Ghanaian Nkatenkwan

Ghanaian Nkatenkwan

SpiceBreeze
This renowned Ghanaian delicacy, known as Nkatenkwan or groundnut soup, holds a cherished place in the culinary landscape of West Africa. Traditionally, it boasts a luscious blend of chicken and peanuts, resulting in a creamy and savory broth. However, with our array of creative adaptations, this soup becomes a canvas for personalization, allowing you to tailor it to your unique palate. For a distinctive finishing touch, we recommend sprinkling grains of paradise, indigenous to West Africa, particularly Ghana. These aromatic seeds, with their subtle yet zesty flavor, offer a delightful twist, serving as a gentle yet flavorful alternative to conventional black pepper.
hands-on time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Ghanaian
Servings 3

Ingredients
  

Protein

  • 2 lbs chicken drumsticks [1]

Fresh Produce

  • 2 cups okra [2] cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 medium tomatoes quartered
  • 1 large onion quartered

Packaged Goods/Staples

  • 5-6 cups broth chicken or vegetable
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter [3]
  • salt & pepper

Culinary Spice Kit

  • [1] Ginger, rosemary, bay leaves
  • [2] Grains of paradise whole

Suggested Sides

  • fresh bread
  • cooked rice
  • cooked sweet potatoes
  • cooked yam

Instructions
 

Step 1 - Prepare Chicken Soup

  • In a large POT, combine 3 cups of broth, vegetables, chicken, Nkatenkwan [1] spices, and salt & pepper to taste.
  • Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 15 minutes.
  • Turn off the heat and remove the chicken from the pot. Set it aside.

Step 2 - Blend the Soup (without Chicken)

  • Transfer the cooked soup to a FOOD PROCESSOR [4].
  • Blend the mixture until smooth. Set it aside.

Step 3 - Incorporate Peanut Butter and Chicken into the Soup

  • In the same POT, heat 2 cups of broth.
  • Gradually add peanut butter to the broth, stirring constantly until it dissolves and incorporates smoothly.
  • Pour in the blended soup and add the reserved chicken. Mix well.
  • If desired, adjust the consistency by adding more broth for a thinner soup.
  • Cook the soup over medium-low heat for an additional 20 minutes.

Serving

  • Before serving, sprinkle Nkatenkwan [2] spices to taste from a grinder or use them whole.
  • Accompany the soup with your preferred sides.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Notes

[1] Substitute drumsticks with 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, cut into pieces, or beef stew. Adjust cooking time and add more broth if necessary.
[2] Substitute okra with green beans, kale, or cabbage.
[3] Substitute peanut butter with any other nut butter. If you prefer a clear soup, skip the peanut butter.
[4] Without food processor: Finely chop the onion and skip the step 2.