Akoho sy Voanio

category : Soups or Stews Recipes | Country : Madagascar

The island nation of Madagascar is famous for its amazing animals and beautiful flowers. It should also be well-known for this delicious chicken dish, Akoho sy Voanio (Chicken in Coconut Milk). To serve this dish Malagasy style, it must be served with Rice.

Cuisine of Madagascar traditionally consists of a base of rice (vary) with some form of accompaniment (laoka), although in the southwest rice may be supplemented or replaced by maize that has been dried, ground and reconstituted. Cuisines of France, China, India, and to a lesser extent East African and Arabian cultures have all made their influence felt in Madagascar.
           Ingredients:
  • one chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • juice of one lemon (optional)
  • one teaspoon grated lemon rind (optional)
  • salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper or red pepper (to taste)
  • enough oil for frying (coconut oil if possible)
  • two onions, chopped
  • two cloves of garlic, minced
  • two or three tomatoes, chopped
  • two teaspoons ground ginger (or one teaspoon fresh ginger, minced)
  • one cup coconut milk (see the note about coconut milk on the Wali wa Nazi recipe page)
          Cooking Instructions:
  • Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper to taste. Slice the tomatoes into small cubes. Set aside.
  • Shred the coconut into a clean cloth. Fold the cloth around the shredded coconut.
  • Wet the cloth using a glass of warm water. Squeeze the cloth and the shredded coconut to extract coconut milk. Discard the shredded coconut.
  • If obtaining/shredding a fresh coconut is not possible, you may substitute a can of unsweetened coconut milk instead.
  • Add a small amount of oil to a frypan. Saute chicken until done over medium heat.
  • Add onions to the pan. Continue stirring over medium heat until the onions are brown.
  • Add ginger, tomatoes, and garlic to the pan. Saute together briefly over medium heat.
  • Add coconut milk. Mix well. Reduce heat.
  • Simmer over low heat for thirty minutes.
  • Serve with rice and salad. Enjoy!