1
Make a slurry
Mix half the millet flour with 1 cup cold water to form a smooth paste.
Cold-water slurry prevents lumps.
Mali | Side
Toh
Malian toh, a firm millet or sorghum paste stirred smooth and shaped into a mound for sauces.
Country
Mali
Region
West Africa
Time
30 min
Serves
6
Level
easy
Recipe overview
What to know before you cook
Toh looks simple, but the spoon work matters. Build it with a slurry, then stir until glossy and firm.
What the dish tastes like
Malian toh, a firm millet or sorghum paste stirred smooth and shaped into a mound for sauces.
When to cook it
Best for Daily staple, with a easy cooking level and about 30 minutes total.
What to serve alongside it
Tigadegena, fakoye, okra sauce, leaf sauce, or meat stew
Follow the collection
Toh appears in 2 AfroKitchen collections. Start with Quick & Easy if you want more dishes in the same mood. Quick & Easy
Regional lane
Mali national table. A verified Mali dish in the AfroKitchen archive.
Chef watch-outs
- Rushing the base before the raw edge has cooked out.
- Adding all seasoning early and forgetting to adjust at the end.
- Cooking on heat that is too high once the dish should be steaming or simmering.
How you know it is ready
- The aroma should smell rounded rather than raw or sharp.
- Oil, sauce, broth, or steam should look settled and deliberate.
- The final texture should match the dish style before you plate it.
Recipe photos
See the dish before you cook
Each recipe supports one main image and up to four extra prep, serving, or step photos when they are available.
Chef board
Build the table around Toh
Tigadegena, fakoye, okra sauce, leaf sauce, or meat stew
Best route from here
Mali national table
Collections to keep cooking
How to cook it
Step-by-step method
Keep the rhythm calm, watch the texture, and adjust seasoning at the end.
5 steps
30 min total
easy
2
Boil the water
Bring remaining 3 cups water to a rolling boil with salt.
3
Add the slurry
Pour slurry into boiling water, stirring constantly. Cook 5 minutes on medium heat.
Cook first stage
05:00
4
Add remaining flour
Gradually add remaining flour, stirring vigorously. Mixture will become very thick.
Use a strong wooden spoon.
Stir toh
10:00
5
Shape and serve
When toh pulls from pot sides, wet a bowl, scoop in, smooth top, turn out as a mound.
Serve immediately — toh hardens as it cools.
Millet, sorghum, maize, or blended flours may be used depending on region and availability. Texture ranges from soft to very firm by household preference.