Togolese Fufu with Light Soup

Introduction to Togolese Fufu and Light Soup

Delve into the heart of West African cuisine with this comforting and flavorful dish: Fufu paired with Light Soup. This staple meal hails from Togo, offering you a taste of its rich culture and culinary traditions.

Ingredients

For Fufu:

• 2 cups of instant Fufu mix or pounded yams
• 4 cups of water

For Light Soup:

• 1 lb of fresh tomatoes, blended
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon of tomato paste
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon of ginger, grated
• 1 lb of chicken, cut into pieces
• 4 cups of chicken broth
• 1 Scotch bonnet pepper (optional)
• Salt to taste
• 1 teaspoon of curry powder (optional)
• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
• Fresh herbs (parsley or cilantro) for garnish

Instructions

Preparing the Light Soup:

1. In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat.
2. Add the onions, garlic, and ginger, and sauté until they are fragrant and slightly golden.
3. Stir in the blended fresh tomatoes and tomato paste, and cook for 10 minutes.
4. Add the chicken pieces to the pot and stir to coat with the tomato mixture.
5. Pour in the chicken broth and add the Scotch bonnet pepper if using. Season with salt and curry powder.
6. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 20-30 minutes until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and the flavors meld together.
7. Taste and adjust the seasoning as necessary.
8. Garnish with fresh herbs before serving.

Preparing the Fufu:

1. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a large pot.
2. Gradually whisk in the Fufu mix or add the pounded yams.
3. Stir constantly for about 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes thick and smooth.
4. When the Fufu has cooked and is stretchy, turn off the heat.
5. With a wet wooden spoon or spatula, shape the Fufu into round servings.

Serving Suggestion

Once both the Light Soup and Fufu are ready, serve them in separate dishes. Take a small piece of Fufu with your fingers, dip it into the Light Soup, and enjoy the blend of spicy and savory flavors that define this Togolese delight.

Bon appétit!