West Africa · Main
Margou (Zarma Braised Mutton and Leaf Stew with Pounded Sesame)
Succulent mutton braised with sorrel greens and thickened with toasted ground sesame seeds into an aromatic, velvety sauce.
The story
Margou is an esteemed culinary centerpiece prepared by the Zarma-Songhai people along the Niger River valley. The stew is traditionally cooked for marriage feasts, harvest celebrations, and naming ceremonies to honor visiting elders. Cooks rely on pounding freshly toasted whole sesame seeds in a mortar until slightly oily, which yields an emulsified, rich gravy that balances the naturally tart bite of the sorrel greens.
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