Caribbean Pepper Pot Stew with Cashews and Cowpeas

Name: Caribbean Pepper Pot Stew with Cashews and Cowpeas
Prep time: 3 h
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 large onion; 3 cloves garlic; 1 tablespoon ginger; 2 large bell peppers; 1 Scotch bonnet pepper; 4 cups vegetable broth; 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk; 1 tablespoon tomato paste; 1 cup cowpeas; 1 cup cashews; 2 sweet potatoes; 1 bunch green onions; 1 teaspoon thyme; 1 teaspoon allspice; Salt and pepper

A hearty Caribbean delight

This vibrant and comforting stew pairs the smoky heat of peppers with the nutty richness of cashews and the earthy flavor of cowpeas.

3 h 30 min
4
Intermediate

Ingredients

For the Stew Base

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 large onion

finely chopped

3 cloves garlic

minced

1 tablespoon ginger

grated

2 large bell peppers

diced

1 Scotch bonnet pepper

finely chopped (optional for extra heat)

For the Liquid Stock

4 cups vegetable broth

1 can (14 oz) coconut milk

1 tablespoon tomato paste

For the Main Ingredients

1 cup cowpeas

soaked overnight

1 cup cashews

lightly toasted

2 sweet potatoes

peeled and cubed

1 bunch green onions

sliced

For the Seasoning

1 teaspoon thyme

1 teaspoon allspice

Salt and pepper

to taste

Preparation

Marinating the Cowpeas

Rinse Cowpeas

Rinse the soaked cowpeas under cold water.

Drain Cowpeas

Drain and pat dry using a kitchen towel.

Set Aside

Set aside, ready for the stewing process.

Preparing the Vegetables

Heat Oil

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Sauté Aromatics

Sauté the onions, garlic, and ginger until fragrant.

Add Peppers

Add the bell peppers and Scotch bonnet, sautéing until softened.

Be careful when handling Scotch bonnet peppers; use gloves to avoid irritation. Pro Tip: Prepare all ingredients before you start cooking to maintain a steady workflow.

Cooking Process

Building the Stew Base

Add the tomato paste to the softened vegetables and cook for 2 minutes.

Incorporating the Main Ingredients

Stir in the cowpeas, sweet potatoes, and toasted cashews, coating them with the vegetable mixture.

Simmering the Stew

Pour in the vegetable broth and coconut milk, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 2 hours.

Timing

Initial Sauté: 15 min; Simmering: 2 h

Heat Guide

Sautéing Vegetables: Medium heat; Simmering the Stew: Low heat

Plating & Serving