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Kouakouba (Steamed Millet Balls with Dried River Fish Stew)
Dense steamed pearl millet dumplings served with a rich, soumbala-spiced sun-dried Niger River fish stew.
The story
In the central Niger Inland Delta around Mopti, Bozo fishermen return from arduous river expeditions to bowls of hearty Kouakouba. The dish reflects the riverine bounty of dried fish preserved under the Sahelian sun and the resilience of drought-hardy pearl millet. Bozo cooks maintain a distinct two-stage steaming technique for the millet dough to ensure the balls hold their firm, chewy shape without dissolving into the pungent stew.
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