Dakouin (Tilapia with Roasted Cassava Flour)
Dakouin is a traditional Beninese fish dish, particularly popular along the coast. It features pan-fried tilapia marinated with aromatic spices, served with a rich tomato-based sauce and a base of roasted cassava flour (gari).
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 Whole Tilapia(about 1.5 kg, cleaned)
- 1 tbsp Garlic(crushed)
- 1 tbsp Fresh ginger(crushed)
- 1 handful Parsley(chopped)
- 4 Green onions(chopped)
- 1 Bay leaf
- 0.5 tsp White pepper
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- to taste Salt
- few sprigs Thyme
- 1 kg Fresh tomatoes(for sauce)
- 2 Large onions(for sauce)
- 2 Fresh chilies(or more to taste)
- 200 ml Peanut oil(for sauce)
- 1 tbsp Dried fish powder(optional)
- 2 tbsp Smoked shrimp powder(optional)
- 1.5 liters Water(for sauce)
- 2 Bay leaves(for sauce)
- 1 Onion(thinly sliced, for sauce garnish)
- few Fresh chilies(for sauce garnish)
- 1 tsp Ground coriander(for sauce)
- as needed Roasted cassava flour (gari)(for base)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Marinate the Tilapia: Score the cleaned tilapia on both sides. In a bowl, combine crushed garlic, ginger, chopped parsley, green onions, bay leaf, white pepper, black pepper, salt, and thyme. Rub this mixture all over and inside the fish.
💡 Tip: Scoring the fish helps the marinade penetrate. - 2
Let the fish marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature, or longer in the refrigerator.
- 3
Prepare the Sauce: Blend the fresh tomatoes, 2 large onions, and 2 fresh chilies until smooth.
- 4
Heat the peanut oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the blended tomato mixture and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the oil starts to separate, about 15-20 minutes.
💡 Tip: This step is crucial for developing the sauce's flavor. - 5
Add the remaining marinade from the fish (if any), dried fish powder (if using), smoked shrimp powder (if using), 1.5 liters of water, 2 bay leaves, thinly sliced onion, a few green chilies, black pepper, ground coriander, and salt to taste. Stir well.
- 6
Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat and let it cook for about 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- 7
Pan-fry the Tilapia: While the sauce simmers, heat a little oil in a separate frying pan. Pan-fry the marinated tilapia on both sides until golden brown and cooked through.
💡 Tip: Ensure the fish is cooked through but not dry. - 8
To serve, prepare the roasted cassava flour (gari) according to package directions (usually by mixing with hot water to form a dough). Place a portion of gari on each plate. Ladle the rich tomato sauce over the gari, and top with the pan-fried tilapia.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Freshness of the tilapia is key for this dish.
- ✓Don't skip the step of cooking down the tomato mixture; it builds the flavor base.
- ✓Adjust the chili amount for your desired level of heat.
🔄 Variations
- Other firm white fish like sea bass or snapper can be used.
- Serve with rice instead of gari.
- Add other vegetables like bell peppers or okra to the sauce.