Fried sweet potatoes in groundnut sauce

Jennifer Oganga

This meal is popular with our neighbours from Uganda but it is gradually becoming a delicacy here. Groundnuts are grown mainly in the western parts of Kenya but, like potatoes, they are readily available in our local markets.

Fried sweet potatoes

What you need

• Three large sweet potatoes

• Three tablespoons of oil

• Three grated tomatoes

• Half tablespoon of sugar

• Quarter tablespoon of chilli powder (optional)

• Salt

• Onion

• One cup water

How to prepare

1. Peel the sweet potatoes then wash and cut them into desirable chunks.

2. Put the potatoes in a pan, add one cup of water and boil for 10 minutes. Remove and put in a plate to cool.

3. Place a pan on fire, pour in the oil and add onions. Fry till golden brown.

4. Add the sweet potatoes and spice them with salt, sugar and chilli powder. Continue frying. Add grated tomatoes.

5. Fry for five minutes, then remove and serve hot with the groundnut sauce.

Groundnut sauce

What you need

• One cup raw groundnuts

• One shredded onion

• One tomato puree

• One cup fresh milk or water

• One tablespoon of oil

• Salt

How to prepare

1. Fry the groundnuts. When ready, remove and pour on a tray to cool. You can remove the husks if you wish.

2. Once the groundnuts have cooled, crush them using a blender until they become soft like flour. If you don’t have a blender, you can buy peanut butter and use half a cup.

3. Put a heavy saucepan on fire and pour the oil. Put in the onions and fry them till tender.

4. Add the tomato puree and a little salt. Stir then cover. Cook for three minutes.

5. Put the crushed groundnuts in a small bowl, add milk and stir. Make sure the lumps are cleared.

6. Pour this mixture into the saucepan and lower the heat. Stir gradually.

7. Let the sauce cook for 30-40 minutes. You can add a little water at a time but make sure the sauce is not thick. It should have a smooth-running consistence.