From the mouth of babes

           I first tasted this recipe in Richmond, Virginia. Donnell and I were visiting his friends Gerry & Jenn Quindoza and their sweet kiddos. Their eldest daughter, Anne-Claire, was responsible for introducing this recipe and Jenn served it to us that weekend. DELICIOUS! And yes, as a brother from Alpha Chi Delta pointed out, this recipe can easily be found just by Googling for it.
            BUT, what's the name of this blog? Jake-Makes-It-Better. And that's what I did. I am not gloating for having bested an 11 year old girl (even though I sort did anyway, jk), I am simply stating that I took a good recipe and made it great. Trust me.

African Peanut Soup

Ingredients 

- 3 tablespoons olive oil

- 2 medium onions, chopped

- 2 large red bell peppers, chopped

- 6 cloves garlic, minced

- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes, with

liquid 

- 8 cups chicken stock (Kitchen Basics)

- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder (optional)
- 2/3 cup extra crunchy peanut butte
- Uncle Ben’s 90 second Microwave Brown Rice 
- 1 tsp. ground cumin
- 1 tbsp. italian blend seasoning
- 1/2 tsp. ground mustard
- 1 tsp. crushed red pepper 
- Salt & pepper to taste

I add a pound of pealed & cleaned shrimp (diced well) or a pound of deboned chicken thighs (diced). With the shrimp, just add the shrimp towards the end and allow to cook until the shrimp turns pink. With the chicken, spray a sauté pan with PAM, and lightly saute, but don’t cook all the way through. Add to soup, and any drippings from the pan. Also, adding andouille sausage (chopped well) would probably be amazing. 

ALSO - If you want this to be a vegetarian, just use vegetable stock!

1- Dice onions and peppers. In large stock pot, heat 3 tbsp of olive oil over medium heat, add onions and peppers. Allow to cook until tender, 7 minutes or so. 
2- Crush garlic cloves with a garlic press, add to stock pot. Allow to sauté 60 seconds. 
3- Add crushed tomatoes, spices and chicken stock. Lightly salt and pepper at this step, you can add more at the end if desired. 
4- While the pot reaches a boil, microwave the brown rice according to the directions. Add to the pot. 
4- Bring to a full boil, reduce heat and cover. Cook about 10 minutes. 
5- Add peanut butter and stir well. 
6- Taste, and add more salt and pepper as needed.