Perfectly Seasoned, The Recipes

Suya is a classic Hausa dish of grilled kebabs seasoned with groundnuts (aka peanuts), spices, and bouillon cubes. Popular as a street food snack or an appetizer, you could pair even it with jollof rice and plantains or sliced tomatoes and cucumbers for a full meal.

With Perfectly Seasoned’s yaji spice mix, it’s easy to make this authentic West African delicacy. Fire up the grill or roast the skewers under the broiler for an easy dinner.

Recipe serves 4.

Ingredients

Beef Suya:
1 lb flank steak, cut into 1/4″ strips about 2″ wide
1/4 cup Perfectly Seasoned Suya (Yaji) Seasoning
1 cube (1 tsp) Maggi Seasoning or chicken bouillon
1/2 to 1 tsp table salt
1 tbsp vegetable oil

Jollof Rice:
1 large tomato, cored and quartered
1 large red bell pepper, seeded and roughly chopped
2 red jalapeños, seeded (and white ribs removed for less heat)
4 cloves garlic
1/2″ piece of ginger, peeled
2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 red onion, diced
1/4 cup tomato paste
2 tbsp Perfectly Seasoned Turkish Seasoning
2 cups basmati rice

Directions

In a medium sized bowl, combine the Suya Seasoning with the Maggi or chicken bouillon, along with 1/2 tsp salt. Break up the cube into a powder if necessary. Add the beef and 1 tbsp vegetable oil; toss to coat and rest for 1 hour.

If using wooden skewers, soak 6-8 skewers in water for 30 minutes before using. Thread the beef onto the skewers. Preheat a grill to 400° and place the skewers directly on the grill. Cook for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. Set aside until ready to serve.

If using a broiler, move an oven rack to the highest position, then preheat the broiler to 500°. Brush a grill pan with oil and place the skewers on top. Broil for 15-20 minutes until beef is cooked through and beginning to char. Set aside until ready to serve.

To make jollof rice, begin with the tomato sauce. In a blender or food processor, combine the tomato, red bell pepper, jalapeños, garlic, ginger, and broth. Blend until smooth. Set aside.

In a large saucepan over medium heat, add 1/4 cup vegetable oil and the red onion; saute until soft, 3-5 minutes. Clear a space in the middle of the pan, add the tomato paste, and cook for 2-3 minutes until the tomato begins to darken. Add the Turkish Seasoning and stir everything together; cook 1-2 minutes longer.

Stir in the rice making sure each grain is coated with tomato and oil, then add the tomato sauce and stir through. Increase heat to high and bring the pan to a simmer. Cover with a tight fitting lid and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 20 minutes undisturbed. At the end of cooking time, remove the pan from the heat and quickly fluff the rice with a fork. Place the lid back on and set aside for 10 minutes to allow the rice to finish steaming.

Serve the suya and rice while warm. Garnish with sliced tomatoes, onions, and cucumbers.

Ready to make this recipe?

Buy the seasonings you need to make Beef Suya and Jollof Rice!