Fonio Pilau

Fonio Pilau - West African ingredient meets East African cuisine. Pilau is a traditional dish from Tanzanian cuisine. It is especially popular on festive days like Christmas and is normally prepared with rice. Fonio also works wonderfully. Cinnamon, cardamom, pepper, allspice and a pinch of ginger turn the fonio into a true explosion of flavor. Recipe by Velvet & Vinegar, whose husband is from Tanzania.

05/03/2026

Ingredients

Ingredients for 4 portions

1 tbsp vegan ghee or olive oil

1 onion, finely chopped

3 garlic cloves, finely chopped

400 ml water

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp ground black pepper

1⁄2 tsp ground allspice

1 tsp ground cardamom

2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 pinch of ground ginger (optional)

1 tbsp bouillon powder

200 g fonio

2 tbsp coconut milk (optional)

80 g nuts, of choice (e.g., cashews, macadamia or pecans)

50 g dried cranberries

Preparation

Bring water with bouillon and all spices to a boil.

Stir fonio into the boiling water. Turn off the heat, cover the pan and let the fonio sit briefly (approx. 1 minute) on the still-warm stove. Then remove from the heat and let sit covered for 10 - 15 minutes (like couscous).

Meanwhile heat oil in a pan and sauté the onions and garlic until translucent. Set aside.

In another pan toast the nuts, also set aside.

Fluff the fonio well with a fork and mix in the remaining ingredients. If desired, you can stir in 1-2 tbsp coconut milk, though the texture will be less fluffy afterwards.

Note: Fonio Pilau tastes wonderful as a side dish to roasted vegetables, Mchicha or a tasty vegetable stew, or vegetables with tomato sauce and legumes.