Suya

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Suya, also known as Tsire, is a traditional Hausa (Nigerian) smoke-grilled spiced meat on skewer. Suya is generally made with thin-sliced spiced beef, lamb, goat, ram, or chicken arranged on wooden skewers. Organ meats such as kidney, liver and tripe as well as other types of meats and seafood (shrimp) are also sometimes used. [1] Suya is most popular as evening street food or snack, restaurant appetizer, and as accompaniment with drinks at bars and night spots.

Contents

Suya
SuyavarietiesTX.JPG
Place of origin Nigeria
Region or state Northern Nigeria
Invented1852 (???)
Main ingredients Meat, chicken, shrimp
Variations(Kilishi, Balangu)

Suya meat is thinly sliced and then marinated in a traditional Hausa spice mix called 'Yaji' which consists of dry hot chili & cayenne peppers, ginger, dried onion, ground peanut cake ('Kuli-Kuli'), salt and other spices. The skewered meats are doused with vegetable oil before they are cooked on the grill.

Like with "curry," there is no standard recipe for composing the complex Yaji spice mix mixture of spices and additives which make up the Suya marinade and dry toppings served alongside it. Ingredients may vary according to personal and regional preferences. [1]

The cooked Suya is usually sliced off the skewers and cut into bite-size bits. It is often served with an extra topping or side helping of 'Yaji' pepper mix as well as sliced onions and tomatoes, which may be requested grilled or raw as preferred. In traditional Hausa culture, a side serving of Hausa Masa (soaked rice/grain/corn cakes) is common. Suya can also be eaten with rice, Kosai, Garri or Ogi.

Chicken suya with jollof rice and plantains Suyawithriceplaintains.JPG
Chicken suya with jollof rice and plantains

Originating from Nigeria but popular across West Africa and it's diaspora, Suya is a large part of Hausa culture and food. While suya is the more widely recognized name in many areas of Nigeria, the Hausa community still predominantly uses the original name, 'tsire'. There are many variation of grilled meats in traditional Hausa cooking (such as Balangu, Kilishi, etc.), but the most popular is Suya. The dried version of Suya is called Kilishi. [1]

Halal meat preparation methods are normally used, especially in the northern parts of Nigeria where it originates as is customary with traditional Hausa foods, [1] where the suspicion of nonconformity to Muslim dietary prohibitions in Suya preparation has been known to cause riots. [2]

Suya seller in Abuja. Suya Seller.jpg
Suya seller in Abuja.

Suya is traditionally and predominantly prepared by Hausa men who are called 'mai tsire' or 'mai suya' ('mai' being the Hausa word for 'seller of'). [3]

Although Suya is a traditional Hausa Nigerian dish, it has permeated the Nigerian society, being affordable for all and available everywhere. It has been called a unifying factor in Nigeria. [4] Suya has become a Nigerian national dish, with different regions claiming the superiority of their recipe and methods of preparation, but similar grilled meat recipes are common in many West African countries. [1]

Ingredients

1. Meat– Beef (sirloin or tenderloin), chicken, or lamb, cut into thin strips.

2. Ground Peanuts – Finely ground roasted peanuts, often sifted to remove any coarse pieces.

3. Suya Spice Blend (Yaji), Paprika or Cayenne Pepper (for heat, depending on preference), Ginger Powder, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Salt, Bouillon Powder (optional, for extra flavor)

4. Vegetable Oil (For coating the meat and keeping it moist).

5. Skewers (If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning).

Equipment

Optional ingredients

Sliced onions and tomatoes (For serving alongside the suya).

Cucumber slices (For a refreshing side).

How to prepare Tsire (suya)

1. Mix the ground peanuts with the spices (yaji) to make a suya spice rub.

2. Coat the meat strips in vegetable oil, then rub them generously with the spice mix.

3. Thread the spiced meat onto skewers.

4. Grill the skewers over medium-high heat until the meat is cooked through, turning occasionally for even cooking.

5. Serve with sliced onions, tomatoes, and cucumbers. [5] [6]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Nigerian roadside barbecue shacks thrive in the midst of Islamist insurgency". Raw Story - Celebrating 18 Years of Independent Journalism. 2012-05-22. Retrieved 2022-08-30.
  2. ↑ "Suya Wars | Alan Jacobs". First Things. Retrieved 2022-08-30.
  3. ↑ EKE, IRABOR ,OKOYE; et al. "THE MICROBIAL STATUS OF COMMERCIAL 'SUYA' MEAT PRODUCTS IN EKPOMA, EDO, NIGERIA" (PDF). International Journal of Community Research. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 September 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ↑ GAMBRELL, Jon (24 November 2012). "Suya, the thin-sliced spiced meat, unites Nigeria". Ann Arbor News. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  5. ↑ Kemi (2020-09-02). "Nigerian Suya Recipe | Beef Suya". Recipe Vibes. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
  6. ↑ ImmaculateBites (2022-03-18). "Suya Recipe (Plus Video)". Immaculate Bites. Retrieved 2024-12-09.
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