Winter Food Pairings: Peanuts and Tomatoes

Wintertime meals are typically filled with rich ingredients, a variety of textures, and hearty, filling meals. There are many options for winter food pairings, but one might not think of the tasty winter food pairing of peanuts and tomatoes. The creamy texture of peanuts complimented by the rich, juicy flavor of tomatoes make for some incredibly delicious, and healthy, winter dishes.

Pairing peanuts and tomatoes together in winter meals also gives you a tons of vitamins in dishes. Peanuts are rich in manganese, trytophan, vitamin B3 (niacin), folate, copper, and protein, and they are also rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, as well as antioxidants. Meanwhile, tomatoes are also rich in a number of nutrients, including vitamins C, A, and K, as well as molybdenum and potassium. Tomatoes are also rich in the antioxident lycopene. As you can see, the winter food pairing of peanuts and tomatoes proves to be a very healthy one indeed, and this winter food pairing also fares well in regards to taste.

One of my favorite combinations of peanuts and tomatoes is in a rich, hearty soup or stew, such as a West African Peanut soup, which combines the rich flavors and textures of peanuts and tomatoes with a variety of other healthy, fresh, delicious ingredients to make a scrumptious meal for a winter lunch or dinner. The hearty texture of West African Peanut Soup is filling and flavorful (and this soup is vegan, too!) - perfect for the cold winter days and nights. Here is my recipe for West African Peanut Soup:

West African Peanut Soup - Serves approximately 8-10

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Large White Onion - finely diced
2 Medium Red Bell Peppers - finely chopped
6 Medium Garlic Cloves - minced
1 - 28 oz. Can of Diced Tomatoes with Juice
6 Cups Vegetable Broth
Freshly Ground Black Pepper - to taste
Ground Cayenne Pepper - to taste
1/2 Cup Uncooked Rice
1 - 16 oz. Jar Chunky Natural Peanut Butter
Roasted Peanuts - chopped (optional)

Directions:

1. Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large stock pot over low heat.

2. Add the onion, bell peppers, and garlic to the stock pot and saute until slightly browned - approximately 15-20 minutes.

3. Stir in the tomatoes (with the juice) and vegetable broth.

4. Season the mixture with the black pepper and cayenne pepper to taste.

5. Simmer uncovered for about 15 minutes.

6. Stir in the uncooked rice.

7. Reduce the heat, cover the stock pot, and simmer for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is tender.

8. Whisk in the chunky natural peanut butter (check that the peanut butter contains only peanuts with or without the addition of salt).

9. Return soup to a simmer.

10. Serve. Garnish with chopped roasted peanuts, if desired.

Enjoy the winter food pairing of peanuts and tomatoes in this hearty West African Peanut Soup, and try out other tasty combinations of tomatoes and peanuts!

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Sources:http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=101

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