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Mbsi: recipe illustration
Everyday meals

Mbsi

Mbsi is a dish of pounded cassava leaves cooked slowly with smoked fish and palm oil. Its melting texture and smoky flavour make it a comforting staple of everyday Gabonese cooking.

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Ingredients

Ingredients

Spices & seasoning

Optional extras

On the side

Instructions

  1. Rinse the cassava leaves, then pound them finely in a mortar or chop them very fine to make a paste.
  2. Soak the smoked fish in lukewarm water for 10 minutes, drain it, remove the bones and flake the flesh.
  3. In a large pot, heat the palm oil, then fry the sliced onions and garlic until golden.
  4. Add the smoked fish and the chilli, then cook for 3 minutes, stirring.
  5. Stir in the pounded leaves, cover with water and cook gently for 1 h 30, stirring now and then and adding water if needed.
  6. Season with the salt, pepper and powdered stock, then serve hot with the cassava stick.

Variations and tips

Family version. Add a few dried shrimp to boost the sea flavour.

With what you can find here. Spinach can replace the cassava leaves, but the flavour will be milder.

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Original Ecomely recipe.