Beef skewer - Nigerian Suya

Suya is the most popular Nigerian street meal, and it is never produced at home. Rarely, to be precise.

It resembles the Asian saté. Thin slices of steak (sirloin, flank, or topside) are coated in a dry peanut rub with a balanced blend of spices – ginger, garlic, paprika, chili, and salt – to enhance the flavors. The cut of meat matters but only a little because the marinade tenderizes the meat so well.

After threading meat onto sticks and cooking them over hot coals until ready, they are laid aside to await the assault of customers at the end of a long day's work.

Immediately the orders are received, the suya sticks are reheated and served in newspapers, meat on sticks or without, with a sprinkling of the marinade mix, red onion slices, fresh tomato wedges, and – for the daring ones – slices of fresh hot chili pepper.

Prep Time: 30 Minutes (several hours of marinating)

Cook Time: 40 Minutes

Serves: 4

INGREDIENTS

· 250g sirloin

· 1/2 cup peeled roasted unsalted peanuts

· a quarter to half cup of vegetable oil

· 1 teaspoon cayenne/chili pepper

· a quarter teaspoon of salt

· 1 teaspoon ginger powder

· 1 teaspoon powdered onion

· 1 teaspoon paprika (sweet)

· 1 to 2 tbsp. lemon or lime juice

· season with salt to taste

· Serve with thinly sliced cabbage, red onions, and tomatoes

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS:

1. To make peanut paste, crush the peanuts in a food processor or blender.

2. Place the crushed peanuts into a bowl and add oil, a bit of salt, all the spices, and lemon juice and stir until it becomes thick cream.

3. In a large mixing bowl, place the beef slices. Spread the peanut sauce on top. Mix thoroughly with your hands to ensure that all of the beef pieces are coated with the sauce. Allow to marinate for a few hours or overnight.

4. When ready to cook, thread the beef strips onto soaked wooden skewers in an accordion pattern to keep the meat from bunching up, add any of your favorite veggies to the skewer if you like.

5. You can use a grill pan or BBQ to prepare them.

6. Allow to cook for a few minutes before flipping and cooking the other side. Depending on how thick your meat slices are, the sticks should be ready in 10 minutes or less.

7. Serve with thinly sliced cabbage, red onions, and tomatoes, warmed slowly.