West African Beef Stew

[cat lover]

Serve with mashed potatoes and a steamed leafy green such as spinach or Swiss chard.

2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 large onion, peeled and chopped
1 small hot chili, chopped
1 1/2 pounds beef round steak, cut into cubes
1 can,14 ounce chopped tomatoes
2 tsp grains of paradise, roughly crushed with a mortar and pestle *
2 tsp paprika
1/2 cup peanuts, roasted and roughly crushed with a mortar and pestle
1 tsp butter
salt to taste


In a heavy based saucepan, heat oil over mediumlow heat. Saute onion till transparent, about 4 minutes. Increase heat to high and add chili, then beef, adding just a few cubes at a time so that each piece is seared on all sides. When all the beef has been seared, add tomatoes, grains of paradise and paprika, stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until meat is tender - about 1 hour, depending on the size of the meat cubes and your stove.In a small frying pan, fry peanuts and butter, mashing them together to make a rough paste, then add to the stew. Add salt and cook for 3 to 5 minutes longer to allow flavors to blend. 6 servings

Source: The Spice and Herb Bible

*Grains of paradise are difficult to find in Western countries, as their supply is hampered by three limiting factors. First, to drug enforcement agencies, the name conjures up notions of mind-altering substances; second, their importation and use as an adulterant to pepper has been banned in some countries; and third, the crop has never experienced organized cultivation. Thus, with the exception of small quantities secured from West Africa by spiceophiles, it is likely to remain almost unprocurable. For those lucky enough to obtain some, only buy them whole and store in an airtight container away from extremes of heat and humidity. Under these conditions the flavor will last for up to five years.

A reasonable substitute for grains of paradise can be made by pounding together in a mortar and pestle six seeds from a brown cardamom pod, four black peppercorns and one mountain pepperberry. Store in the same manner as other ground spices.