Egusi Sauce with a British Twist

Ingredients

In this British adaptation of Egusi Sauce, we incorporate elements of British cuisine by adding a touch of cream to the sauce. This enhances the richness and creaminess of the dish, providing a velvety texture that is characteristic of British sauces. Additionally, we use a combination of traditional West African vegetables and British vegetables to create a unique flavor profile that marries the two culinary traditions. We alse have the original recipe for Egusi Sauce, so you can check it out.

• 1 cup (200g) ground melon seeds 1 cup (200g) ground melon seeds
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 carrot, diced 1 carrot, diced
• 1 cup (200g) diced tomatoes 1 cup (200g) diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon curry powder 1 teaspoon curry powder
• 1 teaspoon thyme 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup (240ml) vegetable broth 1 cup (240ml) vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream
• Fresh parsley, for garnish Fresh parsley, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 18g, 8g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 18g, 6g
• Protein: 6g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until golden brown.
2. 2.
   Add the diced red and green bell peppers, along with the diced carrot. Cook for 5 minutes, until the vegetables are slightly softened.
3. 3.
   Stir in the ground melon seeds and cook for another 3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
4. 4.
   Add the diced tomatoes, curry powder, thyme, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine all the ingredients.
5. 5.
   Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let it cook for 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to develop.
6. 6.
   Stir in the heavy cream and cook for an additional 5 minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly.
7. 7.
   Remove from heat and garnish with fresh parsley.
8. 8.
   Serve the Egusi Sauce with a British Twist hot with rice or bread.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground melon seeds — Toast the melon seeds in a dry pan over medium heat for a few minutes before grinding them. This will enhance their nutty flavor.
• Heavy cream — For a lighter version, you can substitute the heavy cream with coconut cream or cashew cream.

Tips & Tricks

• If you prefer a spicier sauce, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes.
• Feel free to add other vegetables such as spinach or okra for added nutritional value and flavor.
• Serve the Egusi Sauce with a British Twist alongside a side of steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated and enjoyed the next day, as the flavors tend to develop and intensify over time.
• This sauce can also be used as a delicious topping for baked potatoes or grilled chicken.

Serving advice

Serve the Egusi Sauce with a British Twist hot, garnished with fresh parsley, alongside a generous portion of fluffy white rice or warm crusty bread.

Presentation advice

For an elegant presentation, spoon the Egusi Sauce onto a plate and create a well in the center. Fill the well with a scoop of steamed rice or place a slice of toasted bread on the side. Garnish with a sprig of fresh parsley for a pop of color.