EPCOT Peanut Stew Recipe From Festival of the Holidays

Recreate the plant-based Peanut Stew from the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays at home. This hearty West African-inspired dish combines sweet potatoes, mustard greens, and roasted peanuts over rice, served from the Refreshment Outpost in World Showcase.

Cook up a taste of the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays at home with this exclusive Peanut Stew recipe. Inspired by West African cuisine and sometimes called maafe, this hearty, plant-based dish is served from the Refreshment Outpost in EPCOT's World Showcase and is gluten- and wheat-friendly.

The festival, presented by AdventHealth, transforms World Showcase into a global holiday celebration each year, with kitchens around the promenade serving seasonal specialties from around the world. The Peanut Stew combines sweet potatoes, mustard greens, and roasted peanuts into a can't-miss treat that leaves guests savoring every bite. Its origins lie in African culinary tradition, where peanut-based stews remain a beloved comfort food.

Ingredients

• Peanuts (for spiced peanuts garnish)
• Smoked paprika
• Ground cayenne
• Coarse salt
• Canola oil
• Onion
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Sweet potatoes, diced
• White potatoes, diced
• Salt and pepper
• Tomato paste
• Vegetable stock
• Mustard greens
• Ground chili paste
• 2 cups peanut butter (divided)
• Diced tomatoes
• Cilantro
• White rice
• Water
• Green onions, sliced (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 300°F.
2. Spread peanuts on baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, until oil begins to release from peanuts.
3. Combine smoked paprika, ground cayenne, and coarse salt together in a small bowl. Add warm peanuts and stir until coated in spices.
4. Cool to room temperature. Store in airtight container up to 1 week.
5. Heat canola oil in a large pot over medium heat for 5 minutes, until hot. Add onion, garlic, and ginger, and sauté for 5 minutes. Stir in diced sweet and white potatoes and sauté for 5 minutes.
6. Stir in salt, pepper, and tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Pour in vegetable stock. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and add mustard greens, ground chili paste, and 1 cup of peanut butter. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes, until sweet potatoes are tender.
7. Add remaining cup of peanut butter, diced tomatoes, and cilantro. Stir until peanut butter is fully incorporated. Season with additional salt, to taste.
8. Keep warm until ready to serve.
9. Place rice in mesh strainer and rinse with cold water until water runs clear.
10. Combine rice, water, coarse salt, and canola oil in a medium saucepan. Bring water to a boil, cover, and reduce to simmer.
11. Simmer for 20-25 minutes, until water is absorbed and rice is tender.
12. Season with additional salt, to taste. Keep warm until ready to serve.
13. Evenly divide white rice among bowls. Top with peanut stew. Garnish with spiced peanuts and sliced green onions.

Always use caution when handling sharp objects and hot contents. Please supervise children who are helping or nearby. This recipe has been converted from a larger quantity in the restaurant kitchens. The flavor profile may vary from the restaurant's version.

What This Means for Disney Parks Fans

The Peanut Stew highlights how EPCOT's festivals extend far beyond the parks themselves, giving home cooks a chance to recreate festival flavors long after the holidays end. For fans planning a future trip to Walt Disney World, tasting the original at the Refreshment Outpost makes an ideal stop during the next Festival of the Holidays season.