Quirky Foodster
  1. Back

Malian Dibi

The Quirky Foodster Team

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (0)

40 min
Prep
12 min
Cook
3
Servings

Ingredients

  • Mutton or lamb, cut into cubes — 600 g (1 lb 5 oz)
  • Oil — 2 tbsp
  • Ground chilli — 1 tsp
  • Ground cumin — 1 tsp
  • Paprika — 1 tsp
  • Onion, thinly sliced, to serve — 1
  • Salt — to taste

Method

  1. Toss the mutton cubes with oil, chilli, cumin, paprika and salt, and let marinate for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Thread the meat onto skewers.
  3. Grill over hot charcoal (or a hot grill pan), turning occasionally, for 10–12 minutes until charred on the outside and cooked through.
  4. Serve hot, scattered with sliced raw onion and an extra pinch of ground chilli and spice mix on the side.

Introduction: Smoky, spice-rubbed grilled mutton skewers cooked over open charcoal, a favourite evening street food across Malian cities.

Cultural Background: Dibi stalls fill the evening streets of Bamako and other towns with the smell of grilling meat, the mutton seasoned simply and cooked fast over hot coals, often served with sliced onion and a dusting of ground chilli and spice mix.

Tips: Don’t overcrowd the skewers — leave a little space between pieces for even charring. Let the meat marinate for as long as possible, even up to a few hours, for deeper flavour.

Variations: Use beef in place of mutton for a different, equally popular version. Serve with a side of grilled onions for extra sweetness.

Storage: Refrigerate cooked dibi in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Reheating: Reheat in a hot dry pan for 2–3 minutes per side, or briefly under a hot grill, to restore some char.

Nutrition: Per serving (approx.): 320 kcal, 26 g protein, 22 g fat, 3 g carbohydrate.

FAQs:

Q: What spice mix is traditionally served alongside dibi?

A: A dry blend of ground chilli, pepper and

Q: Can dibi be cooked indoors?

A: Yes, a hot grill pan or broiler can approximate the charcoal-grilled