A beautifully rich stew, filled with varied colors: the bright orange of sweet potatoes, the green flash of fennel, speckled with creamy white cannellini beans. Smoky African spice blend lends a rustic charm, while fresh cilantro leaves give a burst of green on top. The visual appeal is amplified by serving in a rustic bowl with a sturdy wooden spoon.

Fennel Infused African Slow Cooker Stew

Name: Fennel Infused African Slow Cooker Stew
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 480 min
Total time: 510 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: African
Ingredients: 1 large bulb of fennel, 1 large bulb dice and reserve fronds for garnish; 2 medium-sized sweet potatoes, 2 medium-sized peeled and chopped into cubes; 1 can of cannellini beans, 1 can drained and rinsed; 1.5 lbs of beef stew meat, 1.5 lbs cut into 1-inch cubes; 2 tablespoons of African spice blend, 2 tablespoons None; 4 cups of beef broth, 4 cups None; 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1 tablespoon None; 4 cloves of garlic, 4 cloves minced; 1 large onion, 1 large diced; salt, to taste None; black pepper, to taste None; 1 handful of cilantro, 1 handful chopped for garnish

Category Main Course

Prep 30 minutes

Cook 480 minutes

Style African

Technique Slow Cooking

Diet Friendly Gluten-Free

Daily Recipe: March 20, 2024

Taken inspiration from the heartwarming African cuisine, this dish brings together the unique flavor of fennel with the comforting and humble nature of a slow cooker meal. With a blend of nutritious ingredients and warming spices, this Fennel Infused African Stew is a perfect match for a cooler day. The fennel not only infuses its light licorice essence into the stew but also intensifies the savory elements of this dish.

Ingredients (for 4)

1 large bulb of fennel - 1 large bulb - dice and reserve fronds for garnish
2 medium-sized sweet potatoes - 2 medium-sized - peeled and chopped into cubes
1 can of cannellini beans - 1 can - drained and rinsed
1.5 lbs of beef stew meat - 1.5 lbs - cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tablespoons of african spice blend - 2 tablespoons
4 cups of beef broth - 4 cups
1 tablespoon of olive oil - 1 tablespoon
4 cloves of garlic - 4 cloves - minced
1 large onion - 1 large - diced
Salt - to taste
Black pepper - to taste
1 handful of cilantro - 1 handful - chopped for garnish

Preparation

Step 1 - 🌡️🧅🔥

Heat the slow cooker and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the minced garlic and diced onion, saute until they are translucent.
Step 2 - 🍛🥩🌶️

Add 2 tablespoons of African spice blend, make sure the onion and garlic are coated well. Put in 1.5 lbs of beef stew meat that's been cut into 1-inch cubes, stir until it is covered with the spices.
Step 3 - 🍠🍲🥄

Add 2 peeled and chopped medium-sized sweet potatoes, 1 can of drained and rinsed cannellini beans, and 1 diced fennel, mix everything together.
Step 4 - 🍵🧂🥣

Pour in 4 cups of beef broth, add salt and black pepper to taste, then give a good mix.
Step 5 - ⏳🍲🔥

Cover and let it cook on low heat for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours.
Step 6 - 🌿🍛🍽️

Once done, garnish it with the chopped cilantro and reserved fennel fronds before serving.

Additional

Though this recipe uses beef, you can easily make it vegetarian by replacing the beef with chickpeas or more sweet potatoes. Also, feel free to experiment with other African spices or add heat with a bit of cayenne pepper or harissa paste. In order to achieve a more Instagram-worthy look, present your meal with an artistic sprinkle of spices on the serving table, natural textures like rustic woods, linens, or even chalk styled labels for an added charm.