How To Prepare Asun (Smoked Meat)

Asun (smoked meat) is a popular Yoruba delicacy, mostly seen in the western part of Nigeria. It is usually served in Nigeria parties.

If you haven’t tried this before, I think you should give it a try. Asun means smoked in Yoruba language. It is a spicy small sized appetizer made from grilled/smoked or roasted goat meant.

The Smokey flavour makes it irresistible. It can be mixed with lots of pepper and classified as among finger foods. It is simply grilled/barbecued goat meat with lots of pepper. I usually prepare my Asun the way I prepare my Nigerian Peppered Gizzards.

Ingredients for Asun

The following ingredients are needed for Asun. You can add or reduce the ingredients based on the number of people being served:

a. 1.2kg (2.6 lbs) goat meat (cut with the skin)

b. Two habanero peppers (or to your taste)

c. One medium size onion

d. Three big stock cubes

e. One teaspoon of thyme

f. Salt (to taste)

g. One cooking spoon of vegetable oil

h. Black pepper (optional)

How To garnish Asun

The following are used to garnish Asun:

a. One medium sized onion

b. One small green bell of pepper and

c. One small red bell of pepper

Direction On How To Prepare Asun:

a. The first step is cutting the goat meat. Start by cutting the goat meat in big chunks and add the goat skin whiling cutting .its necessary to add goat skin as it gives you the real deal Asun

b. Place the chunks of goat meat in a bowl and wash thoroughly then transfer to another clean bowl

c. In the bowl containing the meat, add the thyme, pepper, also crush and add the stock cubes. You can also add any other species and ingredients of your choice to marinate the meat

d. Thoroughly mix the spices and goat meat by rubbing with your hands

e. Cover the bowl with a thin film and place in the fridge. Leave to marinate for about one hour

f. I love marinating my meat but its highly optional, you can simply skip the marinating process and just go straight to cooking the meat if you feel it not necessary

g. Pound the habanero (scotch bonnet) peppers and set aside.

h. Cut one onions into big chunks and set aside. Why is cut is big size is because one can pick it out after boiling the meat

i. We are done with preparing the ingredients, now lets go ahead with making the Asun

j. After about the number of hours you decide to marinate the goat meat, remove it from fridge and put in a pot. I will recommend you use a pressure cooker because it will save you the time, gas and electricity as goat meat is quite tough but it’s okay if you don’t have the pressure cooker, you can opt for any available one around

k. Pour water to half level of the goat meat, add the big chunks of onion, place on meduim heat and start cooking. Do not use lots of water so that by the time is meat is done, the water must have dried up

l. When the cooked meat is done, remove the big chunks of onions and add your salt to taste

m. Now increase the heat to high and stir continuously until the remaining liquid in the pot is well absorbed. This will help retain its flavour rather than pouring the goat meat stock away. you don’t want to lose any flavour

n. Lay the goat meat flat on the oven rack

o. Grill/broil the goat meat in the oven at 180⁰C or 350^oF until the meat is brown all over. Ensure you the meat from time to time. And it shouldn’t be completely dried. With my oven , it takes a maximum of 16mins to get that result

p. While the meat is being grilled, wash, cut and thread the green bell pepper, red bell pepper and onion on toothpicks

q. Pour the vegetable oil in a dry clean pot and heat then add the pepper and the thick stock from cooking the goat meat i.e. if available, then fry for a bit

r. Add the grilled goat meat; stir vigorously till the pepper is well incorporated with the goat meat. The vegetable ensures that the pepper is well distributed evenly on the meat and it also gives the Asun a glowing texture

Serve with the threaded vegetables.

That’s how Asun is prepared. Here is how it is commonly served, it’s served based on the scenario like if you are entertaining guests or having a family dinner, Asun can be serve with Fried Plantain or Jollof Rice. If it’s a party, place them in a flat tray

I hope you find this tips very helpful, revisit for more cooking recipes. Feel free to drop your questions at the comment box

📢 We are hiring writers!