Fakoye (Malian Jute Leaf Sauce with Lamb)
In short: Lamb stewed with jute leaves, onion and warm spices into a thick, silky green sauce, served over rice, a favorite of Malian family tables. It takes about 1 h 50 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 1 h 30 min
- Total
- 1 h 50 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 630 kcal
Fakoye is Mali's jute leaf sauce, a thick, deep green stew with a silky, slightly slippery texture. Traditionally dried jute leaves are ground to a powder and stirred into a pot of lamb, onion and spices, with oil rising to the surface as it cooks. Frozen molokhia, found in Middle Eastern shops, makes it easy to cook abroad. Serve it over rice with a squeeze of lime, and expect leftovers to taste even better.
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Brown the lamb in two batches, about 5 minutes per batch, and set it aside.
- Cook the onions in the same pot for 8 minutes until soft and golden. Add the garlic and spices and cook for 1 minute.
- Return the lamb to the pot with the whole pepper, salt and water. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 45 minutes, until the lamb is nearly tender.
- Stir in the jute leaves, dried fish and soumbala, if using. Cook, partly covered, for 20 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce is thick and silky and the lamb is tender (well above 63°C / 145°F).
- Check the seasoning. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of hot water. Remove the whole pepper if you prefer less heat.
- Serve over rice, with a squeeze of lime if you like.
Tips
- No jute leaves? Frozen spinach with a little chopped okra gives a similar silky texture, though the flavor is milder. Dried jute leaf powder, sold in African shops, can be stirred in 2 tbsp at a time instead.
- Chicken or beef works too. Chicken thighs need only 30 minutes of cooking before the leaves go in.
Questions and answers
Is fakoye slimy?
It has a silky, slightly slippery texture, like okra. Keeping the pot partly uncovered while the leaves cook and adding a squeeze of lime tones it down.
Can I make fakoye ahead of time?
Yes. It keeps for 4 days in the fridge and tastes better on day two. It also freezes well for 3 months.
What do you serve with fakoye?
Plain white rice is traditional. A fresh pepper sauce on the side lets everyone adjust the heat.
How long does it take to make Fakoye (Malian Jute Leaf Sauce with Lamb)?
About 1 h 50 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 1 h 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Fakoye (Malian Jute Leaf Sauce with Lamb)?
About 630 kcal per serving, with 33 g of protein, 55 g of carbohydrates and 28 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 630 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 33 g |
| Carbohydrates | 55 g |
| Fat | 28 g |
| Fiber | 6 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 640 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
