Nkatenkwan (Ghanaian Groundnut Soup)
In short: A rich, creamy peanut soup with chicken, tomato, ginger and scotch bonnet, thickened with groundnut paste and eaten with fufu or rice balls. It takes about 1 h 35 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 1 h 15 min
- Total
- 1 h 35 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 450 kcal
Nkatenkwan is Ghana's peanut soup, a thick reddish-brown broth made with groundnut paste, tomatoes, onion, ginger and hot pepper. Chicken, goat or beef cooks in it, and oil from the peanuts rises to the top as the soup simmers, a sign that it is ready. It is served with fufu, rice balls (omo tuo) or boiled yam and appears at Sunday lunches and celebrations. A good soup tastes of roasted peanuts, not sugar.
Instructions
- Blend the roughly cut onion with the tomatoes, ginger, garlic and scotch bonnet until smooth.
- Put the chicken, chopped onion, 1 tsp of the salt and 600 ml (2 1/2 cups) of the water in a large pot. Boil for 15 minutes, skimming off the foam.
- Add the blended mixture and the tomato paste and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Whisk the peanut butter with 500 ml (2 cups) hot water until smooth, then stir it into the pot. Add the remaining water if the soup looks too thick.
- Simmer uncovered on low heat for 30 to 35 minutes, stirring often so the peanut paste does not stick. The soup is ready when it is thick and glossy, a layer of red-orange oil floats on top and the chicken is tender (74°C / 165°F).
- Skim off some of the oil if you want a lighter soup. Taste, add the remaining salt if needed, and serve hot with fufu or rice balls.
Tips
- Use unsweetened natural peanut butter, or grind roasted unsalted peanuts into a paste. Sweetened peanut butter makes the soup taste wrong.
- Stir often once the peanut butter goes in, because it sticks and scorches easily. A heavy pot and low heat help.
Questions and answers
What do you eat with groundnut soup?
Rice balls (omo tuo) are the classic partner. Fufu, banku and boiled yam also work well.
Is groundnut soup the same as peanut stew?
They are related, but the Ghanaian soup is thinner and spicier than many peanut stews. It is built on tomato, ginger and fresh pepper and is served with a starchy side.
How do I fix soup that is too thick or too thin?
Add hot water, 120 ml (1/2 cup) at a time, to thin it. To thicken it, simmer it uncovered a little longer.
How long does it take to make Nkatenkwan (Ghanaian Groundnut Soup)?
About 1 h 35 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 1 h 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Nkatenkwan (Ghanaian Groundnut Soup)?
About 450 kcal per serving, with 33 g of protein, 14 g of carbohydrates and 29 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 450 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 33 g |
| Carbohydrates | 14 g |
| Fat | 29 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 7 g |
| Sodium | 800 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
