Tô

About This Recipe

Tô is the quintessential staple of Mali and much of the Sahel region. A stiff, smooth porridge made from millet or sorghum flour, it is shaped into a mound and served alongside flavorful sauces — most commonly a rich peanut (tigadèguèna) or leafy vegetable sauce.

Ingredients

Serves 4

• 2 cupsmillet flour (or sorghum flour)
• 4 cupswater
• 1 tspsalt

Instructions

1. 1

   Make a slurry

   Whisk flour with 1 cup of cold water until smooth.

2. 2

   Boil water

   Bring remaining 3 cups of water and salt to a boil in a heavy pot.

3. 3

   Cook

   Pour slurry into boiling water while stirring constantly. Reduce heat and stir vigorously for 15 minutes until very thick and the dough leaves the sides.

4. 4

   Serve

   Wet a bowl, place tô inside, smooth the top, and invert onto a plate. Serve surrounded by sauce.

Variations

• •

  Use maize flour for a milder flavour.

• •

  Mix half millet, half sorghum for a nuttier taste.

• •

  Vegetarian: swap the protein for roasted king oyster mushrooms, smoked tofu or cooked chickpeas — adjust seasoning slightly upward to compensate.

• •

  Spicier: add a finely chopped fresh chile or a teaspoon of crushed Aleppo/Urfa pepper to the aromatics for warm, layered heat instead of a single sharp hit.

Storage

Refrigerate up to 2 days. Reheat with a little water.

Frequently Asked Questions