Soupou Gertö (chicken sauce with sweet potatoes)

Ingredients:

• One 3 lb chicken, cut into pieces
• 1/2 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 bunch spring onions, roughly chopped
• 2 large onions, roughly chopped
• 3 to 4 fresh tomatoes, roughly chopped
• 3-4 Maggi cubes
• 6 gloves garlic
• 3 tbsp tomatoes paste
• 1 lb sweet potatoes, cubed
• 2 eggplants, cubed
• 4 cups water
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 scotch bonnet pepper (optional)
• Salt, black pepper and chili powder to taste
• 1 cup peanut oil

Directions:

1. Place the chicken pieces in a bowl with the lemon juice, salt, pepper and chili powder. Let marinate for 15 minutes or more.
2. Heat the oil and cook the chicken pieces until browned on both sides.
3. Meanwhile, place the green onions, onions and garlic in a food processor with the tomatoes, Maggi cubes and some additional salt and pepper.
4. When the chicken is brown, pour this mixture over the pieces and simmer over a medium flame for 10 to 15 minutes.
5. Add the water and the bay leaf, and a little more salt and pepper and chili powder. Add the scotch bonnet pepper (if using)
6. Once the eggplant and sweet potatoes are soft, serve with white rice.