🍞 Ablo – Steamed Sweet Rice Bread from Togo
✨ Introduction

Ablo is a traditional Togolese rice bread that is prepared by steaming. It has a slightly sweet flavor and a fluffy texture. Ablo pairs perfectly with spicy sauces, grilled chicken, or fish. In Togo, it’s a popular street food and a must-have at celebrations.

📝 Ingredients (makes about 8–10 pieces)

• 250 g rice (long-grain or parboiled)

• 50 g fine cornmeal

• 1 tsp dry yeast

• 2 tbsp sugar

• 1 pinch of salt

• 300 ml lukewarm water

👨🏽🍳 Preparation
1. Prepare the rice
Soak the rice in water for 6–8 hours (or overnight).
Drain and blend with 100 ml of water into a smooth paste.

2. Make the dough
Mix the rice paste with cornmeal, yeast, sugar, salt, and the remaining water.
The dough should be soft but not runny.

3. Let the dough rise
Cover and let rest in a warm place for 1–2 hours, until it has visibly doubled in size.

4. Steam the Ablo
Lightly grease small molds (e.g., silicone muffin molds or enamel cups).
Fill with dough (only 2/3 full, as it will rise while steaming).
Steam in a steamer or pot with a steaming insert for about 20–25 minutes, until the Ablo are cooked through and fluffy.

🍽 Serving suggestion
Serve Ablo warm – traditionally with tomato sauce, grilled chicken or fish, or with peanut sauce (sauce d’arachide). They also go wonderfully with spicy African stews.

💡 Tip
For extra sweetness, you can add coconut milk and a bit of vanilla to the dough. Ablo are gluten-free and make an excellent finger food.