One of the dishes that embodies the country’s love for bold flavors and diverse ingredients is Peppered Meat. This mouthwatering dish, popularly referred to as “Suya Peppered Meat or peppered assorted meat,” is a delightful combination of assorted meats, spices, and fiery pepper sauce. Whether enjoyed at a Nigerian party, a street food stand, or prepared at home, this dish is a testament to Nigeria’s diverse and vibrant food culture. So, the next time you want to savor the flavors of Nigeria, try your hand at making Peppered Meat – it’s a taste you won’t forget.
To make the Peppered Meat, you will need:
– Assorted Meats: The star of the dish is a mix of meats such as beef, goat meat, cow tripe (shaki), liver, and kidney. The assortment of meats adds depth of flavor and texture to the dish.
– Pepper Sauce: The sauce typically consists of a blend of red bell peppers, scotch bonnet peppers (known as “atarodo” in Nigeria), onions, garlic, and ginger. This sauce provides the dish with its signature spicy kick.
– Seasonings: A mixture of spices and seasonings, including ground crayfish, bouillon cubes, thyme, curry powder, and salt, is used to marinate and flavor the meats.
– Vegetable Oil: This is used for frying the meat and sautéing the pepper sauce.
– Skewers or Toothpicks: These are essential for grilling the meat.
– Onions and Bell Peppers (optional): These can be added for garnish and additional flavor.
In Preparing the Meats;
– Clean and cut the assorted meats into bite-sized pieces.
– In a bowl, season the meat with a mixture of spices, including ground crayfish, bouillon cubes, thyme, curry powder, and salt. Ensure that the spices coat the meat evenly.
– Allow the seasoned meats to marinate for at least 30 minutes to absorb the flavors.
Grilling the Meats:
– Thread the marinated meat pieces onto skewers or toothpicks.
– Preheat a grill or barbecue to medium-high heat.
– Grill the meat skewers until they are cooked through and have a delicious smoky flavor.
This step can also be done on a stovetop grill pan or in an oven.
Preparing the Pepper Sauce:
– Blend red bell peppers, scotch bonnet peppers, onions, garlic, and ginger until you get a smooth puree.
– In a separate pan, heat vegetable oil over medium heat.
– Add the pepper puree and cook until the sauce thickens and the oil separates from it.
Combining Meat and Sauce:
– Once the meats are grilled to perfection, remove them from the skewers.
– Add the grilled meat to the pepper sauce and stir well to ensure each piece is coated with the spice.
– Simmer the meat and sauce together for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Finally, the Peppered Assorted Meat is ready.
It is often served hot and garnished with sliced onions and bell peppers for added freshness and color.
It can be enjoyed as an appetizer, snack, or main course, and is frequently served with chilled drinks.