Entree w/ Peanut butter needed

[free sample addict aka Tracy L]

I need an entree for a work potluck featuring peanut butter. Boss is doing a satay style peanut dip, so curry and coconut milk are out and other people have signed up for noodles/pasta. My coworkers are adventurous eaters and a very nice group of people. I'd like to make something nice to show how much I like them.

[kare_raisu]

"Hard Gay"'s peanut butter -green pepper hand roll
Thanks Eric!
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/369631

[free sample addict aka Tracy L]

Lol, that would have been great. One of our Supes is named Gay and guess what? She can be a real hard a**. BTW, these additional ideas are great. I'll file them away for next time. You guys aren't late, just early for the next peanut butter shindig.

[piccola]

Also too late, but...
In the Australian Women's Weekly vegetarian cookbook, there's a recipe for a lavash wrap with peanut butter and grated pumpkin. It's fab.

[another_adam]

Guess it's too late now, but there's also a great filipino dish called "kare kare", a type of oxtail stew that's made with vegetables and a peanut-based sauce. (Normally made with peanut butter, to give the broth a rich smoothness) It's rich without tasting overwhelmingly peanutty (in fact, I'm not sure you'd guess that it was peanut-butter based without being told)

[wyf4lyf]

Glad you liked the wraps and that they were a hit. Time for me to make them again, too!

[free sample addict aka Tracy L]

Thank you again for the great ideas. It was a fun theme and well received by a lot of my coworkers. I originally wanted to do a mole but as the day of the potluck drew closer I had less time than I realized as some other committments cropped up. I ended up making wyf4lyf's Ginger-Peanut Chicken Salad Wraps. They were really good, and my coworkers were very happy with my choice. The dressing had a good kick to it. Everyone appreciated that it wasn't too sweet and the liked the balance of flavors a lot. One coworker said 'It makes me feel good to eat it". In addition to my wraps, another coworker made an incredible thai rice dish with peanut butter, chilis and coconut. Our two dishes ended up complimenting each other. Since there were several desserts my coworker who made the rice graciously said 'we saved the potluck by bringing delicious entrees'. I enjoyed the theme so much that it is definitely going on my list of potential themes for get togethers at my home.

[Carb Lover]

Thanks for the update! Glad to hear it went well.

[pescatarian]

Quarter brussel sprouts. Sweat diced onions to large frying pan in a little bit of olive oil. Add quartered brussel sprouts. Add about a 1/4 cup of orange juice, a tablespoon of soy sauce, a tablespoon of peanut butter, as many chili flakes as you like, a about a half a tablespoon garlic puree, slivered almonds - keep on medium heat, stirring occasionally until everything is carmelized.

[ladelfa]

Hummus. Substitute peanut butter for tahini.

[DanaB]

The recipe linked below, for "Super Slaw" from Epicurious, makes a delicious and coloful asian coleslaw featuring peanut butter in the dressing. If you mixed in some grilled chicken or tofu, it would make a nice, light entree salad that would fit in well at an asian-themed potluck.

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/rec...

[MaineRed]

we made this slaw all summer long, it's soooo good.

[othervoice]

try adding a couple of pkgs. ramen noodles and some sliced almonds. Extremely good!!!

[billjriv]

Peanut butter mixed with equal part powdered milk and mix in alot of honey then put in fridge for a couple hours then slice or make into balls and put chocolate on them.

[maestra]

Peruvian peanut soup.
Peanuts are called "maní" in South America. You'll find dozens of recipes with an online search.

[paulj]

In Ecuador, many soups are finished with some ground peanuts diluted with milk.

They also make a 'salsa de mani', a peanut sauce that is typically served on mashed potato patties (llapingchos). At its simplest, salsa de mani is sauteed onion and tomato, finished with ground peanuts.

paulj

[othervoice]

noone has mentioned this but how about a dessert to compliment this whole meal??
Paula Dean's Peanut Butter gooey bars would be perfect. (they're a variation of her Pumpkin Gooey Bars.)

[free sample addict aka Tracy L]

I appreciate the suggestion but the desserts are covered, a couple of other people signed up for desserts. I may do my own peanut butter theme party at my house in the future and use those. They look really good.

[othervoice]

Do try them another time they're really good. Have you tried the Jif site? Lots of recipes.

Jif Peanut Butter Recipes: Recipes for cooking with peanut butter!

www.jif.com/recipes/default.asp
Let us know what you end up with.

[Timowitz]

Tou might want to multiply this recipe for a potluck.

Saute a package of cubed tempeh in some oil. Stir to brown all sides.

