Cassava Couscous (Attieke)

⏱ 30 mins 🍽 Serves 6 🌶 african 🏷 Side dish

Attieke is a traditional African side dish made from fermented cassava, offering a gluten-free couscous alternative with a pleasant tang. This version is quickly prepared by sautéing a mix of aromatic vegetables, then toasting peanuts and sesame seeds before steaming the couscous. The result is a moist, flavourful dish ready in about 30 minutes, perfect for serving six people as a dinner accompaniment. Fresh cilantro adds a final bright note to the savoury and slightly nutty flavours.

Cassava Couscous (Attieke)

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 0.25 cup minced yellow onion
  • 0.25 cup minced carrot
  • 0.25 cup minced celery
  • 0.25 cup chopped peanuts
  • 2 tablespoons black sesame seeds
  • 1 bay leaf
  • salt to taste
  • 1 (300 g) box attieke (cassava couscous)
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Method

  1. Warm the oil in a large skillet. Cook the minced onion, carrot and celery until aromatic, which should take 3 to 4 minutes. Mix in the peanuts, sesame seeds, bay leaf and salt, continuing to stir until the vegetables soften and the nuts and seeds become toasted. Add the attieke, stirring constantly, then pour 1 cup of water evenly over the skillet's contents.
  2. Place a lid on the skillet and lower the heat. Allow the attieke to steam until it becomes moist and is thoroughly heated, about 5 minutes.
  3. Remove the lid from the skillet. Gently fold the attieke using a spatula. Finish by scattering the chopped cilantro over the top.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories79 kcal
Fat7 g
Sugars1 g
Protein2 g
Sodium10 mg

Recipe details

CategorySide dish
Cuisineafrican
AuthorBuckwheat Queen