Maafe / Maffé (Peanut Stew)

  • Total time - 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Preparation - 15 minutes
  • Braising - 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Servings: 6
  • Country: Mali
A rich orange-brown Maafe stew with chunks of beef, carrots, and sweet potatoes, served with rice.

Maafe is the heart of the cuisine in Mali, Senegal, and Gambia. Its preparation requires patience, as slow simmering is key to the full flavour integration of peanut butter, tomatoes, and spices.

When choosing peanut butter, opt for unsweetened and unsalted, creamy butter. Maafe is usually served with white rice, but couscous or Fufu are also excellent choices.

Ingredients

For the Maafe Stew

  • 750 g beef (e.g., round), cut into 3 cm cubes
  • 120 g (approx. 4 tbsp) unsweetened creamy peanut butter
  • 1 large piece onion (diced)
  • 3 cloves garlic (crushed)
  • 3 tbsp tomato paste
  • 400 g canned crushed tomatoes
  • 700 ml beef or vegetable broth
  • 300 g sweet potatoes (diced 2 cm)
  • 2 pieces carrots, cut into thick slices
  • 1 piece bay leaf
  • 1 tsp chili flakes (optional)
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • to taste salt and black pepper

For Serving

  • sufficient quantity cooked white rice or couscous

Instructions

Step 1: Searing the Meat

Salt and pepper the beef. In a large pot or pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat.

Sear the meat in batches on all sides until golden brown. Remove the seared meat and set aside.

Step 2: Stew Base

Add the onion to the same pot and sauté for about 5 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes until the paste starts to darken.

Step 3: Simmering

Return the meat to the pot. Add the crushed tomatoes, broth, bay leaf, salt, pepper, and chili (if using).

Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 60 minutes.

Step 4: Adding Peanut Butter and Vegetables

After one hour, add the peanut butter, sweet potatoes, and carrots to the stew.

Mix well until the peanut butter is completely dissolved and incorporated into the sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add a little more broth or water.

Step 5: Finishing and Serving

Cover and simmer for another 30 minutes until the sweet potatoes and carrots are soft and the meat is very tender. The sauce should be creamy and thick.

Serve hot, poured over a mound of cooked white rice (or couscous).