Tô with Sauce Gombo (Burkinabe Millet Porridge with Okra Sauce)
Local name: Tô et sauce gombo
In short: Firm millet porridge dipped into a savory sauce of okra, tomato, smoked fish and fermented locust beans, the everyday meal of Burkina Faso. It takes about 1 h 15 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 55 min
- Total
- 1 h 15 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 425 kcal
Tô is the daily bread of Burkina Faso: a firm porridge of millet, sorghum or maize flour, eaten by hand from a shared bowl. You pinch off a piece, press a hollow in it with your thumb and scoop up the sauce. Okra sauce, or sauce gombo, is a favorite, made with tomato, smoked fish and soumbala, the fermented locust bean seasoning that gives so many Sahelian dishes their savory depth.
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a heavy pot over medium heat. Cook the onion for 5 minutes, until soft, then add the tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes more, until they break down.
- Add the water, smoked fish, soumbala, whole chili and salt. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes.
- Stir in the okra and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, until it is tender and the sauce is slightly silky. Taste and adjust the salt, then keep the sauce warm over very low heat.
- For the tô, whisk 75 g (2/3 cup) of the flour with 250 ml (1 cup) of cold water until smooth. Bring the remaining 750 ml (3 cups) of water to a boil in a second heavy pot, whisk in the paste and cook for 5 to 8 minutes, until it forms a thin, smooth porridge.
- Lower the heat. Add the remaining flour a handful at a time, beating hard with a wooden spoon after each addition, until the mixture is a stiff, smooth dough that pulls away from the sides of the pot.
- Cover and cook on the lowest heat for 5 to 8 minutes, then beat once more. Shape into smooth mounds in a wet bowl and serve at once, with the okra sauce in a separate bowl for dipping.
Tips
- Soumbala (also sold as dawadawa or iru) is available online and at African grocers. If you cannot find it, use 1 teaspoon of fish sauce for a similar savory depth.
- Millet or sorghum flour gives the classic flavor. Fine white maize meal makes a milder tô and is easier to find. Beat hard as you add the flour so that no lumps form.
Questions and answers
What does tô taste like?
It is mild and slightly earthy, with a firm, smooth texture. Most of the flavor comes from the sauce, which is why tô is always served with something savory.
How do you eat tô?
Use the fingers of your right hand. Pinch off a small piece, roll it into a ball, press a dent in it with your thumb and scoop up the sauce.
Can I use frozen okra for the sauce?
Yes. Add chopped frozen okra directly to the pot and simmer for 3 to 5 minutes longer than you would fresh okra.
How long does it take to make Tô with Sauce Gombo (Burkinabe Millet Porridge with Okra Sauce)?
About 1 h 15 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 55 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Tô with Sauce Gombo (Burkinabe Millet Porridge with Okra Sauce)?
About 425 kcal per serving, with 15 g of protein, 67 g of carbohydrates and 11 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 425 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 15 g |
| Carbohydrates | 67 g |
| Fat | 11 g |
| Fiber | 9 g |
| Sugar | 7 g |
| Sodium | 520 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
