Dongo-Dongo is another example of an African dish that is both a sauce and a soup. It is sometimes made with fish, and sometimes with meat, but always with okra. Given that gombo or gumbo is the most common Central African name for okra , and that Dongo-Dongo is basically an okra soup, it seems likely that this recipe is a distant African relation of the famous Cajun-Creole Gumbo of Louisiana. See the early okra and gumbo recipes in the Rare African Recipes pages.
Dongo-Dongo Recipe
Okra, Central African style.
Prep Time 20 minsCook Time 40 minsTotal Time 1 hrYields 4 Servings Quarter (1 Serving) Half (2 Servings) Default (4 Servings) Double (8 Servings) Triple (12 Servings)
Ingredients
oil for sautéing
2 onions, finely chopped
2 chile peppers, cleaned and finely chopped
24 okra, ends removed, cleaned, and chopped — remember that the more it is cut, the slimier it becomes
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp Arome Maggi® sauce or two Maggi® cubes with water
dried, salted, or smoked fish, cleaned and rinsed (use a little just as a flavoring, or enough for everyone to have a serving)
a pinch of baking soda (optional)
½ cup tomato paste (optional)
Instructions
1 Heat oil in a deep pot. Sauté onions and garlic for a few minutes.
2 Add Maggi® sauce or Maggi® cubes, okra, and peppers. Cook for several minutes.
3 Add enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and add fish.
4 If desired, add the baking soda (for a gooey sauce) or the tomato paste (for a red sauce). Simmer until the okra and fish are tender.
Ingredients oil for sautéing
2 onions, finely chopped
2 chile peppers, cleaned and finely chopped
24 okra, ends removed, cleaned, and chopped — remember that the more it is cut, the slimier it becomes
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp Arome Maggi® sauce or two Maggi® cubes with water
dried, salted, or smoked fish, cleaned and rinsed (use a little just as a flavoring, or enough for everyone to have a serving)
a pinch of baking soda (optional)
½ cup tomato paste (optional)
Directions 1 Heat oil in a deep pot. Sauté onions and garlic for a few minutes.
2 Add Maggi® sauce or Maggi® cubes, okra, and peppers. Cook for several minutes.
3 Add enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and add fish.
4 If desired, add the baking soda (for a gooey sauce) or the tomato paste (for a red sauce). Simmer until the okra and fish are tender.
Dongo-Dongo is usually served with a starch, such as Fufu , Baton de Manioc (also called Chikwangue ) or Rice .
Many Central African cooks use baking soda, or a piece of rough potash, to give a salty flavor to soups and sauces.
Is Dongo-Dongo a reduplication? See the Coupé-Coupé recipe.