Okra Sauce

Combo sauce , or okra sauce , is a traditional recipe widely enjoyed in several Central and West African countries, notably the Central African Republic, Cameroon, Gabon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It's a rich stew made with okra, often accompanied by meat, fish, or seafood, and served with starchy vegetables like cassava or plantains. That evening, I cooked it with mackerel.

Cooking time 30 minutes

Total time 30 minutes

Difficulty: Beginner

Servings: 5

Special diet: suitable for gluten-free diet

Ingredients

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

Preparation

1
Preparing smoked fish: If using smoked fish, soak it in hot water for about 10 minutes to rehydrate it, then remove the bones and set it aside.
2
Sauté the vegetables: In a saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté 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 pan and cook until they break down into a sauce. Then, add the okra slices and stir well to coat them in the sauce. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes.
4
Add the fish: Return the smoked fish to the pot. Pour in the water, add the bouillon cube and the whole chili pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, covered, over low heat for 20 to 30 minutes. For a richer sauce, you can add peanut butter and stir it in until well combined.
5
Seasoning: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove the chili pepper if you don't want the sauce to be too spicy.
6
Serving suggestion: Combo sauce is traditionally served with boiled cassava, fufu, or fried plantains.

Note

If you prefer a thicker sauce, cook it 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 Okra with beef or chicken: in this case, first brown the meat pieces in a little oil, then add it to the sauce while it cooks.

Keywords: African okra sauce, okra recipe