West African Chicken & Peanut Soup

This recipe is a combination of contributions from several people and cultures. With so many of the ingredients strong in nature, it is a perfect soup to customize to your taste! Add or subtract at will.

1.5 cups cooked chicken, cubed (or 1 or 2 large cans—it’s super easy that way!)
1 cup sweet onion diced in ½ inch pieces
1 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh garlic
1/4 cup sesame oil
2 tsp. curry powder
1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes (more or less to taste)
4.5 cups chicken stock
1.5 cups diced canned tomato (feel free to use varieties w/ roasted garlic, caramelized onion, Cajun spice, etc.—they all work very well for this dish)
1/2 cup peanut butter (chunky or not, it’s up to you)
1 Tbsp. lemon juice (or more to taste)
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (more or less to taste)
Freshly ground pepper and salt to taste

In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, place the sesame oil, onions and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.

Add the curry powder and red pepper flakes, stir for about 1 minute. Then add the chicken stock and tomatoes. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to simmer for about 20 minutes.

Add the peanut butter and cilantro and whisk until smooth and heated thoroughly.

Add chicken, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Turn off heat and let rest for about five minutes, then adjust the seasonings and serve. Tastes even better the next day!

Serves 4-6

Raspberry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Fruit:
2 C fresh raspberries
3/4 C sugar
2 tsp lemon juice

Mash fruit in a bowl. Add lemon juice and 3/4 cup sugar. Mix thoroughly and chill for 2-3 hours.

Cream:
2 C heavy cream
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla mixed with
1 C milk
3/4 C sugar
1/2 C mini chocolate chips

Place eggs in a bowl and mix in cream, followed by milk/vanilla mixture, followed by 3/4 cup sugar. Add chilled fruit mixture and place in ice cream maker. Crank until the cream starts to thicken. Add chocolate chips and continue cranking until the ice cream is done. Makes 2-3 quarts.

Notes: I use Egg Beaters rather than raw eggs (for food safety). This recipe may need to be reduced to fit in a Cuisinart Ice Cream maker.

Whipped Cream Ice Cream

from 1950 Betty Crocker's Picture Cook Book


French Style
Scald: 1 cup whole milk.
Gradually mix in: 1/2 cup sugar, 1/8 tsp salt and 3 beaten egg yolks.
Cook over low heat, stirring, until it boils. Boil just one minute. Cool.

American Style
Scald: 1 cup whole milk
Gradually mix in: 1/2 cup sugar, 1/8 tsp salt and 1 Tbs AP flour.
Cook over low heat, stirring, until it boils. Boil just one minute. Cool.

Pour mixture into ice cream maker and start. When it starts to freeze (a little softer than soft-set) add 1 cup of whipping cream, whipped to soft peaks, and 1 Tbs vanilla. Freeze until a firm soft-serve and transfer to a freezer-proof container. Freeze 2 hours before serving.