Suya Spice
Suya spice, also known as yaji, is a dry peanut-based spice blend used to marinate beef prior to grilling or baking. Suya, also known as grilled skewers with suya spice, is one of the most common and delicious street foods in West Africa.
Servings: 20
Calories: 48kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup roasted peanuts
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon powder
- 2 tablespoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- Blend the roasted peanuts in a food processor or blender until crumbly. Do not let it turn into a paste.1 cup roasted peanuts
- Add the other ingredients to the food processor and blend, but don't over-blend. You want the consistency to be crumbly and powdery.1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon ground ginger, 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon powder, 2 tablespoon cayenne pepper, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 2 tablespoon smoked paprika
- Store in a dry container or make some chicken suya.
Notes
- Roasting Peanuts: If you're starting with raw peanuts, roast them yourself for a fresh, nutty flavor. Be sure they are completely cool before grinding.
- Grind in Batches: When grinding peanuts and spices, do it in small batches to ensure an even consistency and prevent the grinder from overheating.
- Mix Thoroughly: After grinding all ingredients, mix them well to ensure an even distribution of flavors.
- Taste and Adjust: Before storing, taste the spice blend and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can add more salt, chili powder, or other spices to suit your preference.
- Adjust Heat: Vary the amount of cayenne or chili powder to suit your heat tolerance.
- Experiment with Nuts: While peanuts are traditional, you can try other nuts like cashews or almonds for a different flavor profile.
- Try Different Peppers: If you have access to different types of dried peppers, experiment with them for unique flavors and heat levels.
- Smoky Suya Spice: Add extra smoked paprika and chipotle powder to make this spice blend a little smokier.
- Mild Suya Spice: For a less spicy option, use sweet or mild paprika and a smaller amount of cayenne pepper. This will give you a milder taste without losing the characteristic suya flavor.
- Herbal Suya Spice: Incorporate dried thyme, basil, or oregano, adding a fresh herbal note to the traditional suya spice mix. This variation offers a unique twist to the classic flavor profile.
- Nut-Free Suya Spice: For those with peanut allergies, you can use roasted chickpea flour or sunflower seed flour as a substitute. You still get all the great flavors of suya without the peanuts.
- Sweet and Spicy Suya Spice: Add brown sugar or honey powder to the suya spice to create a sweet and spicy kick.
- Aromatic Suya Spice: Use just a little bit of ground cloves, nutmeg, coriander, and cinnamon to the suya spice flavor.
Nutrition
Serving: 1tablespoon | Calories: 48kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 0.03mg | Sodium: 92mg | Potassium: 85mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 345IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 0.4mg