Welcome to the vibrant world of Ivorian cuisine, where bold flavors and rich traditions come together to create culinary masterpieces. One such masterpiece is the delectable Sauce Graine, a cherished dish hailing from Côte d'Ivoire. This savory sauce, featuring a base of palm nut or coconut, combined with an array of aromatic spices and tender meats or fish, embodies the essence of West African cooking.

In this recipe, we will take you on a journey to discover the secrets behind preparing an authentic Côte d'Ivoire Sauce Graine. From selecting the freshest ingredients to mastering the art of simmering, every step is infused with the essence of Ivorian culture and culinary heritage. So, roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and get ready to tantalize your taste buds with this delightful taste of West Africa.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of palm nuts (palm nut pulp or palm nut concentrate)
• 500g of fish or meat (chicken, beef, or goat), cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 tomatoes, diced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon of ginger, grated
• 2-3 hot peppers (habanero or scotch bonnet), finely chopped (adjust to taste)
• 1 cup of water or fish/meat stock
• Salt to taste
• 1 teaspoon of ground crayfish (optional)
• 1 teaspoon of ground shrimp powder (optional)
• 1 cup of chopped spinach or bitter leaf (optional)
• 2 tablespoons of red palm oil

Instructions:

1- If using fresh palm nuts, crack them open and remove the pulp. If using palm nut concentrate, dilute it in water according to package instructions.

2- Place the palm nut pulp or diluted concentrate in a large bowl. Add water and massage the pulp with your hands to release the oils. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve, collecting the palm nut milk in a separate bowl. Set aside.

3- In a large pot or saucepan, heat the red palm oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until translucent.

4- Stir in the minced garlic, grated ginger, and chopped hot peppers. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until fragrant.

5- Add the diced tomatoes to the pot and cook until they start to soften.

6- Now, add the fish or meat pieces to the pot and cook until they are lightly browned on all sides.

7- Pour in the palm nut milk, stirring to combine with the other ingredients in the pot. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

8- Season the sauce with salt to taste, and add the ground crayfish and shrimp powder if using. Stir well to incorporate.

9- Cover the pot and let the sauce simmer gently for about 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the flavors meld together and the sauce thickens slightly.

10- If using chopped spinach or bitter leaf, add it to the sauce during the last 5 minutes of cooking.

11-Once the sauce is ready, adjust the seasoning if needed and serve hot with boiled rice, fufu, or any other preferred side dish.

Enjoy your authentic Côte d'Ivoire Sauce Graine, bursting with the flavors of palm nuts and spices, served with tender fish or meat—a true taste of West African delight!

Nutritional Values:

Here's an approximate nutritional breakdown for the ingredients in the Côte d'Ivoire Sauce Graine recipe:

Palm nuts (2 cups):

• Calories: 1040 kcal
• Fat: 108g
• Carbohydrates: 12g
• Protein: 8g
• Fiber: 4g

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Fish or meat (500g):

• Nutritional values vary depending on the type of meat chosen (chicken, beef, or goat). Here's an approximate breakdown for chicken:
• Calories: 1095 kcal
• Fat: 64g
• Carbohydrates: 0g
• Protein: 126g

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Onion (1 large):

• Calories: 60 kcal
• Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 14g
• Protein: 2g
• Fiber: 3g

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Tomatoes (2 medium):

• Calories: 44 kcal
• Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 10g
• Protein: 2g
• Fiber: 3g

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Garlic (2 cloves):

• Calories: 8 kcal
• Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 2g
• Protein: 0g

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Ginger (1 tablespoon):

• Calories: 18 kcal
• Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 4g
• Protein: 0g

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Hot peppers (2-3):

• Calories: 15 kcal
• Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 3g
• Protein: 1g

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Water or stock (1 cup):

• Calories: 0 kcal
• Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 0g
• Protein: 0g

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Salt (to taste): Nutritional values may vary based on the quantity used.

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Ground crayfish (1 teaspoon):

• Calories: 8 kcal
• Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 1g
• Protein: 1g

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Ground shrimp powder (1 teaspoon):

• Calories: 5 kcal
• Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 1g
• Protein: 1g

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Spinach or bitter leaf (1 cup):

• Calories: 7 kcal
• Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 1g
• Protein: 1g
• Fiber: 1g

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Red palm oil (2 tablespoons):

• Calories: 240 kcal
• Fat: 28g
• Carbohydrates: 0g
• Protein: 0g

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Please note that these values are approximate and may vary based on factors such as cooking methods and specific ingredients used.