Siga Wassa Koun Fonio
Siga Wassa Koun Fonio is a hearty and flavorful Malian dish featuring tender beef simmered in a rich peanut and tomato sauce, served over fluffy fonio grain. This dish is a celebration of Malian staples, combining the earthiness of fonio with the savory depth of beef and the creamy texture of peanut sauce.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Beef(cubed)
- 2 cups Fonio
- 2 large Onions(chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 400 g Tomatoes(canned, diced)
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 1 cup Peanut butter(unsweetened)
- 4 cups Vegetable broth
- 2 medium Carrots(peeled and chopped)
- 1 medium Sweet potatoes(peeled and cubed)
- 1 tsp Cayenne pepper(or to taste)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the beef cubes on all sides. Remove beef and set aside.
- 2
Add chopped onions to the pot and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 3
Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and cayenne pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- 4
Return the browned beef to the pot. Add the vegetable broth, carrots, and sweet potatoes. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour, or until the beef is tender.
- 5
In a separate bowl, whisk the peanut butter with about 1 cup of hot water from the simmering stew until smooth. Add this mixture to the pot, stirring well to combine.
- 6
Continue to simmer, uncovered, for another 20-30 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- 7
While the stew is simmering, cook the fonio according to package directions. Typically, this involves rinsing the fonio, then simmering it in 4 cups of water or broth for about 10-15 minutes until tender and the liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork.
- 8
Serve the Siga Wassa Koun over a bed of fluffy fonio.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a deeper flavor, you can marinate the beef in some of the spices overnight.
- ✓If the sauce is too thick, add a little more broth or water. If it's too thin, simmer uncovered for a bit longer.
- ✓Adjust the cayenne pepper to your spice preference.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add other vegetables like bell peppers or okra.
- For a richer sauce, use beef broth instead of vegetable broth.
- Serve with couscous or rice if fonio is unavailable.