If you have been living under a rock for the past week, I may have some shocking news for you.  It’s cold.  Not just, “Oh it’s slightly chilly out there, better zip up”.  It’s full on cover every inch of your body in three layers of the warmest clothing you have so you don’t turn into a human popsicle the minute you step outside cold.  I don’t mind cold weather, but when it gets this cold I just want to burrow into a nest of my warmest blankets and drink hot cocoa.  I’m sure some of you have the same feelings.  So in an attempt to get you warm and give you some comfort, I have a delicious stew for you.

This stew is hearty, comforting, warm, tasty, and will hit the spot after a long cold day.  Plus you can make it in your slow cooker so you can start it before you go to work and come home to a healthy and hot meal.  Now I ask you, what’s better than that?

 Butternut Peanut Stew

• 1 cup dried chickpeas, soaked overnight or 1 can of chickpeas
• 3-4 cups butternut squash, cubed
• 1 large red bell pepper, diced (you can use green too)
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 can of full fat coconut milk (NOT light, trust me)
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, roughly chopped
• 2 tbsp creamy peanut butter
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp cayenne, more if you want it spicier
• 1 tbsp curry powder
• 3 tbsp cilantro
• salt and pepper to taste

1.  In a food processor or blender add garlic, tomatoes, ginger, peanut butter, cumin, cinnamon, cayenne, curry powder, and cilantro.  Blend until you have a thick paste.

2.  Place drained and rinsed chickpeas, onions, peppers, and butternut squash in a slow cooker.  Pour in peanut paste and add in coconut milk.  Stir until everything is well combined. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.

3.  Toward the end of the cook time stir every so often.  If it’s getting too dry, add in a little water.  Add salt and pepper if needed.

 

This stew is great on it’s own, but if you want an even heartier meal, you can serve it over rice or pasta.  Hopefully these temperatures will warm up just a touch but until then make yourself some of this yummy stew!  Happy Friday!

What tricks do you have to keep warm in frigid temps?