RecipesMaliFonio and Vegetable Stew

Fonio and Vegetable Stew

A hearty and nutritious vegetarian stew featuring fonio, a West African grain, simmered with a medley of colorful vegetables and aromatic spices.

Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time55 minutes
Servings4
DifficultyEasy
Fonio and Vegetable Stew - Mali traditional dish

🧂 Ingredients

  • 1 cup Fonio
  • 2.5 cups Vegetable broth
  • 2 tbsp Olive oil
  • 1 medium Onion(chopped)
  • 3 cloves Garlic(minced)
  • 1 medium Carrot(diced)
  • 1 medium Zucchini(diced)
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) Diced tomatoes
  • 1 tsp Turmeric
  • 1 tsp Ground cumin
  • 1 tsp Smoked paprika
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Black pepper
  • for garnish Fresh parsley(chopped)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

  1. 1

    Rinse the fonio thoroughly under cold running water. Drain well.

  2. 2

    In a medium pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.

  3. 3

    Add the minced garlic, diced carrot, and diced zucchini to the pot. Cook for another 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften.

  4. 4

    Stir in the diced tomatoes (undrained), turmeric, cumin, and smoked paprika. Cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.

  5. 5

    Add the rinsed fonio and vegetable broth to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil.

  6. 6

    Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the fonio is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

  7. 7

    Season the stew with salt and black pepper to taste. Stir well.

  8. 8

    Serve hot, garnished with fresh chopped parsley.

💡 Pro Tips

  • Fonio can be found in specialty African or health food stores, or online.
  • Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers, sweet potatoes, or spinach.
  • For a richer flavor, you can use a good quality vegetable stock instead of broth.

🔄 Variations

  • Add a can of drained and rinsed chickpeas for extra protein.
  • Stir in a tablespoon of peanut butter for a creamier, richer stew.

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