I learnt this recipe many years ago from a couple of returning Peace Corp volunteers. It is one of the most popular dishes in Mali where they worked. Feel free to adjust the ingredients based on what you have available. Add some skinless chicken thighs after the vegetables and cook it until the chicken is fully cooked, about 20-25 minutes. Check out the video at the bottom of the post.
Tiga Diga Na
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, sliced thinly
2 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
½ -inch fresh ginger, smashed
2 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons cumin
½ teaspoon pepper flakes, such as Urfa Biber or Maras (or a whole fresh habanero)
4 cups diced vegetables such as carrots, beets, sweet potatoes, parsnips, turnips, potatoes or peppers
1 tablespoon tomato paste
½ can diced tomatoes or 1 large tomato, chopped
6 dried shitake mushrooms, rehydrated in boiling water
½ teaspoon kosher salt or more to taste
3 cups vegetable stock - divided
1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into ½” pieces
¼ of a small cabbage, shredded or some chopped kale
¾ cup organic peanut butter – smooth or crunchy, salted or unsalted – just no sugar
Squeeze of fresh lime or a little tamarind paste
Heat the oil in a Dutch oven over a medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook until soft but with no color. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for a couple of minutes. Add the spices and cook until fragrant. Add the mixed vegetables and toss to coat. Then add in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes.
Add tomatoes, habanero if using, rehydrated shiitakes with their liquid and 2 cups of the vegetable stock, season with ½ teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil and then simmer gently for about 5 minutes – until the vegetables are just starting to soften.
Add the shredded cabbage and the green beans. Bring back to a boil and cook for 3-4 minutes.
Place the peanut butter in a small bowl and whisk in the remaining vegetable stock. If your peanut butter is very stiff, it can help to heat up the vegetable stock first.
Add the peanut butter mixture to the vegetables. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Add a squeeze of lime juice or a teaspoon of tamarind paste. Taste and add more salt if necessary, especially if you used unsalted peanut butter.
Video of Frances preparing Tiga Diga Na
Tiga Diga Na - Part 1
Tiga Diga Na - Part 2