Summer Fonio Salad

This recipe is a high protein, balanced and vegan-friendly grain salad that is the perfect side to any dish for any summer get-together.

What you will need

This dish is incredibly customizable and a great way to use up any leftover vegetables at home.

Salad Base

• Fonio – Fonio is an indigenous West African ancient grain that is a staple in my pantry. This gluten-free grain cooks very quickly and more than triples in size when fully cooked. If you want to learn more about Fonio, what it is, its nutrition and where to purchase it.
• Beans – I used red cowpeas for my salad but you can use any beans of choice.
• Tomatoes – I used about a cup of cherry tomatoes grown in my mum’s garden. I also chopped up a small green tomatillo.
• Herbs – I used a blend of dried herbs but fresh herbs are a great addition. A few sprinkles of fresh parsley work well. I used Flaev Spice Co Garden Blend.

Dressing

• Vegan Mayo – I used Hellman’s Vegan Mayonnaise, which is my mayo of choice because it tastes similar to vegan mayo.
• Red Wine Vinegar – For my recipe, I used homemade pineapple vinegar but a good alternative is red wine vinegar for a similar fruity flavour
• Salt and Pepper to Taste

How to make this Dish

1. Boil 1 cup of water with a touch of salt. Once the water comes to a boil, add the dried fonio. Lower the heat and cook at low for 5 minutes with the pot fully covered
2. After 5 minutes, turn off the heat and leave the pot still covered to completely cool down. You can stick it in the fridge as you prep the other ingredients to cool down completely.
3. Finely chop the vegetables (tomato, tomatillo, corn, jalapeno)
4. In a bowl, combine the ingredients for the salad base and mix well.
5. In a separate bowl, combine the ingredients for the dressing then pour into the salad base
6. Mix everything well then serve.

What To Serve this Dish with

This dish works well with any protein of choice. It is a perfect gluten-free alternative for anyone looking to try a quick recipe that is perfect for summer and delicious. Here are a few recipes on the blog that will be perfect for this dish.

• Tofu Yassa: Senegalese Inspired Tofu dish packed with caramelized onions and mustard for a sweet and tangy taste
• Mishkaki Tofu Skewers: Eastern Africa-inspired spicy skewer reminiscence of the same flavours as mishkaki sold on the streets of Dar es Salaam
• Suya Meatballs: Suya is roadside barbecue meat sold across West Africa, using a spicy peanut-based dry rub.