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 Time20 minsCook Time40 minsTotal Time1 hrYields4 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

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.