This African corn in coconut milk is corn on the cob braised in a bright and aromatic coconut turmeric sauce. It's an easy Somali recipe.
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This simple Somali recipe for African corn in coconut milk and turmeric sauce, Galey iyo Qumbo, is ready in about 15-20 minutes. It is full of flavor and so comforting. And it just so happens that this recipe is also vegan and super healthy!
Corn is a staple food in many African countries, including Somalia. You can get it in the form of whole grilled cobs; you can get it as cornmeal and make fufu or African polenta – Soor. You can make Somali flatbreads with white cornmeal or you can braise the corn cobs in coconut milk.
While everybody knows and loves grilled corn, fufu is a specialty that not many people outside Africa dare try cooking at home.
But this corn in coconut milk sauce is so easy to make and requires so few regular ingredients it would be a shame not to try them. They are delicious!
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Recipe ingredients
Corn: I used pre-cooked corn that comes vacuum-packed. That is why the corn is ready in such a short time.
Otherwise, you will need onion, a can of coconut milk, tomato puree, turmeric, and salt.
How to make African corn in coconut milk?
- Mix all the ingredients, except the corn and the fresh herbs, in a pot.
- Add the corn and cook for 15-20 minutes or until the corn is cooked through.
- You can lift the corn off the pan and puree the sauce to make it smoother, but it is not really necessary.
Try more African recipes, such as Nigerian Spicy Jollof Rice or Yassa Chicken.
How to serve?
I served the African corn in coconut milk with millet. Millet is also very popular in some parts of Africa, and I thought it would be a good side dish. It was; we all loved the combination.
How to prepare millet?
- To prepare the millet, wash the required amount in a fine sieve.
- Cook the millet in double the amount of salted water, vegetable broth, or chicken stock, so for 1 cup of millet, you will need 2 cups of liquid.
- I prefer to use vegetable broth or chicken stock; they add more flavor.
- Bring to a boil, cover with a tight-fitting lid, reduce the heat to very low, and simmer very gently according to the packet's instructions, about 15 minutes on most packets I had until now.
- Remove from heat and let stand for another 10 minutes, the millet will absorb all the liquid and flavors now.
- Fluff with a fork and serve.
- Millet can be served immediately, or it can be turned into a delicious salad or grain bowl when completely cool.
- Other side dishes for the Somali corn could be regular polenta or African polenta, flatbread, or rice.
Do you have an open pack of millet? Make these Vegetarian Stuffed Zucchini or these Vegetarian Cabbage Rolls.
African Corn in Coconut Milk
Ingredients
- 1 onion
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup tomato puree
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- fine sea salt
- 4 small corn on the cob Note
- cilantro or parsley to garnish
- cooked millet to serve, optional
Instructions
- Combine ingredients: Chop the onion very finely. Place the onion, coconut milk, water, tomato puree, turmeric, and salt to taste in a pan.1 onion + 1 cup coconut milk/ 240 ml + 1 cup water/ 240 ml + ½ cup tomato puree/ 125 ml + 1 teaspoon turmeric + fine sea salt
- Cook corn: Cut the corn into two or three pieces, place the pieces in the sauce, and bring to a boil. Turn the heat to low and simmer, turning the corn around from time to time until the corn is cooked through, about 15-20 minutes.4 small corn on the cob
- Blend sauce: When the corn is cooked, you could take it out of the sauce and puree the sauce and the onions in it. That is optional, but it makes for a more velvety sauce.
- Sprinkle with chopped cilantro or parsley. Serve immediately with millet cooked in vegetable broth, for instance.cilantro + cooked millet
Kirstin Troyer says
YUM! I need to get braver with my SRC recipes...lol. Sometimes I worry we just won't like something so I stay pretty safe. I need to get out of my comfort zone.
Lauren @ Sew You Think You Can Cook says
Love that you provided Tara with more culinary inspiration. Your corn looks perfect!