Dongo-Dongo (Gabonese Okra Stew with Smoked Fish)
Local name: Dongo-dongo
In short: A silky okra stew with smoked fish, onion, garlic and hot pepper, eaten as a soup or ladled over rice or fufu. It takes about 45 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Total
- 45 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 200 kcal
Dongo-dongo is a Gabonese okra stew, slippery and savory, cooked with smoked fish, onion, garlic and hot pepper. Finely cut okra releases its natural thickener into the broth, which turns the stew silky enough to cling to rice or fufu. It can be eaten as a soup or as a sauce. The smoked fish is the key flavor, so choose a good one.
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a pot over medium heat. Cook the onion for 6 minutes, until golden. Add the garlic and chilies and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the water, smoked fish, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add the okra. Simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the okra is soft and the stew has thickened and turned slippery.
- For a thicker texture, crush a few spoonfuls of okra against the side of the pot. Taste and adjust the salt.
- Serve hot in bowls, with fufu, rice or boiled cassava.
Tips
- Chop the okra very finely for the classic slippery texture. Cut in larger rounds, it stays more like a vegetable stew.
- Do not cover the pot while the okra cooks if you want to keep the bright green color. Add a squeeze of lime at the end for freshness.
Questions and answers
Why is dongo-dongo slimy?
Okra releases a natural thickener when cut and cooked. That slippery texture is what makes the stew cling to fufu and rice, and it is considered a feature, not a flaw.
What can I use instead of smoked fish?
Dried shrimp, smoked turkey or a few pieces of salted fish work. For a vegan version, use a spoonful of ground dried mushrooms for savory depth.
Can I use frozen okra?
Yes. Use 400 g (14 oz) frozen sliced okra straight from the freezer and add it at the same point. It becomes slippery even more quickly.
How long does it take to make Dongo-Dongo (Gabonese Okra Stew with Smoked Fish)?
About 45 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Dongo-Dongo (Gabonese Okra Stew with Smoked Fish)?
About 200 kcal per serving, with 10 g of protein, 15 g of carbohydrates and 13 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 200 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 10 g |
| Carbohydrates | 15 g |
| Fat | 13 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 870 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
