Preparation

West African peanut stews are legendary—rich, complex, and deeply comforting. This mug version captures that mafe magic using the microwave and a sweet potato that's been lurking in your desk drawer. It's proof that dorm cooking can be worldly, nourishing, and ready before your next Zoom class starts.

Preparation

1. Place the diced sweet potato in your mug with the 2 tablespoons of water. Cover loosely with a paper towel.
2. Microwave on high for 3-4 minutes, until the sweet potato is completely tender and mashable. Check at 3 minutes—if a fork doesn't slide through easily, continue in 30-second intervals.
3. Carefully remove from microwave (the mug will be hot!). Drain any excess water if needed.
4. Add the peanut butter, cayenne, garlic powder, milk, and a pinch of salt to the mug.
5. Mash everything together with a fork until you have a chunky-smooth mixture. The peanut butter will melt into the hot sweet potato, creating a creamy, spicy sauce.
6. Taste and adjust seasoning—add more salt if needed, more cayenne if you want heat, or more peanut butter for richness.
7. Top with crushed peanuts for crunch, fresh herbs, and a squeeze of lime juice to brighten everything up.

Next Level: If you have leftover cooked chicken or a hard-boiled egg in your mini-fridge, add diced pieces on top for protein. Some dorm cooks add a spoonful of tomato paste to the mixture for more depth. This dish is forgiving and wants you to experiment.