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Zoom-koom
Ginger tamarind millet drink
Zoom-koom: Burkina Faso's cool millet 'flour water' with ginger and tamarind, made for iftar
Zoom-koom means flour water in Mooré, and in Ouagadougou it is the drink that breaks the fast at iftar during Ramadan and cools people down in the scorching weeks before the rains. Millet gives it body and a soft cereal sweetness, while fresh ginger brings heat and tamarind a sour edge; some sellers add lime or mint. It is cloudy, thick and refreshing, served very cold in small bags or glasses. Raw flour is not safe to drink as it is, so this version toasts the millet first, which also deepens its flavour. Chill for at least an hour before serving. Chef's tip: stir the jug every time you pour, as the millet settles quickly to the bottom.
- Total time
- 26 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
- 5 ½ oz ground milletfine millet flour
- 1 ⅜ oz tamarind pulpseedless block
- 6 ¼ cups water
- 2 ⅛ oz fresh gingerpeeled and chopped
- 4 oz sugaror to taste
- 1 lime (optional)juiced
- 1 handful fresh mint (optional)
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What you'll need
Spices & pantry
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Toast the 5 ½ oz ground millet in a dry frying pan over a medium-low heat for 5–6 minutes, stirring constantly, until it smells nutty and is hot right through. This heat-treats the raw flour, so do not skip it. Tip onto a plate to cool.
6 minStep 2: Soak the 1 ⅜ oz tamarind pulp in 250 ml hot 6 ¼ cups water for 15 minutes, squeeze it with your fingers and strain, pressing the pulp.
15 minStep 3: Blend the 2 ⅛ oz fresh ginger with 250 ml of the water and strain through a fine sieve.
3 minStep 4: Whisk the toasted millet with 500 ml cold water to a smooth, thin paste and leave for 10 minutes so the starch swells.
10 minStep 5: Whisk in the remaining water, the tamarind water, the ginger juice and the 4 oz sugar until the sugar dissolves. Add the 1 lime and 1 handful fresh mint if you like.
2 minStep 6: Chill for at least 1 hour and stir well before every pour. Keep in the fridge and drink within 2 days.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 190 kcal
- Protein
- 3 g
- Carbs
- 42 g
- Fat
- 2 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does zoom-koom take?
- About 26 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 6 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of fresh ginger?
- ¼ tsp ground ginger per tbsp fresh (add it with the spices).
- What can I use instead of sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
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