat-free tamari or other soy sauce (optional)1 tablespoon Berbere spice mix (optional)¾ cup creamy or crunchy peanut butter2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro½ cup roasted unsalted peanuts, for garnish
Instructions
- Place the vegetable stock in a 3-quart pot over medium-high heat. Add all the remaining ingredients, except the peanut butter, cilantro, and peanuts, and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.Remove about 1 cup of the liquid and place it into a small bowl. Add the peanut butter and stir until creamy. Return the mixture to the pot, stir well, and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.Add the cilantro, stir well, and garnish with peanuts before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally published on January 16, 2014.
marquis @realrawkitchen says
This looks so good! I love that it's a totally different take on soup than anything I've ever tried. I'll enter the giveaway for the book but I'm pretty interested in getting it anyway 🙂
I also have pretty distinct memories of nothing in particular. I love them because they are times in my life that I will probably one day miss. I have memories of when I first discovered juicing and how I would stand in my apartment late at night prepping all the veggies for juicing the next morning. They are actually my favorite memories of my days as a single woman! Or when I first moved in with my boyfriend (now husband) and how he would quietly eat the raw meals I would make him in a silent "support" of my lifestyle (though he was not a fan), my mushroom soup in particular .. haha I feel like I will miss those days in a few years.
Kiersten Frase says
I kind of wish I had more memories of significant things (like vacations! and my wedding!), but I do think it's kind of fun to have those oddball memories that stick with you for whatever reason. Oh, and there are some raw recipes in the cookbook too!
anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
I've never had peanut soup but I think I need to rectify that!
Julia Mueller says
I MUST try this soup, and I must get my hot little hands on that book! I absolutely love soup and being able to make it in t - 30 is a dream come true for me. I'm not gonna lie, I'd probably eat some sort of peanut butter and jelly grilled cheese apparatus alongside this bowl... 😉
Kiersten Frase says
Eat alllllll the peanut butter!
Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health says
one of my friend made this for our class and ever since I have been hooked. loved the rich flavors here.
Elisa @ Insalata di Sillabe says
I'm all about soups during winter months and this particular one sounds totally new to me. Can't wait to give it a go!
xo, Elisa
Kiersten Frase says
I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
Definitely a must try for me too.
Sylvia says
This soup looks fantastic for a winter night, but I'd even make it in the summer. Will have to make this so I can get out of the habit of the same old soups all the time. I think I'd even add some rice noodles and make it as the main course for dinner. Love it!
Kiersten Frase says
The book suggests serving with rice or quinoa, so you might want to try that too!
AManda says
Exact same thing happened to me, with the exact same soup! I had this in Maine 4 years ago and have craved it every since! Thanks soooooo much!!!
Kiersten Frase says
Hmm, it must be something about peanut soup then! 🙂 It IS a pretty amazing soup.
Rosie says
The soup looks delicious! I've put the recipe on my MUST MAKE list.
Kiersten Frase says
I hope you like it! 😀
Ashley says
I've never had peanut soup but man, this sounds delicious with the sweet potato and all the spices! Plus I am always looking for quick meal ideas!
Kiersten Frase says
You totally need to try it! It's one of my favorite soups. 🙂
Emma says
oooh this looks beautiful! I made peanut soup ages ago and loved it but can't for the life of me remember where I got the recipe. Oh well, I have a new one to try now 🙂
I'll have to look out for the cookbook. I still love the original 30 minute vegan one.
Kiersten Frase says
I need to get the first book! I'm really loving the soup version. 🙂
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Oh, this soup looks so good! I first saw a recipe for peanut soup on Cookie & Kate, and I've loved the idea over since!
Meg @ Beard and Bonnet says
Dear Lord this soup sounds amazing!!!
Jen says
I had never heard of African Peanut Soup until finding it served at a local café and it was delicious! So excited to see a recipe for it. One question, what is Berbere spice mix?
Kiersten Frase says
It's optional, so you don't have to use it--I didn't and it was still delicious! But if you do want to use it, you can probably find it at a specialty spice shop or you can make your own: http://www.food.com/recipe/berbere-spice-mix-ethiopian-454642
Colleen @ Culinary Colleen says
Oh my gosh, I am definitely making this. Looks very much worth the calories!
Kiersten Frase says
It totally is. 🙂
Jenn says
I am craaaazy for soup this time of year and keep most of these ingredients on hand. Thanks! Pinning to my soups board.
Kiersten Frase says
Thanks for the pin! 😀
Joanne says
Probably my biggest cooking flaw is that I can never seem to make anything that takes less than an hour. Definitely need to try out some of the recipes from this book! It would be perfect for when I oh so often find myself trying to cook lunch BEFORE work.
Kiersten Frase says
See, I have the opposite problem--I think I have kitchen ADD and if it doesn't take an hour or less, I get fidgety. So fidgety!
Anna says
This looks wonderful and perfect for a cold winter day. I made a peanut stew from Vegetarian Times last year that was delicious. Thanks for the reminder of this wonderful soup.
Kiersten Frase says
I love peanut stew too! Well, I'm pretty much on board with anything involving peanut butter. 🙂
Kira - HealthAble Old Soul says
I heard African food is delicious! This will be worth it!
Steph says
Wow, that looks absolutely delicious, it probably tastes good too- especially because it contains peanut butter 🙂
Kiersten Frase says
Everything tastes better with a little peanut butter, right?! 🙂
Steph says
Definitely!
Melanie says
This soup looks delicious, and so do the pictures. I love the color of the soup; it really stands out. It's really cold where I live, so this soup would definitely warm me up.
I'm 18 and just started my own food blog and it's been a fun challenge. I'm at: aglutenfreelovestory.blogspot.com
Kiersten Frase says
Thank you! And good luck with your blog--I'm going to check it out right now! 🙂
Alexis @ Hummusapien says
Mm mmm mmmmm! I could really get down with peanut butter in soup, or just about everything for that matter! That book looks absolutely fab.
Kiersten Frase says
I already know I'm going to get a TON of use out of this book. It's awesome!
JulieD says
This looks beautiful! And Yeesssss, I know what you mean. I have no memory of what happened on what day last week but I can tell you ALL about the first time I had pesto. Sigh 🙂
Kiersten Frase says
I totally remember the weirdest things. I swear it gets worse as I get older too.
Natalie @ Once Upon a Cutting Board says
The book sounds great, especially during this time of year when it seems like all I've been eating is soup! I absolutely love peanut butter and sweet potatoes together; this soup looks like the perfect comfort food!
Kiersten Frase says
It's definitely soup season! 🙂 It doesn't even get that cold here and I still want soup all the time.
Stephanie @ henry happened says
I had to read the recipe twice to decide if it was within my skill level. 🙂 I love soup but I always think I'll screw it up. But after some chopping this looks majorly doable!
Kiersten Frase says
Oh yes, this recipe is SUPER EASY! Those are the best kinds of recipes, right?