As the Eid-al-Adha celebrations approach, many Muslims around the world are preparing to honour the occasion with traditional dishes that bring families and friends together. In Nigeria, and particularly the Yoruba tribe in South Western Nigeria, a tribe well known for serving guests with assorted, mouth watering delicacies, one popular delicacy that graces many tables during Ileya (as Eid-al-Adha is locally known amongst them) is Asun, a spicy roasted goat meat that is both flavourful and tender.
In this article, Dpath To Jannah explore how to prepare Asun for a large number of people, making it a perfect centerpiece for your Ileya gathering.
What is Asun?
Asun is a traditional Nigerian dish originating from the Yoruba people. It is made by roasting goat meat in a blend of spices, peppers, and herbs, resulting in a mouthwatering aroma and taste that is hard to resist. Asun is typically served with slice of yam, sweet potato, plantain, or rice, making it a satisfying and filling meal for any occasion. Often, cold Zobo drink complete the saliva dripping menu.
Preparing Asun for a Large Number of People
While Asun is typically prepared in small quantities for family gatherings, it can be easily scaled up to feed a larger crowd. Here’s a recipe to prepare Asun for 20-25 people:
Ingredients:
– 5 kg goat meat (cut into small pieces)
– 10 Scotch bonnet peppers (seed removed and chopped)
– 5 large onions (chopped)
– 5 cloves of garlic (minced)
– 2 tablespoons of grated ginger
– 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
– 1 teaspoon of paprika/Ata gigun
– Salt and black pepper (to taste)
– 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
– 2 large yams or plantains (peeled and sliced)
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
2. In a large bowl, mix together the chopped onions, garlic, ginger, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
3. Add the goat meat pieces to the bowl and mix well until the meat is evenly coated with the spice blend.
4. Heat the vegetable oil in a large oven-safe pot over medium heat. Add the meat mixture and sauté until browned on all sides.
5. Add the chopped Scotch bonnet peppers and stir well.
6. Transfer the pot to the preheated oven and roast the meat for 2-3 hours or until tender and caramelized.
7. While the meat is roasting, prepare the yams or plantains by boiling them in salted water until tender. Drain and set aside.
8. Once the meat is done, serve it hot with the boiled or fried yams or plantains.
Tips for Large-Scale Preparation:
– Use a large industrial-sized oven or multiple smaller ovens to accommodate the quantity of meat.
– Prepare the spice blend in advance to save time.
– Use a large pot or multiple pots to cook the meat, ensuring that each piece is coated with the spice blend.
– Consider enlisting help from loved ones that come to visit speed up the preparation process.
Charcoal and Wiremesh method
We know that it is Ileya that turns many Muslims to emergency chefs, therefore it is important to describe this method as most of us may not have a grill oven.
1. Marinate the goat meat pieces in a mixture of your preferred spices, herbs, and peppers (such as Scotch bonnet, garlic, ginger, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper) for 45mins to 2 hours.
2. Preheat a charcoal grill or a charcoal-lined pit with wire mesh.
3. Remove the meat from the marinade, letting any excess liquid drip off.
4. Place the meat pieces on the wire mesh or grill grate.
5. Cook over medium heat, turning occasionally, until the meat is browned and caramelized on all sides (this may last up to 2 hours).
6. Serve hot with yams or plantains, as described earlier.
Marinating the meat is an essential step, as it allows the flavours to penetrate deeper into the meat, making it more tender, spicy and flavourful. You can adjust the marinade ingredients to suit your taste preferences.
Using charcoal and wire mesh will give you a similar smoky flavour to the oven-roasted version, but with a more traditional, outdoor cooking experience. Enjoy!
Conclusion
Asun is a delicious and satisfying dish that is sure to impress your guests this Ileya. With this recipe, you can easily prepare Asun for a large number of people, making it a perfect addition to your Eid-al-Adha celebrations. So, will you try Asun for Ileya? We hope you do, and we wish you and your loved ones a joyous and blessed Eid-al-Adha!
Eidukum Mubaarak!! Taqaballa llahu minna wa minkum
