African Lamb and Peanut Stew

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons canola oil
• Cooking spray
• 3/4 pound boneless leg of lamb, trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 teaspoons garam masala
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 cups water, divided
• 2 cups chopped tomato
• 1/2 cup sliced carrot
• 2 small sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 1/2 cups frozen cut okra
• 1/4 cup natural-style chunky peanut butter
• 1 jalapeño pepper, finely chopped
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 (10-ounce) package couscous

Preparation

1. Heat oil in a medium Dutch oven coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Add lamb, and cook 8 to 10 minutes or until browned, stirring frequently. Add garam masala, onion, and garlic; cook 3 to 4 minutes or until onion is tender, stirring frequently.
2. . Combine tomato paste and 1 cup water in a small bowl. Add tomato paste mixture and tomato to Dutch oven. Stir in remaining 1 cup water; bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Add carrot and sweet potato; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 25 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add okra; cook 5 minutes.
3. . Remove 1/4 cup cooking liquid from pan; place in a small bowl. Add peanut butter, and stir with a whisk. Add peanut butter mixture to pan; stir in jalapeño pepper, salt, and black pepper. Cook over medium-low heat 15 minutes or until thickened.
4. . While stew simmers, prepare couscous according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Serve stew over hot cooked couscous.