Fura da Nono (Millet Balls in Soured Milk)
Local name: Fura da nono
In short: Spiced millet balls boiled, mashed and stirred into chilled soured milk. A filling, tangy Sahel drink eaten with a spoon in the afternoon heat. It takes about 50 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 50 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 335 kcal
Fura da nono is a classic of the Sahel, found among Hausa, Fulani and Zarma communities in Niger. Millet is ground with ginger, cloves and pepper, boiled into balls and mashed, then crumbled into cold soured milk called nono. It sits somewhere between a drink and a meal. Herders and farmers take it to the field, and families serve it in the afternoon, ice cold, with a spoon or a ladle.
Instructions
- Mix the millet flour, ginger, cloves, pepper and salt in a bowl. Add water a spoonful at a time until you have a firm, smooth dough that does not stick to your hands.
- Shape the dough into 16 balls about the size of a walnut. Bring a pot of water to a gentle simmer.
- Lower the balls into the water and simmer for 15 minutes, until they float and the centers are cooked through.
- Lift the balls out with a slotted spoon, reserving a cup of the water. Mash them in a bowl, adding a splash of cooking water, until you have a thick, smooth paste.
- Shape the paste into 8 larger balls, dust lightly with millet flour, and leave to cool for 30 minutes.
- Whisk the yogurt with the cold milk and sugar in a large bowl. Break the fura balls into pieces over the top and stir gently. Serve very cold in bowls.
Tips
- Authentic nono is cow's milk fermented overnight, and its sourness varies. Plain yogurt thinned with milk is a close, reliable substitute.
- Serve straight after mixing. The millet keeps absorbing liquid and the drink thickens if it sits for more than an hour.
Questions and answers
Is fura da nono a drink or a meal?
Both. It is eaten with a spoon or drunk from a bowl, and it is filling enough to count as a light meal.
Can I make it without the spices?
Yes, but the ginger, cloves and pepper give fura its warm, characteristic flavor. Use half the amount for a milder version.
Can I use sorghum flour?
Yes. Sorghum flour makes a slightly sweeter fura with the same method.
How long does it take to make Fura da Nono (Millet Balls in Soured Milk)?
About 50 min in total: 30 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Fura da Nono (Millet Balls in Soured Milk)?
About 335 kcal per serving, with 12 g of protein, 55 g of carbohydrates and 8 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 335 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 12 g |
| Carbohydrates | 55 g |
| Fat | 8 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 21 g |
| Sodium | 235 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
