FOUTI LAFIDI

Today I am sharing with you an authentic Guinean dish called Fouti Lafidi. It is a very popular dish in Guinea Conakry if not the most popular. As a matter of fact, you can serve it for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Growing up, we use to eat Fouti for breakfast every weekend. We would often make it at home. And sometimes buy it in the neighborhood.

There are various ways to make Fouti. However I find this recipe the simplest yet most delicious way to make Fouti Lafidi. You can also check out the video version here. Hope you enjoy!

If you recreate this recipe, let me know how it turned out. Bon appétit!

Ingredients

• 10 okras
• 3 large eggplants
• 4 garden eggs / African eggplants (fresh or canned)
• 1 lime
• 1 tbsp of “bonga” (dried fish powder)
• 1tsp of salt
• 1 maggi cube
• 1/2 cup of “odji” (soumbara)
• 2 cups of palm oil
• 4 cups of rice (I prefer parboiled rice)
• 1/4 onion sliced (optional)

Notes: this recipe is often made with some degree of spiciness. I’m omitting using a scotch bonnet pepper 🌶 in this recipe. But feel free to add some if you don’t mind the heat.

Let’s get cooking

Step 1 – Cook the Rice

Wash the rice and cook according to the instructions on the box/bag.

Step 2 – Prepping

Wash all the vegetables.

Peel and cut the eggplants in half, then lengthwise.

Transfer the okras, cut eggplants, garden eggs into a deep pot, add water and bring to a boil.

Notes: If using canned garden eggs, no need to boil them. Simply strain the can and set them aside until it’s time to blend.

Step 3-Blending

Once the vegetables are tender, drain the water.

Tip: while draining the water, use a spatula to press on the vegetables to help remove all the excess water and transfer in a bowl.

Use a fork to mash them up or simply add them in a blender. Blend lightly without over processing.

Once the veggies are mashed up or blended, it’s time to season!

Step 4 – Seasoning

Add the maggi cube, salt, 1 tbsp of soumbara/odji, 1 tbsp of dried fish powder, fresh lime juice and mix together. Do a taste test and adjust the seasoning to your liking.

Step 5 – Palm Oil

Heat the palm oil on the stove. You can add sliced onions and fry them on  low heat for about 5 minutes or until they become crispy.

Notes:

• Frying the onions is optional. Their doneness depends on your liking.
• You can also heat the oil in the microwave for about a minute.

Plating:

Serve the rice, spread the vegetable mixture over it, drizzle some palm oil , and add the remaining soumbara.

If you try this recipe and enjoy it, let me know! Bon appétit!

You can check out another version of Fouti on my channel down below 👇🏾