Foufou with Peanut Sauce
A staple Togolese meal consisting of 'foufou' (a pounded dough made from yam or cassava) served with a rich, savory peanut sauce. This is a fundamental dish representing Togolese culinary tradition.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Yam(or cassava, peeled and cut into chunks)
- as needed Water
- 300 g Peanut butter(unsweetened, smooth)
- 500 g Beef or chicken(cubed (optional, for meat version))
- 2 large Onions(1 chopped, 1 sliced)
- 200 g Tomatoes(pureed or finely chopped)
- 3 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 inch piece Ginger(grated)
- 2 tbsp Palm oil
- 1 whole Scotch bonnet pepper(pierced (optional))
- to taste Salt
- 1 Bouillon cube(optional)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the Foufou: Boil the yam or cassava chunks in water until very tender. Drain well. In a large mortar, pound the boiled yam/cassava with a pestle until a smooth, firm dough forms. Add a little water if it becomes too dry. Keep warm.
💡 Tip: This step requires significant physical effort. Some modern kitchens use food processors or heavy-duty mixers. - 2
Prepare the Peanut Sauce: If using meat, brown the cubes in palm oil in a large pot. Remove meat and set aside. Add chopped onions, garlic, and ginger to the pot and sauté until softened.
- 3
Add the tomato puree and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the peanut butter and 1-2 cups of water or broth. Add the sliced onion, scotch bonnet pepper (if using), salt, and bouillon cube (if using).
💡 Tip: Ensure the peanut butter is well incorporated. The sauce should be smooth. - 4
Return the meat to the pot (if used). Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for at least 1 hour, stirring frequently to prevent sticking. The sauce should thicken and the flavors meld.
💡 Tip: The longer it simmers, the richer the flavor. Add more water if it becomes too thick. - 5
Serve the hot peanut sauce alongside the warm foufou. Diners typically take a small piece of foufou, make an indentation, and scoop up the sauce.
💡 Tip: Remove the scotch bonnet pepper before serving if you prefer less heat.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The quality of the peanut butter is crucial for the flavor of the sauce.
- ✓Foufou can also be made from plantains or a mix of starches.
- ✓This dish is often prepared for celebrations and gatherings.
🔄 Variations
- Add shredded fish or shrimp to the peanut sauce for a seafood variation.
- Incorporate leafy greens like spinach or kale into the sauce during the last 15 minutes of cooking.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and add more vegetables like eggplant or okra.