recipe: how to use suya pepper

 

Suya Pepper Beef with Peppers and Okra

Recipe by Moyo Abiona

Photos by Gabby Luu

Warning: this spice is hot! It is not for the faint of heart, or palate, so consume at your own risk.

Suya Pepper is common among the Hausa people of Nigeria, though the hot spice has been integrated throughout most of the country. Although this recipe uses suya to garnish beef and veggies such as peppers and okra, feel free to spice it up with whatever sort of meat or protein your heart and stomach desire. What can I say…we like it hot!

Prep time: 30 minutes   

Cook Time: 35 minutes    

Serves: 6

Ingredients:

Suya Pepper Spice (makes one cup)

  • ¾ cup roasted peanuts

  • 6 teaspoons dry pepper or cayenne pepper or chili pepper flakes (ground)

  • 6 teaspoons paprika

  • 3 teaspoons ground ginger

  • 3 teaspoons garlic powder

  • 3 teaspoons onion powder

  • 6 teaspoons of salt

  • 6 cubes of Maggi (or other bouillon cube)

Additional Ingredients:

  • 1 pound thin-cut beef or flank steak

  • Water

  • Salt

  • Pepper

  • 1 small onion

  • 3 bell peppers

  • 1 pound okra

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Preparation:

To Make Suya Pepper:

  • Crush peanuts in a Ziploc bag using the bottom of a frying pan, or a rolling pin

  • After well-crushed (as fine as possible), place peanuts in paper towels to soak out the oil

  • When peanuts are mostly dry, place them in a bowl; add the rest of the ingredients and mix well

  • Strain the mixture to remove any clumps; the final mix should be like a powder

To Make Beef:

  • Add thin-cut beef to a pot with enough water to almost cover it

  • When boiling, add salt and pepper to taste

  • After beef is cooked through, drain excess water

  • Add desired amount of Suya Pepper to the beef and mix until evenly coated

  • Broil beef in the oven for 15-20 minutes, until slightly dry and crisp

To Make Peppers and Okra

  • Slice onion, peppers, and okra

  • Pour oil into a frying pan or skillet; add onion, peppers, and okra

  • Add salt and pepper to taste, then add desired amount of Suya Pepper

  • Plate vegetables next to beef and sprinkle with more Suya Pepper (if you’re brave!)

  • Enjoy!

 
RecipesMelanie Wang