While the tempeh is sauteing, saute chopped onion and garlic in oil in a largish saucepan until onions are soft and golden. Also minced chili if you want. Add 3 14.5 oz cans crushed or diced tomatoes. After the tomatoes have cooked down a bit, add some soy sauce or tamari, and peanut butter (I use crunchy natural with no salt, sugar or hydrogenated oils added). Taste as you add the last two items. You don't want the flavor of the soy sauce or tamari to overwhelm everything and you don't want to add so much peanut butter that it turms into a thick sludge. Add the tempeh and let it simmer for a while. Serve over rice (I like a mix of half basmati and half brown basmati). Quantites are very flexible. This is a very forgiving recipe. If you add too much soy or PB, cut them with more tomatoes. This reheats very well.

My best friend from college concocted this back in the '70s when she was experimenting with tempeh and wanted to make something with an Indonesian flair. I love it.

[free sample addict aka Tracy L]

Thanks for the great responses. Keep them coming, the potluck isn't for another two weeks and I usually decide what to make a couple of days ahead of time!

[kare_raisu]

Pipian

[Carb Lover]

I believe that pipian is pumpkin seed-based, not peanut. Chicken w/ peanut mole sauce (mole de cacahuate) would be good though. There's a good recipe in Bayless' Mexican Kitchen.

The only other entree suggestion that comes to mind is the peanut butter and bacon sandwiches that I can't forget after Karl S mentioned them a long time ago.

Sounds like an interesting potluck; let us know what you whip up!

[kare_raisu]

Carb lover have you made this pollo en cacuate?

[jsaimd]

Along the same lines, there is the African sweet potato peanut soup that is yummy. You can google for recipes. It is a favorite in our house.

[AmyH]

You could also do an African stew. Here's one from the Congo Cookbook:

Groundnut Stew
Groundnut is the common African word for peanut, and Groundnut Stew or Groundnut Chop is one of many Chop dishes; the Western African version of the Chicken in Peanut-Tomato Sauce eaten all over sub-Saharan Africa. The Western African style is usually more elaborate, with more ingredients and garnishes.

What you need

one or two sweet potatoes, or a similar amount of yams, peeled and cut into cubes (optional)
peanut oil (or other cooking oil)
one or two chickens, cut into large bite-sized pieces (you can also use equal parts chicken and beef or stew meat)
salt (to taste)
black pepper (to taste)
chicken broth or stock (optional)
two or three tomatoes, chopped (or canned tomaoes, or tomato sauce or tomato paste)
one or two onions, chopped very fine
one clove garlic, minced (optional)
one or two hot chile peppers, chopped (optional)
one-half teaspoon ground ginger or coriander
pinch of thyme or a bay leaf
one-quarter cup dried shrimp or dried prawns (optional)
one medium eggplant (aubergine, or guinea squash) or a dozen okra, or canned beans, or canned corn (optional)
sweet green pepper (or bell pepper), chopped (optional)
squash, chopped (optional)
one cup peanut butter (preferably natural and unsweetened) -- or make your own peanut paste by roasting peanuts, removing the shells and skins, and grinding, mashing, or mincing them, then simmer them in a saucepan with a cup of water

What you do

If using sweet potatoes or yams:
Boil or steam them until they begin to become tender.

In a large pot or dutch oven fry the meat in hot oil, until browned. Add salt and pepper. Reduce heat, add a cup of water or chicken broth and simmer.

Heat oil in a skillet. Fry the tomatoes, onions, garlic, chile peppers over high heat. Add spices. Add the optional vegetables, sweet potatoes or yams, and/or dried shrimp or prawns. Reduce heat and stir in peanut butter and a bit of water or broth. Stir until smooth.

Add the tomato-onion-peanut mixture to the simmering meat. Stir throughly and continue to simmer until the meat is cooked and the vegetables are tender.

Serve with boiled Rice and as many garnishes as possible:
hard-boiled eggs, peeled (everyone must have a hard-boiled egg); these are sometimes added to the pot and cooked with the stew a few minutes before serving
sliced boiled yam or sweet potato
breadcrumbs or croutons
sliced fruit: such as banana, mango, orange, papaya, pineapple, etc.
shredded lettuce
parsley
chopped nuts
shredded coconut
sliced tomato
sliced onion: raw or fried
chile peppers
chutney
African Hot Sauce
salt, black pepper, red pepper

[piccola]

I make a veggie version using chickpeas.

In Jean Paré's "Company's Coming" vegetarian book, there's a recipe for a rice casserole that uses a fair amount of PB. It's basically medium-grain rice cooked with onions, peas, carrots, rutabaga, tomatoes, and PB. You add mediterranean seasonings, which is what makes this recipe stand out.

[Sam Fujisaka]

In much of Africa "groundnut" refers to the Bambarra groundnut, Vigna subterranea, rather than to the peanut, Arachis sp.

[AmyH]

Thanks for the info, but those Bambarra groundnuts might be kinda tricky to find in US stores. I assume peanuts make an acceptable substitute, especially if the congo cookbook calls for them. There really are some great recipes in there, and they are specific about which regions of Africa they come from, as opposed to some cookbooks that just lump the whole continent together.

