Are you living outside Nigeria and you have missed the local suya taste?
Would you love to make this sweet delicacy from the comfort of your own kitchen?
I am here to teach you not only how to make some juicy Suya but also how to make the Suya Spice, also know as the Yaji spice.
WHAT IS SUYA?
Suya is a popular street food of Nigeria, Ghana, and Sierra Leone. It is made from spiced meat grilled over charcoal fire. It is a juicy, savory and spicy meat that can be eaten as a snack, an appetizer, or a main dish.
THE SUYA SPICE
This Yaji spice is one of the West African bold and spicy seasoning blends usually used for grilled meats and there are many ways of making this spice.
Traditionally, the spice is made with kuli-kuli, a snack made from peanuts, but you can also make it with peanut butter. That's a faster, delicious, and highly customizable method.
This spice is a blend full of flavor and heat and you can use it even in your Jollof Rice and pepper soup. I sometimes use it and it takes my dishes to the next level, each time.
While the primary ingredient is peanut, you also need other herbs and spices such as garlic powder, ginger powder, cloves, and much more to make it rich.
Today, I will be teaching you how to make your Suya Spice using the Kulikuli or unsalted peanuts today . Below are the ingredients you'd need:
INGREDIENTS FOR MAKING THE SUYA SPICE:
- Kulikuli/unsalted roasted peanuts
- 2 tablespoons Cayenne pepper
- Salt
- Cloves powder
- African nutmeg
HOW TO MAKE YOUR SUYA SPICE
Add all the ingredients in a dry mill and blend till all blended together.
Pour in an airtight container or spice jar and it's ready to use.
HOW TO USE THE SUYA SPICE
It's best used for Suya (charcoal-grilled meat) be it beef or chicken but this spice blend is versatile and is also used on:
Grilled Fish
Lamb
Pepper soup
Jollof Rice
Fried eggs
Vegetable stews
HOW TO STORE YOUR YAJI SPICE
Pour in airtight container or spice jar, label with dates, and store in a cool dry place away from direct sunlight. This will last for up to 1 year but do consider the expiry dates of the ingredients used.
So, now that the Yaji is ready, how do you make the Suya itself in your kitchen?
You will need:
INGREDIENTS FOR MAKING SUYA AT HOME
1kg Beef cuts
Half cup of salted peanuts
2 teaspoons of onion powder
2 teaspoons of ginger powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 medium onion, cut into wedges
1 large tomato, cut into wedges
Skewers
Sliced cabbage
Mayo
HOW TO MAKE SUYA AT HOME
Place peanuts in a food processor and grind until finely chopped. Add paprika, onion powder, ginger, pepper flakes and garlic powder; Grind until combined.
Place beef in a large bowl or shallow dish. Drizzle with oil; sprinkle with salt and toss to combine.
Add your peanut mixture and mix evenly.
Cover and refrigerate, for 2 hours.
Also, soak your wooden skewers as the beef marinates. Just pour cold water on the skewers. That's all.
Afterwards, drain the beef and discard the marinade.
Begin to work in your beef cuts into your soaked wooden skewers.
Arrange on your charcoal grill or in your oven, over medium-high heat for about 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally.
Serve with onion, tomato and cabbage slices.
Don't forget to sprinkle some of your Yaji sauce on it.
To take it to the next level, prepare a Mayo dip for this delicacy. I assure you, your evening would be so made!
Would you try this any time soon? Have you tried it before? Do you enjoy it? Let me read your thoughts in the comments below. Thank you.
