Togolese Lamb and Okra Stew (Agounkoun)
A hearty and flavorful stew featuring tender lamb, okra, and a rich tomato-based sauce, often served with rice or fufu. This dish highlights the use of okra for thickening and a unique blend of spices.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Lamb shoulder(cut into 2-inch pieces)
- 500 g Okra(trimmed and sliced)
- 2 large Onions(chopped)
- 800 g Tomatoes(crushed or pureed)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 tablespoon Ginger(grated)
- 3 tablespoons Vegetable oil
- 1 small Scotch bonnet pepper(finely chopped (optional, for heat))
- 1 or to taste Stock cube
- 500 ml Water(or as needed)
- 1 teaspoon Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper(freshly ground)
- 0.25 cup Coriander leaves(chopped, for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the lamb pieces on all sides. Remove lamb and set aside.
- 2
Add chopped onions to the pot and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- 3
Stir in minced garlic, grated ginger, and chopped scotch bonnet pepper (if using). Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- 4
Add the crushed tomatoes to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- 5
Return the browned lamb to the pot. Add water and the stock cube. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 1 hour, or until the lamb is tender.
- 6
Add the sliced okra to the stew. Stir well, cover, and continue to cook for another 20-30 minutes, or until the okra is tender and has helped to thicken the stew.
- 7
Season the stew with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- 8
Serve hot, garnished with chopped coriander leaves. This stew is traditionally served with rice, fufu, or other starches.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓To reduce the sliminess of okra, you can lightly sauté it separately before adding it to the stew, or soak it in salted water for 30 minutes before cooking.
- ✓For a deeper flavor, marinate the lamb overnight with some of the aromatics.
- ✓Adjust the amount of scotch bonnet pepper to your preferred level of heat.
🔄 Variations
- Add other vegetables like carrots or bell peppers along with the okra.
- Substitute beef or goat meat for lamb.
- For a vegetarian version, use firm tofu or plant-based meat alternatives and vegetable broth.