Matapa (Shrimp and Kale in Coconut Milk and Peanut Butter)

Peanut butter and greens are not an unusual pairing in many parts of Southern Africa and should be embraced everywhere! They are just as delicious as greens with cream, a more widely known dream team when balanced right.

The Mozambican dish Matapa inspired this recipe: cassava leaves cooked in coconut milk with peanuts or cashews and shrimp or crab. I used Tuscan kale, but you can use anything from pumpkin leaves to collard greens and adjust the cooking time.

Coconuts are plentiful in Mozambique, which borders the Indian ocean, and coconut milk, a staple in my pantry, is creamy but not overwhelming. It lends a unique flavour, and in this case, blends well with the sweet and salty peanut butter and the subtle sweetness and texture from the chopped shrimp.

The light and hearty soup stew gets even more delicious overnight, and you can serve it with brown rice, farro, couscous or any other starch or side that will help absorb the tasty juices!

Ingredients

2 pounds cooked shrimp (thaw according to package)

1 large bunch Tuscan kale

Olive oil

1 red onion

4 large garlic cloves

1/4 jalapeno

1/4 cup fresh parsley

1 tablespoon Royco Usavi mix (or you favourite all purpose seasoning)

2 tablespoons peri-peri seasoning

1 cup peanut butter (tempered with 1 cup hot water)

1 packet chicken bouillon powder

2 tablespoons from 1/2 a fresh lemon

1 tablespoon cayenne powder

1 tablespoon black pepper

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup coconut milk

Pepper flakes

Instructions

Remove the stems and chop the kale. Place in boiling water until softened, then remove most of the water. Place in a blender and pulse to shred the greens until they are tiny pieces but not liquid (you can also do it while the leaves are uncooked).

Finely dice and chop the onion, garlic, jalapeno, and parsley and sauté in olive oil until softened for about 3 minutes. Add the Royco Usavi and peri-peri.

In a separate bowl, mix the peanut butter with the boiling water and chicken bouillon. Pour the tempered mixture into the pot, then add the kale. simmer for 5 minutes and mix well.

Add the shrimp, cook for 2-3 minutes, then follow with a squeeze of lemon. Season with salt and pepper to taste, adding extra peanut butter and cayenne if necessary.

Serve hot with brown rice, lemon, chili flakes, and parsley.