Millet Dumplings with Saka Saka Sauce
A delightful Chadian dish featuring tender millet dumplings served with Saka Saka, a flavorful sauce made from spinach and okra. This dish highlights the use of millet as a staple grain and showcases the combination of earthy greens and thickening okra.
🧂 Ingredients
- 250 g Millet flour
- 1 cup Water(plus more as needed for dough and sauce)
- 1 tsp Salt(divided)
- 200 g Spinach(fresh, washed and chopped)
- 150 g Okra(fresh or frozen, chopped)
- 1 medium Onion(chopped)
- 2 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 1 Bouillon cube(optional)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the millet dough: In a bowl, combine millet flour with 1/2 tsp salt. Gradually add water, mixing until a firm but pliable dough forms. Add more water if needed. Cover and let rest for 15 minutes.
- 2
Form the dumplings: Roll small portions of the dough into bite-sized balls or flatten them slightly.
- 3
Prepare the Saka Saka sauce: Heat vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
- 4
Add the chopped spinach, chopped okra, 1/2 tsp salt, and the optional bouillon cube to the saucepan. Stir well.
- 5
Add about 1 cup of water (or enough to cover the vegetables). Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat, cover, and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the okra is tender and the spinach has wilted.
- 6
For a smoother sauce, you can blend the mixture using an immersion blender or transfer it to a regular blender. Be careful when blending hot liquids.
- 7
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Carefully add the millet dumplings to the simmering sauce. Ensure they are submerged.
- 8
Cover and cook for another 15-20 minutes, or until the millet dumplings are cooked through and firm. The sauce will thicken due to the okra.
- 9
Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve the millet dumplings hot in the Saka Saka sauce.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓If the dough is too sticky, add a little more millet flour. If too dry, add a teaspoon of water at a time.
- ✓For a spicier sauce, add a pinch of chili flakes or a finely chopped chili pepper with the garlic.
- ✓Ensure the sauce is simmering gently when adding the dumplings to prevent them from breaking apart.
🔄 Variations
- Add small pieces of cooked beef or fish to the Saka Saka sauce for a more substantial meal.
- Incorporate other leafy greens like cassava leaves or amaranth leaves.