Savory Fonio Pilaf Recipe: A Delicious Twist on a Classic Dish

Ingredients

• ¾ cup of lukewarm vegetable broth, split into portions
• ¼ cup of golden raisins
• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
• Finely chopped shallot and garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons of black sesame seeds
• ¼ cup of grated carrots
• ⅓ cup of roughly chopped almonds
• 1 cup of fonio grains
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to your liking
• ⅛ cup of juicy pomegranate seeds

Step 1

In a bowl, mix vegetable stock with juicy raisins, then let them mingle while you prepare the rest.

Step 2

In a deep skillet warmed with oil over medium heat, dance shallots, garlic, aromatic black sesame seeds, crisp carrots, and crunchy almonds until they release a delightful fragrance and turn tender, which should take around 4 minutes.

Step 3

Next, introduce the fonio to the party, allowing it to soak up all those amazing flavors for about 2 minutes. Pour in the plumped raisins and stock, stirring until the fonio greedily drinks up all the liquid, typically in 5 minutes. As the fonio continues to soften, feel free to drizzle in some more stock as needed, as different brands and types of fonio may vary in their liquid absorption. Season with a pinch of salt and a sprinkle of pepper for that perfect balance.

Step 4

Once the fonio has absorbed all the goodness, remove the skillet from the heat. Gently fluff the grains with a fork, and for a final touch, adorn them with vibrant pomegranate seeds before presenting this flavorful dish.