Thai Sweet Potato and Peanut Stew

This recipe has been adapted from one of my most favorite, life saving, sanity maintaining websites ever! If you haven't already discovered The Six O'Clock Scramble go check it out, www.http://www.thescramble.com/. I'll tell you more about this site later but for now give this a try. It received four thumbs up between myself and my other half.

Great soup/stew to put a little swing in your step on a cold winter night. Also extremely easy to help maintain dinner-time sanity. Throw it all in a crock pot in the morning and you'll be good to go by dinner time.

3 medium sweet potatoes peeled and diced
1 medium yellow onion diced
1 28 oz. can diced unsalted tomatoes
32 oz. unsalted chicken stock
1/2 c. peanut butter (smooth or chunky)
2 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Pinch of salt (optional)

Add all ingredients to a crock pot and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6-8 hours. Even if you can't make it home after 8 hours to turn the crock off or down don't sweat it. The soup will just continue to thicken a bit, which I personally prefer.

Finally take 1/2 the solids and blend in a food processor or blender (careful with the blenders as the steam can build up and cause it to explode from the top). This is optional if you prefer a creamier soup. Add the blended mix back to the crock and give it a good stir.

Serve with toasted flat bread or over basmati rice. Garnish with a chiffonade of fresh basil or cilantro.

Enjoy!