Sauce Graine
Sauce Graine, also known as palm nut soup, is a rich and flavorful West African delicacy. Made from the pulp of palm nuts, it's simmered with meat, fish, or vegetables and typically served with fufu, rice, or other starches.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Palm nut concentrate (or fresh palm pulp)(If using fresh pulp, boil and pound to extract juice, then strain.)
- 750 g Beef or Goat meat(cut into pieces)
- 1 piece Smoked fish(cleaned and flaked)
- 200 g Shrimp or Prawns(peeled and deveined)
- 2 large Onions(1 chopped, 1 sliced)
- 3 medium Tomatoes(pureed)
- 5 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 tablespoon Ginger(grated)
- 1 Scotch bonnet pepper(or to taste, finely chopped)
- 2 tablespoons Palm oil(optional, for added richness)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 1 Bouillon cube(optional)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a large pot, combine the meat, sliced onion, garlic, ginger, salt, pepper, and bouillon cube (if using). Add enough water to cover and bring to a boil. Simmer until the meat is tender.
- 2
Add the palm nut concentrate (or strained palm juice) to the pot with the cooked meat. Stir well.
💡 Tip: If using concentrate, ensure it's well mixed to avoid lumps. - 3
Add the pureed tomatoes, chopped onion, and chopped scotch bonnet pepper. Stir everything together.
- 4
Bring the soup to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let it cook for at least 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce should thicken and the oil from the palm nuts may rise to the surface.
- 5
Add the flaked smoked fish and shrimp/prawns. Cook for another 15-20 minutes until the shrimp are pink and cooked through.
- 6
If using, stir in the optional palm oil for extra richness. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
💡 Tip: The palm oil adds a distinct flavor and color. - 7
Serve hot with fufu, boiled rice, or pounded yam.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Authentic sauce graine is made from fresh palm fruit pulp, which requires a more involved process of boiling and pounding.
- ✓The quality of the palm nut concentrate significantly impacts the final flavor.
- ✓Don't rush the simmering process; slow cooking allows the flavors to develop.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add other seafood like crab or mussels.
- Use a mix of different meats for added depth of flavor.