Fouti Lafidi
Fouti Lafidi is a popular and versatile Guinean dish, often described as a vegetable stew or sauce made primarily from eggplant and okra, seasoned with spices, and traditionally served with rice. It can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
🧂 Ingredients
- 10 medium Okra(trimmed)
- 3 large Eggplants(peeled and cut into halves lengthwise)
- 4 medium Garden eggs / African eggplants(fresh or canned)
- 1 medium Lime(juice of)
- 1 tbsp Dried fish powder (Bonga)(or fish powder substitute)
- 1 tsp Salt(to taste)
- 1 cube Maggi cube(crumbled)
- 0.5 cup Soumbara (Odji)(fermented locust beans)
- 2 cups Palm oil
- 0.25 medium Onion(sliced (optional))
- 4 cups Rice(for serving, parboiled preferred)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Wash all vegetables. Peel and cut the eggplants in half lengthwise. If using fresh garden eggs, prepare them similarly. If using canned, drain and set aside.
- 2
Place the large eggplants and fresh garden eggs in a deep pot. Add enough water to cover and bring to a boil. Cook until tender.
- 3
While vegetables cook, prepare the rice according to package instructions. Cook until done and set aside.
- 4
Once the vegetables are tender, drain excess water. Transfer the cooked vegetables to a blender (or mash with a fork). Blend lightly or mash to a desired consistency. If using canned garden eggs, add them now.
- 5
Season the vegetable mixture with lime juice, dried fish powder, salt, and crumbled Maggi cube. Mix well and do a taste test, adjusting seasoning as needed.
- 6
Heat the palm oil in a separate pot over medium heat. If using, add sliced onions and fry for about 5 minutes until crispy.
- 7
Add the seasoned vegetable mixture to the hot palm oil. Stir in the soumbara. Cook for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 8
Serve the Fouti Lafidi hot over cooked rice.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Soumbara (fermented locust beans) adds a unique umami flavor; it can be found in African markets.
- ✓Adjust the amount of palm oil to your preference; it's a key component of the dish's flavor and color.
- ✓The consistency can be adjusted by adding more or less water during the cooking process.
🔄 Variations
- Some recipes include dried shrimp or small pieces of fish for added flavor.
- A pinch of garlic powder or onion powder can be added for extra seasoning.