Fonio cooked with water

Directions

1. Heat a pan on the hob, add the fonio and cook, stirring constantly until the grains change color from fawn to brown (about 10 minutes’ cooking).

2. Take off the heat and set aside to cool then wash the fonio using the steps below.

3. Though pre-prepared fonio is available in supermarkets and convenience stores these days, most people still buy raw fonio in markets and prepare it at home.

4. If using raw, market-bought, fonio, then the first and essential step in its preparation is to wash the grain.

5. Pour the fonio into a large bowl and wash with water.

6. Pour the water out and cover with fresh water.

7. Again pour this water out and cover the grains with fresh water once more.

8. Use your hands to agitate the grains then pour out into a second bowl.

9. When the fonio is all poured out, there should be some water left in the first bowl, which contains particles of sand.

10. Continue washing in this way, until there is no more sand left in the base of the bowl.

11. Once the fonio has been washed, drain the grains then turn into a cloth and pat the grains dry.

12. You are now ready to cook the fonio.

13. Bring a pan of 1l water to a boil and add the fonio to this (do not stir).

14. After the fonio has settled, remove 250ml water from the pan and set aside.

15. Cook for about 2 minutes more, or until all the remaining water has been absorbed.

16. Reduce the heat then, using the handle of a wooden spoon stir the fonio to loosen the grains.

17. Check for doneness by pressing the fonio grains between your fingers.

18. If the grains crush easily, they are done.

19. If not, gradually add the reserved water and continue cooking.

20. Baked fonio will take no more than 15 minutes to cook.