African Culinary Heritage

Ivorian Sauce Graine with Foutou Banane

"This recipe is a traditional Ivorian dish made with cream..."

April 14, 2026 By African Recipes Kitchen
Ivorian Sauce Graine with Foutou Banane - Authentic African Cuisine

🍲 Sauce Grin with Oxel and Vegetables

This delightful Ivian dish, Sauce Grin, is a flavorful stew that pairs beautifully with fufu, banana, or rice. It's a comforting meal that's both easy to prepare and packed with deliciousness.

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🌍 What Is Sauce Grin?

Sauce Grin is a traditional Ivian soup made with a variety of vegetables, spices, and meat, typically oxel. This hearty dish is known for its rich flavors and is often enjoyed with starchy sides like fufu or rice.

đź§ľ Ingredients

**Base:**

- 1 kg oxel (cleaned and cut into pieces)

- 1 cup palm nut paste

- 2 medium tomatoes (chopped)

- 1 large onion (chopped)

- 2 habanero peppers (whole)

- 4 cloves garlic (minced)

- 1 cup okra (sliced)

- 2 blue crabs (cleaned)

- 1 piece fish (air-fried)

**Optional:**

- Salt (to taste)

- Seasoning cubes (to taste)

- Shrimp powder (to taste)

- Fish powder (to taste)

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. **Brown the Meat**

- Heat a pot over medium-high heat.

- Add the cleaned oxel and brown the meat.

2. **Prepare the Palm Nut Paste**

- In a bowl, combine palm nut paste with hot water.

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- Whisk until fully dissolved.

3. **Combine Ingredients**

- Slowly pour the palm nut mixture into the pot with the browned meat, ensuring to separate any sand from the juice.

4. **Add Vegetables**

- Add chopped tomatoes, onions, and habanero peppers to the pot (keep the garlic for later).

- Cover the pot and let it boil on medium heat.

5. **Grill the Spice**

- Grill the Aïté seeds (from the Jensen tree) to enhance the flavor of the soup.

6. **Blend the Vegetables**

- Once the vegetables are soft, remove them from the pot to blend.

- Add the minced garlic and blend until smooth.

7. **Combine Blended Mixture**

- Return the blended mixture to the pot.

- Add the sliced okra, blue crabs, and air-fried fish.

8. **Season the Soup**

- Add salt, seasoning cubes, shrimp powder, and fish powder to taste.

- Stir well to combine.

9. **Simmer**

- Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the soup boil until the oils start to appear on the surface.

🍽️ How to Serve

Serve the Sauce Grin hot, accompanied by fufu, banana, or rice. It makes for a hearty meal perfect for family gatherings or cozy dinners.

đź’ˇ Pro Tips

- For a richer flavor, allow the soup to simmer longer.

- Adjust the spice level by adding more or fewer habanero peppers.

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- Make sure to clean the blue crabs thoroughly before adding them to the soup.

🔥 Why You’ll Love This

Sauce Grin is not only easy to make but also a comforting dish that brings the taste of Ivory Coast to your table. With its robust flavors and the combination of meat and vegetables, it's a meal that will satisfy your cravings and warm your heart. Enjoy this delightful stew with your loved ones!