Degue

What Is Degue?

Degue, also known as thiakry or chakery across parts of the Sahel and West Africa, is a cherished chilled pudding that unites lightly steamed grain pearls with a creamy, fragrant base. It is commonly enjoyed for celebrations and everyday comfort alike, prized for its spoonable texture and gentle sweetness. The dish’s roots trace through communities where mobile herding traditions and settled markets intersected, creating a dessert that balances satisfying chew with cooling richness. Today, it travels well from family kitchens to festive tables because it is simple to prepare, adaptable, and consistently crowd-pleasing.

Ingredients

• millet couscous (degue pearls)
• yogurt
• milk
• sweetened condensed milk (optional)
• sugar (to taste)
• vanilla extract
• nutmeg (ground)
• cinnamon (ground)
• raisins (optional)
• coconut (shredded, optional)
• orange blossom water (optional)
• salt
• water

Step-by-Step Preparation

1. Prepare the base pearls: Rinse the millet couscous in cool running water using a fine sieve, then set up a steamer so the pearls sit above gently bubbling liquid, not submerged. Steam until tender and bouncy, about 10 minutes, then spread on a tray to cool so the grains stay separate.
2. Mix the cream: In a large bowl, whisk yogurt with milk. Sweeten with sweetened condensed milk or add sugar to taste, then season with vanilla extract, a small pinch of salt, and a light dusting of nutmeg and cinnamon. For a subtle floral note, stir in a few drops of orange blossom water.
3. Combine: Fold the cooled millet couscous into the creamy mixture until evenly distributed. If you like extra texture and pops of sweetness, add a handful of raisins and some shredded coconut.
4. Chill and serve: Cover and refrigerate until nicely cold and lightly thickened, about 1 hour. Give it a gentle stir before serving to restore a silky spoonable consistency.

Cooking Process Notes

• Steaming setup: Keep the grains above the simmer, not in direct contact with liquid. A tight lid and steady gentle heat create moist steam that softens the pearls without turning them mushy.
• Clump control: After steaming, spread the grains while warm and fluff with a fork. This brief cooling step helps prevent sticking and preserves the characteristic light chew.
• Cream balance: For a looser style, whisk in a splash more milk. For a thicker dessert, add a little extra millet couscous or reduce the dairy portion slightly. If you prefer a richer finish, round it out with a touch of sweetened condensed milk.
• Sweetness and spice: Adjust to your taste with more sugar and a pinch of extra cinnamon or nutmeg. A tiny additional drop of orange blossom water can brighten the aroma, but use sparingly.

How to Enjoy

Serve chilled in small bowls, topped with a light sprinkle of cinnamon, extra plump raisins, or toasted coconut for contrast. It pairs beautifully with fresh seasonal fruit on the side and is especially refreshing after spicy mains. For a buffet, portion into cups so the creamy base and pearls stay beautifully layered until guests are ready to dig in.

Make-Ahead and Storage

Keep covered and chilled until serving. The grains naturally absorb some moisture over time; stir in a splash of milk to loosen just before you plate. If using mix-ins, fold in the raisins and coconut close to serving so they keep their best bite.

Variations

• Spiced profile: Lean into warmth with extra cinnamon and nutmeg.
• Floral lift: A few more drops of orange blossom water create a bright, perfumed finish.
• Richer finish: Replace part of the milk with additional sweetened condensed milk for a more decadent spoonful.