Ago Glain
Beninese Crab Stew
Ago Glain is a flavorful Beninese crab stew, originating from the Fon people. It features tender crab meat cooked in a rich sauce made with tomatoes, onions, peanut butter, and a hint of chili, often served with rice.
🧂 Ingredients
- 6 large Fresh crabs(about 1.5 lbs total)
- 1 cup Vinegar
- 2 cups Unsweetened peanut butter
- 3 large Large tomatoes(pureed or finely chopped)
- 2 large Yellow onions(1 whole for boiling, 1 finely chopped for sauce)
- 1 tablespoon Palm oil
- 1 tablespoon Minced chilies(piri-piri or other hot chili, adjust to taste)
- 3 tablespoons Lime juice(from 3 limes)
- 1 leaf Bay leaf
- 1 sprig Parsley(chopped)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 3 cloves Whole cloves(stuck into the whole onion)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Wash the crabs thoroughly. In a large pot, bring 10 cups of water to a boil with 1 cup of vinegar, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Add the whole onion (with cloves stuck in it), bay leaf, and parsley sprig.
- 2
Once boiling, add the crabs to the pot. Cook for 10 minutes, skimming off any foam that forms. Add the whole tomatoes and cook for another 5 minutes. Remove the tomatoes and set aside. Continue cooking the crab mixture for another 5 minutes.
- 3
Remove the crabs from the pot. Once cool enough to handle, remove the shells and extract the crab meat. Mix the crab meat with the lime juice and set aside.
- 4
In a separate skillet, heat the palm oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until translucent (about 5 minutes). Add the pureed tomatoes and minced chilies, and cook until a paste forms, about 5-7 minutes.
- 5
Stir in the peanut butter and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Add about 1/2 cup of water to create a sauce consistency. Bring to a simmer.
- 6
Add the crab meat mixture to the peanut sauce. Stir gently to combine and heat through for about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- 7
Serve the Ago Glain hot, traditionally stuffed back into the cleaned crab shells or served over rice. Garnish with fresh parsley.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Ensure you use unsweetened peanut butter for the best flavor.
- ✓Adjust the amount of chili peppers to your desired level of spice.
- ✓If you can't find fresh crabs, canned crab meat can be used, but fresh is preferred for texture and flavor.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Serve with a side of steamed rice or fufu.
- Some variations include a splash of tomato paste in the sauce for added richness.