Koklo Meme

About This Recipe

Koklo Meme means 'grilled chicken' in Ewe and is Togo's most famous dish. Whole chicken pieces are marinated in a blend of garlic, ginger, and scotch bonnet, then grilled over charcoal until charred and smoky. The accompanying tomato-pepper sauce is spicy, tangy, and absolutely essential.

Ingredients

Serves 4

• 1 wholechicken, cut into pieces
• 4 clovesgarlic, minced
• 1 tspginger, grated
• 2scotch bonnet peppers
• 3 mediumtomatoes, blended
• 2 tbspvegetable oil

Instructions

1. 1

   Marinate

   Mix garlic, ginger, half the scotch bonnet, salt, and oil. Score chicken pieces and rub with marinade. Rest 20 minutes minimum.

2. 2

   Grill chicken

   Grill over high heat, turning occasionally, for 30–40 minutes until cooked through and charred on edges.

3. 3

   Make sauce

   Blend tomatoes with remaining scotch bonnet, fry in oil with a chopped onion for 15 minutes until thick.

4. 4

   Serve

   Plate chicken with tomato sauce on the side and fried plantains or rice.

Variations

• •

  Use guinea fowl for a traditional alternative to chicken.

• •

  Add ground crayfish to the tomato sauce for extra depth.

Storage

Refrigerate cooked chicken up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 180°C.

Frequently Asked Questions