[Sam Fujisaka]

Exactly right. Furthermore, one of the reasons that there is no market for crops like Bambarra groundnuts and yams (and others) in the developed countries is that they already have equivalents such as peanuts and potatoes.

[galleygirl]

I recently added this soup to my repetoire, using just this reecipe! (I really like that congo cookbook website...)
http://www.congocookbook.com/c0031.html
The SO loves it.I made it the last two Sundays; pot #2 is simmering right now...I've done the veggie versions, but added some "Tastes like Chicken" boullion, some fish sauce(didn't have any dried shrimp), doubled the spices, added cilantro persto and lots of cumin.
I think the peanut butter amount is a little high, 2/3 cup is better. I used a 13 oz. packets of diced tomatoes, 2 onions, some fresh ginger, about 3 or 4 garlic cloves, 2 yams, a rutabaga, an eggplant, 3 carrots, and a pound of green beans. Last time I used okra, thios time I didn't have any.

It's open to all kinds of veggies; use what you have. It's a very user-friendly, cabinet cleaning kind of recipe. Since I eat fish, I'm trying to find a version using fish, which a Ghanian once mention to me (in fact, I started cooking it after I watched the Tony Bourdain episode on Ghana). I',m wondering if using soaked salt-cod would give me tasty fish, well seasoned soup, and take the place of the dried shrimps, as well.I really loved the texture of the eggplant when it cooked down.

[Ed Dibble]

Thanks for this post. A friend is doing an African themed dinner, and I have prepared a version of this for the feast.

I found another recipe on line that was similar and (as usual) I made some changes because I am unable ever to follow a recipe exactly. I used ground dried shrimp (available in Mexican markets) as well as a few dried anchovies to produce the fishy funkiness that complements the pb and chicken flavors. Went with sweet potato and okra just to emphasize the Africanness of the dish. But it was this post that gave me the original idea. The overall result (pardon me for bragging on my own cooking) is remarkably good, but not like anything else I've ever prpared (or eaten).Thanks again!

Link to other recipe:

http://www.xs4all.nl/~westher/recepte...

ed

[AgnesGooch]

I haven't tried it but it sounds like a cowboy version of satay.

Tuck's Peanut Butter Steak
Source: The Daytona Journal Online - Lifestyle/Food

Forrest Tucker starred as Sgt. Morgan O'Rourke on the 1960s TV western comedy "F Troop." A few of his many Western films are "The Westerner," "Pony Express," "Chisum," "Coroner Creek" and "Cat Ballou." From "The All-American Cowboy Grill."

Steaks
Adolph's meat tenderizer, optional
Black pepper
Liquid Smoke
Worcestershire sauce
Creamy peanut butter

Prepare grill for direct-heat cooking. Rub both sides of steaks (best cut to use is Spencer or rib-eye) with Adolph's tenderizer (or Accent), if desired, and freshly ground black pepper. Splash both sides with 3-4 drops of Liquid Smoke and Worcestershire sauce. Rub each steak all over with about 1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter. Grill about 5 to 8 minutes on each side over hot coals or flame for medium-rare to medium.

[OldDog]

I like a slow cooker thing using B/S chicken parts (I use breasts and thighs) PB, OJ and soy sauce, basically dumped together and cooked on low 6-8 hours, depending on how much you need and served with/over rice or noodles. It's roughly 1/3 C PB, 2T soy sauce and 3T OJ to each 3# chicken. You can heat/spice it up any way you want...

[Kevin Andrew Murphy]

First thought was the satay sauce, but obviously that's been taken.

Other recipe for peanut butter is to mix it with soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, honey and a little five spice powder to make an Asian dressing for a nice salad with chicken, butter lettuce and carrots. Use the chunky peanut butter, ideally old fashioned style that doesn't have the sugar added (or use the sweetened variety and just skip the honey). Same dressing works with seafood. Toss in a few fried won ton skins just before serving.

[wyf4lyf]

Bring the salad and tortillas separately and let everyone make their own wraps.

Ginger-Peanut Chicken-Salad Wraps
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 6 (4-ounce) skinned, boned chicken breast halves
• 1 cup chopped seeded peeled cucumber
• 3/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
• 1-1/2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger
• 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons water
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 8 (8-inch) fat-free flour tortillas
• 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce

1. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 5 minutes on each side or until done. Remove the chicken from pan; cool. Shred the chicken into bite-size pieces. Place chicken, cucumber, and bell pepper in a large bowl; set aside.

2. Place sugar and the next 6 ingredients (sugar through garlic) in a blender, and process until smooth. Add peanut butter and water; process until smooth, scraping sides. Add peanut butter mixture to chicken mixture; stir well. Add cilantro, and toss well. Warm tortillas according to package directions. Spoon 1/2 cup chicken mixture onto each tortilla; top each serving with 1/2 cup lettuce, and roll up. Yield: 8 servings (serving size: 1 wrap).

Serves 8