West African Peanut Stew

This is a recipe I am testing for my next Vegetarian Cooking Class. The next class is a simple suppers class and this was pretty easy to put together. The broth for this stew is thickened with peanut butter (I used almond butter) which gives it a little extra protein punch. Not only to almonds give vegetarians some protein, but they also help to lower LDL (the lethal kind) cholesterol and lower your overall risk for heart disease. It also has cabbage and okra.

Cabbage is a super nutritious food. The many phytonutrients is cabbage work as antioxidants to disarm free radicals before they can damage DNA, cell membranes and fat-containing molecules such as cholesterol. Now, new research is revealing that phytonutrients in crucifers, such as cabbage, work at a much deeper level. These compounds actually signal our genes to increase production of enzymes involved in detoxification, the cleansing process through which our bodies eliminate harmful compounds. A cleanse is just what I can use after a week of "all inclusive resort food" in Cancun Mexico.