Yam porridge or Asaro is another tasty Nigerian yam dish cooked in a well-seasoned pepper mix until soft and fluffy with some yam chunks. The dish is very quick and easy to make. It makes a nice dinner or lunch and it is also a party favorite.

This yam porridge recipe tastes just like the one in our family. The only difference is that it uses basil which is not typical in my family’s recipe.

However, you can decide to add any herb or any leafy green of your choice like Spinach, Kale, or Ugwu.

How is Yam Porridge Made?

Yam Porridge is made from Yam which is boiled until it is tender and it’s cooked in a blend of Peppers, Tomatoes, onions, palm oil, and seasoning. While the dish is more common in the Yoruba-speaking region of Nigeria, it is still a meal enjoyed by the majority alike each with its regional variation.

It is nicknamed “Asaro elepo rede rede” meaning yam porridge boldly colored with fresh palm oil and garnished to goodness.

If you like plantains, you may wish to try my yam Porridge with plantains.

What is Yam Porridge Made of?

• Red Bell Pepper, tomato, and habanero pepper: the blend of these three will make a nice pepper mix for the porridge.

• Fresh Palm Oil: There is no yam porridge without oil. Fresh palm oil gives it a color and makes it fluffy.

• Onion: Onions bring the flavor out of the porridge. You need onions for the pepper mix and the porridge itself.

• Salt and Chicken bouillon powder: This will bring out the taste of the porridge. Make sure that you add in moderate quantity.

• Fish and crayfish: add this to spice up the meal. You can add mackerel, crab meat, stockfish, or dried fish.

• Vegetables/Herbs: blend the meal with herbs like basil, parsley, scent leaves, and any other leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, or fluted pumpkin leaf (Ugwu).

How to Make Yam Porridge

• African yam: Yam is of different species, but the best one for this recipe is African yam.

• Peel and cut and rinse the yam. Ensure that you rinse the yam more than once until the water is clear and no longer cloudy. The yam should be in medium-sized chunks about 2 inches thick.

• Blend your pepper mix. Blend the bell pepper, habanero, tomato, and half onion.

• Cook your yam and the pepper mix together. Put the first yam in a pot, and add the pepper mix, salt, bouillon powder, and water. Cover and allow it to cook for 10 minutes on medium to high heat.

• Stir in your Palm oil, sliced onions, and crayfish. Cover again and allow it to cook an extra 10 minutes.

• Mash your yams. You can use a potato masher or a wooden spoon. I love to mash some yams and keep some chunks. It gives more texture!

• Add your fish. You can smoke fish, dried, boiled, canned, or stockfish. You can also add smoked turkey or any other meat you prefer.
• Simmer for an additional 3 to 5 minutes.

• Stir in the herbs or any other leafy vegetable of your choice.

• Serve and enjoy while still hot!

Yam porridge is a delicious meal that is popular in Nigeria. It is prepared with yam, red oil, and other necessary ingredients. The recipe above is your guide in the journey of yam porridge making.