6,500 naira

Yam Porridge/ Pottage also known as Asaro is a popular Stewed Mashed Yam delicacy. Originally made by the Yoruba People of Western Nigeria, this Yam Porridge is made with White sweet Yam. This particular method of preparing Yam Porridge has a slight twist because unlike popular Yam Porridge recipes, I add overly ripe plantain to the mix which gives the yam a touch of sweetness without being too sweet. I also add chopped ugu leaves to make it a bit colorful.

Ready in 45 minutes

Serves 5 people

670 calories 

Ingredients

• 1 Tuber Of medium sized white Yam (1500 naira)
• Palm Oil (300 naira)
• Tomatoes and pepper( 500 naira)
• Onions (200 naira)
• Smoked fish (1000 naira)
• Cow skin (500 naira) 
• Dried prawns (500 naira) 
• Ground Crayfish (100 naira)
• Locust Beans (Iru) (100 naira)
• Sachet of garlic and ginger powder (100 naira)
• 2 Seasoning Cubes (100 naira)
• Chopped Ugu leaves (200 naira)
• Dried shawa fish (1000 naira)
• Overly ripe plantains (500 naira)
• Salt to taste

Preparation

• Blend the Peppers, Tomatoes, and 1 Onion till smooth and set aside. Also debone the smoked and dry fish. Chop the cow skin into small chunks and remove the head from the dried prawns.
• Place a big pot on medium heat, and add the palm oil. Allow it to heat up then add 1/2 sliced Onions and sauté till fragrant.
• When it’s fragrant, add the blended tomato and Pepper mix, garlic and ginger powder, ground crayfish and locust beans. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.

• When the tomatoes and pepper mix reduces considerably and you can’t taste the sourness of the Tomatoes any more, add the smoked fish, dried prawns, 2 seasoning cubes, cow skin and dried fish, combine and leave to cook for a further 2-3 minutes.
• Next, slice and peel your Yam, cut into small chunks, rinse, and add to the stew with enough water to cover the yam but not too much so that you don’t end up with a watery porridge. Also add salt to taste.

• Combine everything thoroughly, and turn the heat down to low, then chop up your overly ripe plantains and add to the mix before you cover the pot and leave to cook for 10 minutes or until the Yam softens. Use 1 or 2 ripe plantains depending on how sweet you want this dish to be.

• When the Yam is softened, mash the soft plantains as well as some of the Yam using a Potato masher or wooden Spoon. Mix everything to distribute the sweetness of the plantains evenly.

• Turn the heat off and spread the chopped ugu leaves all over the porridge and allow it to simmer for 2 minute before also mixing it in and your Yam Porridge/ Pottage is ready.

Tips

This yam porridge recipe will take your tastebuds on a journey they’ve never experienced before. Once you try this recipe, you’ll never make yam porridge differently again.