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–+ servings
Punya yam cooked in a rich tomato sauce.
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5 from 1 vote

Nigerian Yam Porridge (Asaro)

This simple and delicious Nigerian Yam Porridge (Asaro) includes red bell peppers, onion, punya yam, smoked prawns and more! Serve as dinner with gizzard, plantain or fish.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Nigerian
Servings: 5 people
Calories: 753kcal
Author: Jen Sim

Equipment

  • Medium-sized saucepan
  • Chefs knife

Ingredients

  • 1 white/punya yam
  • 1 onion diced
  • ⅓ cup oil
  • 3 teaspoon of ground smoked prawns
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 chicken stock cube optional
  • Sugar to taste optional
  • A splash of palm oil or vegetable oil

Tomato Mixture

  • 1 plum tomatoes
  • ½ onion
  • 1 scotch bonnet or teaspoon of dry pepper optional
  • 1 bell pepper
  • 2-3 tablespoon tomato paste purée

Instructions

  • Add scotch bonnet, bell pepper, onion and a can of plum tomatoes to a blender, blend until smooth and set aside.
  • Next, peel and chop the yam. Then, add it to a bowl of water and rinse the yam to remove dirt and particles.
  • Add the yam to a medium-sized pot and enough water to cover the yam in a pot. Add salt to taste and sugar (optional). Then, cover the pot and cook on low/medium heat for about 20 minutes.
  • Pour in the blended mixture, add tomato purée, salt to taste, chicken stock cube, oil, ground smoked prawns and diced onion. Cook on low heat for another 10 – 15 minutes.
  • Use a wooden spoon or a masher to mash some of the yam, stir and serve when done.

Notes

  • Oil: Depending on your taste, you must decide whether to use vegetable or palm oil. Palm oil is the traditional ingredient used hundreds of years before vegetable oil was introduced into the region. You also have a choice of flavorings such as ground smoked prawns or thyme.
  • Sugar: When cooked with vegetable oil, you may or may not add sugar. Note that sugar is usually not added when cooked with palm oil, but there are no rules; it’s up to you! 
  • Add-ins: You can cook yam porridge with ripe plantain instead of sugar. You can also add spinach 3 – 5 minutes before it is done.

Nutrition

Serving: 591g | Calories: 753kcal | Carbohydrates: 124.63g | Protein: 7.87g | Fat: 26.19g | Saturated Fat: 4.136g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 14.95g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5.813g | Trans Fat: 0.135g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 170mg | Potassium: 3550mg | Fiber: 18.3g | Sugar: 11.09g | Vitamin A: 1577IU | Vitamin C: 126.7mg | Calcium: 93mg | Iron: 2.96mg