Beef with Odika Sauce, or Beef in Wild Mango Kernel Sauce, is called Boeuf aux Mangues Sauvages in French-speaking central Africa. That might make you think of a sauce made from mango fruit. Indeed, mango fruit is used in Eastern Africa (and moreso in India) to make various chutneys and pickles. This recipe makes use of the kernel, or the inner part of the seed, of the mangue sauvage or wild mango fruit. The African manguier sauvage or wild mango tree (Irvingia gabonensis or Irvingia wombolu) is a tree species similar, but unrelated, to the true mango, Mangifera indica. True mangoes, which also grow in Africa, are evidently not used in this way. After the mango seeds are cracked open, the inner kernels are collected, cooked, crushed, and shaped into cakes or loaves which are called odika, dika, or etima. These are used as a flavoring and thickener in soups and stews. Freshly made odika can be used immediately or stored for future use. The wild mango tree grows throughout equatorial central Africa and western Africa, especially along the Gulf of Guinea. In Nigeria, the wild mango kernels are called ogbono or apon. Packaged ogbono or apon (whole or crushed) is available in import grocery stores outside of Africa. (See: Ogbono Soup.)

Beef with Odika Sauce Recipe

Beef with sauce made from the seeds of the wild mango.

Prep Time20 minsCook Time1 hrTotal Time1 hr 20 minsYields4 Servings

Ingredients

 salt (to taste)
 2 lbs beef, round steak or stew meat, cut into large bite-sized pieces
 1 cup ogbono or apon, packaged (available at African import grocery stores) — or — 12 wild mango kernels, crushed with a mortar and pestle
 1 cup red palm oil, or any cooking oil
 2 tomatoes, peeled and chopped
 1 onion, finely chopped
 1 tbsp dried shrimp
 cayenne pepper or red pepper (to taste)

Instructions

1

In a large pot bring a few cups of salted water to a boil. Add the meat and cook it for a few minutes. Drain. Remove the meat and set it aside.

2

If using whole wild mango kernels:
Heat enough oil nfor pan frying in a skillet. Add the kernels. Cook on low heat, stirring often. While the meat-tomato-onion mixture (next step) is simmering, use a potato-masher (or similar) to crush the wild mango kernels. Keep warm.

3

Heat the remaining oil to the pot the meat was cooked in. Add the tomato, onion, and dried shrimp. Cook for a few minutes then add the meat. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for an hour.

4

When the meat is fully cooked and tender to your liking, grate the ogbono or apon or make sure the the wild mango kernels are well mashed, and add it to the meat bit by bit, stirring often. Be careful to avoid forming lumps. Continue to simmer, stirring often, for a few minutes or until the sauce reaches the desired thickness. Adjust seasoning.

Ingredients

 salt (to taste)
 2 lbs beef, round steak or stew meat, cut into large bite-sized pieces
 1 cup ogbono or apon, packaged (available at African import grocery stores) — or — 12 wild mango kernels, crushed with a mortar and pestle
 1 cup red palm oil, or any cooking oil
 2 tomatoes, peeled and chopped
 1 onion, finely chopped
 1 tbsp dried shrimp
 cayenne pepper or red pepper (to taste)

Directions

1

In a large pot bring a few cups of salted water to a boil. Add the meat and cook it for a few minutes. Drain. Remove the meat and set it aside.

2

If using whole wild mango kernels:
Heat enough oil nfor pan frying in a skillet. Add the kernels. Cook on low heat, stirring often. While the meat-tomato-onion mixture (next step) is simmering, use a potato-masher (or similar) to crush the wild mango kernels. Keep warm.

3

Heat the remaining oil to the pot the meat was cooked in. Add the tomato, onion, and dried shrimp. Cook for a few minutes then add the meat. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for an hour.

4

When the meat is fully cooked and tender to your liking, grate the ogbono or apon or make sure the the wild mango kernels are well mashed, and add it to the meat bit by bit, stirring often. Be careful to avoid forming lumps. Continue to simmer, stirring often, for a few minutes or until the sauce reaches the desired thickness. Adjust seasoning.

Beef with Odika Sauce
IngredientsDirections

Serve meat and sauce with boiled Yam or sweet potato.