Gboflour Sauce
A rich and savory Ivorian sauce made from ground egusi seeds (gboflour), often cooked with palm nut cream, vegetables, and meat or fish. It has a unique nutty flavor and thick texture.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 cups Egusi seeds (gboflour)(ground)
- 400 ml Palm nut cream (banga)(canned or fresh)
- 1 large Onion(chopped)
- 400 g Tomatoes(crushed or pureed)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 inch piece Ginger(grated)
- 1 small Scotch bonnet pepper(finely chopped (optional))
- 500 g Meat or fish(e.g., beef, chicken, or smoked fish, cut into pieces)
- 3 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 2 cups Water or broth
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 2 tbsp Crayfish(ground (optional))
- 2 cups Leafy greens(e.g., spinach or bitter leaf, chopped (optional))
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
If using raw egusi seeds, toast them lightly in a dry pan over medium heat until fragrant, then grind into a fine powder. If using pre-ground egusi, skip this step.
💡 Tip: Be careful not to burn the seeds. - 2
In a pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 3
Add the crushed tomatoes and the optional scotch bonnet pepper. Cook for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomato mixture has thickened and the oil starts to separate.
- 4
Add the palm nut cream and water or broth to the pot. Stir well to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
💡 Tip: If using canned palm nut cream, you might need to dilute it with a bit more water. - 5
Add the meat or fish (if using) to the simmering sauce. Cover and cook for about 20-30 minutes, or until the meat is tender.
- 6
Gradually whisk in the ground egusi seeds, a little at a time, to prevent lumps. Stir continuously until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
💡 Tip: The sauce will continue to thicken as it cooks. - 7
Add the ground crayfish (if using) and salt to taste. If using leafy greens, stir them in and cook for another 5 minutes until wilted.
- 8
Simmer the sauce for another 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the egusi to cook through. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- 9
Serve the Gboflour Sauce hot with a side of rice, fufu, or attieke.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Ensure egusi seeds are finely ground for a smooth sauce.
- ✓Stirring constantly when adding egusi is crucial to avoid lumps.
- ✓Adjust the amount of palm nut cream and water to achieve the desired thickness.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Use different types of meat or seafood, such as shrimp or goat meat.
- Add other vegetables like okra or bell peppers.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and fish.