Classic Togolese Comfort Meal of Strength & Simplicity
Akume with Ademe sauce is one of the most beloved traditional dishes in Togo. Smooth cornmeal swallow paired with a rich, slightly bitter green sauce made from jute leaves (ademe), this meal is deeply nourishing and rooted in family tradition. It is simple food, made with love, and meant to be shared.
🍽️ Servings
Serves 4 people
📝 Ingredients
For the Akume
- Cornmeal (fine white or yellow maize flour) – 500 g
- Water – 1.2 litres
- Salt – ½ teaspoon (optional)
For the Ademe Sauce
- Fresh ademe leaves (jute leaves), finely chopped – 400 g
- Palm oil – 4 tablespoons
- Smoked fish – 2 medium pieces
- Crabs (optional) – 2 small
- Dried shrimp or crayfish, ground – 2 tablespoons
- Onion, chopped – 1 medium
- Fresh chilli pepper – 1 (adjust to taste)
- Salt – to taste
- Stock cube – 1 (optional)
- Water – 500 ml
👩🏽🍳 Instructions
Akume
- Bring 800 ml of the water to a boil in a large pot.
- Mix cornmeal with the remaining 400 ml of water until smooth.
- Slowly pour into the boiling water, stirring continuously.
- Reduce the heat and stir firmly for 8–10 minutes, until the mixture is smooth and stretchy.
- Shape into portions and keep warm.
Ademe Sauce
- Wash and finely chop the ademe leaves.
- In a pot, add water, smoked fish, crabs, onion, chilli, and ground shrimp.
- Cook on medium heat for 10–15 minutes until flavours combine.
- Add palm oil and allow to simmer for 5 minutes.
- Stir in the ademe leaves and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring gently.
- Season with salt (and a stock cube if using).
- The sauce should be thick, green, and aromatic.
🌸 Mani’s Tips
- Do not overcook ademe leaves; they should stay vibrant green.
- Palm oil gives authenticity; use sparingly, but don’t skip it.
- Akume should be smooth and elastic, never dry or crumbly.
- This dish tastes even better when eaten slowly and together.
🤍 Mani’s Blessing
May this meal strengthen your body and calm your spirit.
May your home be filled with shared laughter, warm plates,
and the quiet joy that comes from eating together. 🌿✨