looks like vomit- but tastes great

I know how much you've been enjoying cooking the greens, eggs and ugali recipes that I posted in ' A foreigners guide to Malawian cooking', so I thought I'd continue my 'foodie' blogging with a second installment- and with such a title- how could you resist giving this dish a go at your next dinner party?
I can see it now- everyone relaxing and chatting with their glass of red, enjoying the predinner cheese and crackers...and you walk out proudly with a glass bowl of - lets call it 'peanut relish' -or maye 'peanut soup' (pictured left).
I first had it last week out in a village when a chief invited us for a meal. It was so tasty I asked Swa- if she could show me how to cook it- so today we cooked up a feast. I think it is now officially one of my favourite foods :)

Peanut Relish
1 onion
2 tomatoes
300-400grams of raw peanuts
salt (several teaspoons- to taste)
water




Method:

pound the peanuts into a flour using the method pictured. Also pictured are my fpersistent yet somewhat futile attempts. For us weaklings the alternative is to use a food processor. Finely dice the onion and tomato. Bring half a medium pot of water to the boil and simmer onion and tomato for a few minutes. Pour some liquid from the pot into the bowl of peanut flour and stir to make a thick paste- then add the taste to the pot while stirring. Add several teaspoons of salt. Simmer for 20 min- taste and add salt as required. Simmer down/or add water to form a thick soup consistency. Pour over hot rice and enjoy.

Another slightly odd, but really tasty recipe I've picked up here is banana tomato curry.

Banana Tomato Curry

A few bananas
a few tomatoes
1 tspn curry powder

Method
Slice 2-3 bananas into rings and caramelise (low heat) in a lightly oiled frypan.
Add 1 tsp of curry powder (we use hot Madrasa- hold your breath!) add diced tomato (5?) and simmer gently with minimal stirring until cooked. Add salt to taste - but personally i dint think it needs it. Serve with rice or ugali or whatever takes your fancy.

What I love about the cooking in this part of the world is that the recipes are uncluttered. They are simple, incredibly delicious and feel so..wholesome to eat. Even if you're not up to the peanut wonder- give the greens or the banana curry a go this week and enjoy the flavour of each individual ingredient.