Groundnut Sauce
Dive into the rich, nutty essence of Groundnut Sauce, a comforting and flavor-packed dish inspired by West African culinary traditions. Made with roasted peanuts ground into a creamy paste, this velvety sauce is infused with an aromatic blend of sautéed onions, garlic, fresh ginger, and a hint of warming spices like paprika and cayenne pepper. Tomato paste adds depth and brightness, while a splash of lemon juice balances the richness. Ready in just 30 minutes, this versatile sauce pairs beautifully with fluffy rice, tender steamed vegetables, or succulent grilled meats. Garnished with fresh cilantro for a burst of freshness, this easy-to-make recipe is perfect for spicing up weeknight dinners or impressing guests with a taste of global cuisine.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw or roasted peanuts
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 medium onion
- 2 cloves garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cups vegetable broth or water
- 0.5 teaspoons ground cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 0.5 teaspoons salt
- 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Start by making the peanut base. If using raw peanuts, roast them in a dry pan over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until golden and fragrant. Let them cool slightly, then grind them into a fine paste using a food processor or blender. If using pre-roasted peanuts, skip the roasting step and directly grind them into a paste.
In a medium saucepan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat.
Peel and finely chop the onion, garlic, and ginger. Add them to the pan and sauté for 3-4 minutes, until soft and fragrant.
Stir in the tomato paste, cooking for another 2 minutes to deepen the flavor.
Add the ground peanut paste to the saucepan and mix well.
Pour in the vegetable broth or water slowly, stirring constantly to combine. Be sure to scrape the sides of the pan to integrate all the flavors.
Season the sauce with cayenne pepper, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir to mix evenly.
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over low heat and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Adjust the consistency by adding more broth or water if it becomes too thick.
Stir in the lemon juice and taste the sauce. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
Remove the sauce from the heat and let it cool for a minute. Garnish with chopped cilantro before serving, if desired.
Serve warm with rice, steamed vegetables, or grilled meats.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1213 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 101.1 g | 130% | |
| Saturated Fat | 13.3 g | 66% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 16.8 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 3115 mg | 135% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 56.0 g | 20% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 18.6 g | 66% | |
| Total Sugars | 21.2 g | ||
| Protein | 44.1 g | 88% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 224 mg | 17% | |
| Iron | 9.5 mg | 53% | |
| Potassium | 2174 mg | 46% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
