How to Make African Vegetarian Stew for Kwanzaa

Wether you are looking to host a vegetarian Kwanzaa feast or just create something tasty for those on your guest list who may be vegetarian, this African stew is a winning idea. It ebodies the cultural significance as Africans traditionally ate a lot of stews, using what crops they had available at the time. Be sure and make plenty. Your Kwanzaa guests will be lining up to take some of this tasty dish home with them as a reminder of a great feast.

Things You'll Need

• 1 bunch of Swiss chard washed and chopped into pieces, white stems separated from green leaves
• Large saucepan
• 1 large chopped onion
• 1 tsp. of ground coriander
• 1 15 oz. can of garbanzo beans
• 2 yams cut into thick slices or chunks
• Tabasco sauce to taste
• 1/4 tsp. of ground cumin
• 1/2 cup of white or brown rice
• 1/2 tsp. of ground tumeric
• 1/2 tsp. of ground cinnamon
• 1 or 2 cloves of garlic
• 1/2 tsp. of ground ginger
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup of golden or dark raisins
• 1 16 oz. can of tomatoes

Instructions

Make African Vegetarian Stew for Kwanzaa

1. Saute onion, garlic and the white stems of the Swiss chard over a medium-low heat until it is just softened. This should take about 5 to 6 minutes.

2. Add the chopped greens of the chard and cook for a few more minutes until wilted.

3. Combine the yams, garlic, raisins, garbanzo beans and tomatoes with the onion and chard mixture and cook for about 5 minutes until everything is well incorporated. You should smell a very aromatic scent by the time the mixture is ready for the next step.

4. Create a well in the middle of the mixture and pour in the rice. Moisten the rice with the mixture and then cover the pot with the top. Cook for an additional 25 to 30 minutes or until the rice is fully cooked.

5. Add Tabasco sauce for taste to complete the dish.

Tips & Warnings

• African vegetarian stew is great for vegans as well as vegetarians since there are no dairy products in the recipe.

• For a thinner stew you can add 2 or 3 cups of water at the time the rice is added to the pot.

• The flavor of this stew intensifies after a day or so, making it is great for leftovers.

• Feel free to experiment with other vegetables or fruits in this dish, as there is no wrong way to customize an African vegetable stew for Kwanzaa.