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Authentic Senegalese Ceebu Yapp Recipe (Traditional Fish and Rice)

Quick Answer: Ceebu Yapp (Thieboudienne) is Senegal's national dish featuring fish, rice, and vegetables in a flavorful one-pot meal. The name means "rice with fish" in Wolof, and it's known for its rich tomato-based broth and broken rice texture. Ready in 60 minutes.

Ceebu Yapp, also known as Thieboudienne, is more than just a meal in Senegal - it's a cultural institution. This authentic one-pot dish brings together fresh fish, seasonal vegetables, and uniquely prepared broken rice for a truly West African culinary experience.

Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 40 mins | Total: 60 mins | Servings: 6 | Cuisine: Senegalese

Ceebu Yapp Ingredients

• 2 cups broken jasmine rice
• 1 whole white fish (sea bass or grouper), cleaned and scaled
• 3 tomatoes, chopped
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 1 eggplant, cubed
• 1 cabbage, quartered
• 2 onions, sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 maggi cubes
• 1 tablespoon dried fish (optional, for authentic flavor)
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 6 cups water

How to Make Traditional Ceebu Yapp

1. Prepare the fish: Season whole fish with salt, pepper, and half the minced garlic. Let marinate for 15 minutes
2. Brown the fish: Heat oil in large pot and brown fish on both sides until golden. Remove and set aside
3. Sauté base: In same pot, sauté onions and remaining garlic until fragrant and golden
4. Build flavor: Add tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, then add chopped tomatoes and cook until softened
5. Create broth: Add maggi cubes, thyme, bay leaves, and 6 cups water. Bring to a rolling boil
6. Cook vegetables: Add carrots, cabbage, and eggplant. Simmer for 15 minutes until tender but firm
7. Remove vegetables: Take out vegetables carefully and set aside. Keep broth simmering
8. Cook rice: Add broken rice to the flavorful broth and cook for 20 minutes until tender
9. Combine: Return fish and vegetables to pot, heat through for 5 minutes to blend flavors
10. Serve: Plate rice topped with fish and vegetables, with extra broth served on the side

Pro Tips for Authentic Ceebu Yapp

• Use broken rice - it absorbs flavors better and creates the traditional texture
• Don't skip browning the fish - this creates the foundational flavor
• Cook vegetables separately to maintain their texture and color
• Serve with extra broth (the "soup") on the side for authentic experience
• Traditional sides include hot pepper sauce or dakar sauce

The Cultural Significance of Ceebu Yapp

Ceebu Yapp isn't just Senegal's national dish - it's a symbol of Senegalese hospitality and community. Traditionally served from a large communal platter, this dish represents teranga (the Wolof concept of hospitality) and is central to family gatherings, celebrations, and everyday life in Senegal.

Serving Traditions

Authentic Ceebu Yapp is served:

• On a large communal platter for sharing
• With the fish placed prominently in the center
• Vegetables arranged beautifully around the rice
• Extra broth served separately for adding to taste
• Often eaten with the right hand, following tradition