Suya (Yaji) Recipe

Many people enjoy Suya, but only a few barely bother about the accompanying spice, Yaji. Suya spice, locally known as ‘Yaji’ is what defines the overall taste and flavour of the snack. The recipe for the spice has always been a closely guarded secret by the ‘Mallams’ who specialise in making it, but here we are now leaking this top secret….lol. The spice mix was originally made by northern Nigerian herdsmen which have ultimately found its way across West-Africa and beyond. Each spice used in the mixture is typically also used all across Nigeria and West-African in local dishes. They are jammed with aromatic flavours that make a perfect seasoning rub for beef, pork, fish, and chicken. Talk about an all-purpose taste of West-Africa.

A simple pack of roasted peanuts and additional Spices and Seasoning are all it takes to replicate that awesome all-in-one seasoning in your kitchen. Read on to find out just how.

Ingredients
1 cup of roasted Peanuts
1 teaspoon of Tiger Chilli pepper
¼ teaspoon of blended Vegeta Onion (dehydrated onion)
1 teaspoon Tiger Ginger Powder
1 teaspoon Tiger Garlic Powder
1 Larsor Chicken Seasoning (10g)
A pinch each of ground cloves
Salt to taste

Direction
The first appropriate step in making Suya spice is to crush the peanuts. The result should look like a fine crumble. Be careful not to overdo this so as not to end up with a wet spice rather than a dry one. The tools you will need for this step are pestle and mortar. You may use a handheld chopper or food processor, as you so wish.

Gently heat a dry pan over medium heat and pour in the combined mixture of crushed roasted Peanut, ground Cloves and blended Onion with Tiger Ginger Powder, Tiger Garlic Powder, Tiger Chilli Powder, Larsor Chicken Seasoning and salt.

Using a wooden spoon, toss the spice mixture around the pan until you can smell a vibrant aroma.

Turn the heat off, set the pan aside and allow it cool.

Store the mixture in a jar. You can use it immediately or store in a cool & dry area. Interestingly, this mix can be used as an all-purpose Seasoning such as in Stew, Sauces, Rice and Meat dishes.

We can’t wait for you to make this weekend’s Sunday stew or proper Naija Jollof Rice with Yaji. You can come back and thank us later….wink. We will be right here waiting for your feedback on this delectable and aromatic spice.

Do you have another twist to making this Seasoning? Let us know in the comment below.

Thank you for stopping by.