When everything seems a little out of balance, when it seems as if the world is crashing down on you somehow or as if the clouds appear to be hanging a bit lower and I need a little boost in confidence? Allow me to introduce you to my favorite comfort food, it is called yam porridge, or "asaro" as it is called in our local dialect.
Dried crayfish and smoked dried fish give this food a remarkable depth of taste. Yummy, just writing about it , already makes me want to have some now, yeah! Cos it has been a shitty week for me.With these two ingredients makes it more than simply a typical meal ,it's like a warm hug for your soul.While growing up, this meal was always more than just food.
The aroma would be in every room in our house, drawing everyone to the kitchen and prompting them to inquire, "Is it ready yet?" The allure of yam porridge is that, despite its simplicity, it has the amazing power to completely change your mood. I will go ahead to share my recipe that makes even the worst days better.
You will Need:
- One huge tuber of white yam
- Dried crayfish
- Smoked Dried fish also called Kpanla over here hheehe.
- Palm oil
- Scotch bonnet peppers also called Ata Rodo (for a flavor awakening)
- Onions with tomatoes fresh
- Cubes of stock (Knorr or Chicken flavour)
- Fresh greens, such as spinach or ugu leaves or Scent leaves
- Season with salt.
The leaves can be optional depending on how your mood is. I usually do not always add leaves to mine because I want it to be that Asaro. There's always a difference when you add leaves, still tastes great but would take that asaro feeling away.
This is how the magic takes place:
To begin, peel your yam. The unveiling of the clean white part behind the rough brown skin is almost soothing. Since we won't be mashing or pressing it manually we need to, cut it into medium-sized pieces that will cook evenly without being too small. Rinse them thoroughly also to remove any dirt and sand particles.
Now the flavor. Add the scotch bonnet peppers, tomatoes, and onions and blend them. Listen to your heart on this one; some people prefer it mild, while others don't mind. Get that palm oil heated to the perfect temperature. It will change from that deep crimson to a lighter shade when it's ready. It is at this point when the change starts.
In the oil, sauté your blended mixture until the raw smell goes away and your kitchen begins to smell lovely. After that, your cleaned fish is added, allowing it to absorb all of those lovely tastes.
This is my favorite part: the crayfish addition. The more the better! The unique Native flavor of the meal comes from this. You'll want to close your eyes every time you taste that smokey, fishy flavor. Put in your yam cubes, cover with just enough water, and cook everything together.
Patience then turns into a virtue. Cook on medium heat, stirring gently every now and again. The yam should be soft but not mushy; it should have a sweet spot where it melts in your mouth while maintaining its shape. Naturally thickening the sauce, the yam releases its starch as it cooks. You know that excellent things are happening at this point.
Make sure to check the seasoning when the yam is almost done. Carefully add your salt and stock cubes; keep in mind that you can always add more, but you can't take it out, hahaha
Then a handful of fresh greens, let to wilt somewhat, should be added at the end. The final layer of goodness is added by the pop of green, which also makes the meal look better.Like i said its optional , you may or may not want it in the food like me, but it also tastes great
Serve it boiling hot, in all its splendor. The sauce is thick and creamy, nicely coating each piece, and I prefer mine with a little bite to the yam. The initial spoonful? Pure joy. The yam's sweetness, the crayfish's savory depth, the peppers' subtle spice, and the distinct richness of the palm oil all work in unison to create a symphony of flavors in your mouth.Like its heavenly.
This isnt just food to me, its a meal or food that lifts my soul whenever i am down , even though I end up always scratching my hands because of the yam, i don't know why that happens, bottom line is this meal is DIVINE for me. So Ladies there you have it, who's gonna try this meal? hehehe.
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