🇧🇯 Beninese Cuisine

Ablo

Steamed Rice Cakes

Prep Time 20 min plus fermentation
Servings 8
Difficulty Medium
Calories 185 kcal

Soft, spongy steamed cakes made from a fermented batter of rice flour and cornmeal. Slightly tangy and pillowy, ablo is a versatile accompaniment to stews and grilled meats.

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. 1 Mix rice flour, cornmeal, sugar, yeast, and salt with warm water to form a smooth batter.
  2. 2 Cover and let ferment in a warm place for 4-6 hours or overnight.
  3. 3 Grease small molds or ramekins and fill two-thirds full with batter.
  4. 4 Steam in a covered steamer for 20 minutes until firm and spongy.
  5. 5 Unmold and serve warm with sauce or grilled meat.

Did You Know?

Ablo vendors time their fermentation so the cakes are ready for the morning rush, when workers buy them fresh as a quick breakfast with pepper sauce.