Okra Sauce

Combo sauce , or Gombo sauce , is a traditional recipe very widespread in several countries in Central African and West, notably in the Central African Republic, Cameroon, Gabon and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is a rich stew made from Gombo (or Okra), often accompanied by meat, fish or seafood, and served with starchy foods such as cassava or plantain. I have it that evening cooked with a mackerel.

Cooking time 30 mins

Total time 30 mins

Difficulty: beginner

Servings: 5

Ingredients

500 g fresh okra, cut into rounds
200 g smoked fish (or beef or goat meat, depending on regional variation)
2 Tbsp palm oil or vegetable oil
2 ripe tomatoes, diced
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cloves of garlic, crushed
1 whole chili pepper (optional, to taste)
1 stock cube (check that it is gluten-free)
500 ml of water
Salt and pepper to taste
2 Tbsp peanut paste (optional)

Preparation

1
Preparing the smoked fish: If using smoked fish, soak it in hot water for about 10 minutes to rehydrate it, then remove the bones and set aside.
2
Brown the vegetables: In a saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion and fry until translucent. Add the crushed garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, until fragrant.
3
Add the tomatoes and okra: Stir the diced tomatoes into the pot and cook until they break down into a sauce. Next, add the okra slices and stir well to coat them with the sauce. Let cook for 5 to 7 minutes.
4
Add the fish: Return the smoked fish to the pan. Pour in the water, add the stock cube and the whole pepper. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, covered, over low heat for 20 to 30 minutes. If you want a richer sauce, you can add peanut paste and mix until well incorporated.
5
Seasoning: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove the chili if you don't want the sauce to be too spicy.
6
Serving: Combo sauce is traditionally served with boiled cassava, foufou, or fried plantains.

Note

If you prefer a thicker sauce, cook longer so the okra releases more mucilage. You can also add shrimp or a whole fish to the sauce for a richer seafood version.

You can also make this Gumbo with beef or chicken: in this case, first brown the meat in pieces in a little oil to brown it, then add it to the sauce while it cooks.

Keywords: African Okra Sauce, okra recipe,

Read it online: https://glutenevasion.fr/recette/sauce-gombo/