Description
Asaro, or Nigerian Yam Porridge, is a hearty, flavorful West African comfort dish made with soft yams, a rich tomato-pepper sauce, palm oil, and savory seasonings. This easy one-pot meal is perfect for lunch or dinner, offering authentic Nigerian flavors with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Puna yam or African yam
Red bell pepper
Scotch bonnet (Ata Rodo) or habanero pepper
Tomatoes
Onions
Hake fish (optional)
Palm oil
Beef seasoning powder or stock cubes
Ground crayfish
Salt
Instructions
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Peel and cut yam into chunks. Blend tomatoes, red bell pepper, scotch bonnet, and half the onions into a smooth sauce.
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Heat palm oil in a pot. Add chopped onions and sauté until translucent.
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Add the blended tomato mixture. Cook until reduced and fragrant.
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Season with beef seasoning powder, salt, and ground crayfish.
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Add yam chunks and enough water to cover. Cook until yam is tender.
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Add hake fish if using. Stir gently, mashing some yam pieces to thicken the porridge.
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Simmer until thickened. Serve hot, optionally garnished with extra crayfish or herbs.
Notes
For a vegetarian version, omit the fish and add spinach or mushrooms.
Adjust spice by varying the number of scotch bonnet peppers.
To make the porridge creamier, mash more yam or add extra palm oil.
Palm oil gives authentic flavor, but vegetable oil can be substituted if needed.
Asaro tastes even better the next day!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Comfort Food
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Nigerian, West African
