Cook With What You Have

Discover recipes using ingredients already in your kitchen. Results are ranked by how well they match your pantry.

How It Works

  1. Add Your Pantry - Enter ingredients you have at home.
  2. Search or Discover - Find recipes by keyword or click "What Can I Make?"
  3. Start Cooking - View your match percentage and visit the original recipe.

We don't host full recipes-we link directly to original sources.

Asaro

Asaro
Oyebolaesther · Own work · CC BY-SA 4.0 · View on Wikimedia Commons

Asaro, also known as yam porridge is a traditional Nigerian dish made by cooking yam in a richly seasoned sauce of tomatoes, peppers, onions, and oil. It is particularly popular among the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria but is enjoyed throughout the country. The dish is known for its soft texture and rich flavor. During cooking, part of the yam breaks down into the sauce, creating a thick and hearty porridge. Asaro may be prepared with fish, meat, vegetables, or seafood, and it is served hot.

Time
1 hour
Servings
3–4

Ingredients

  • 3 medium tomatoes
  • 2 red bell peppers
  • 2 scotch bonnet chile peppers
  • 1 medium onion
  • ½ cup palm oil or vegetable oil
  • 2–3 seasoning cubes
  • Salt to taste
  • 200 g protein, such as fresh fish, meat, or smoked fish (optional)
  • 4 cups water or stock
  • 1 medium (about 1 kg) yam, peeled and cubed
  • Leafy vegetables such as spinach or ugu (optional)
Your pantry · Interactive controls load with JavaScript

Method

  1. Blend the tomatoes, peppers, and onion into a smooth purée.
  2. Heat the oil in a pot and add the purée. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Stir in seasoning cubes, salt, and any protein being used.
  4. Stir in the water and bring to a boil.
  5. Gently stir in the cubed yam. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the yam becomes soft and some of it has broken down to thicken the dish.
  6. Add leafy vegetables if desired and cook for an additional 3–5 minutes.
  7. Adjust seasoning and remove from heat.

Notes

  • Do not over-stir during cooking, as this may cause all the yam pieces to break apart. The dish should be thick and creamy but still contain visible yam chunks.
  • Fresh stock can be used to enhance flavor.
  • The amount of chile pepper can be adjusted according to personal taste.

Equipment

  • Cooking pot
  • Knife
  • Chopping board
  • Blender or food processor
  • Mixing bowls
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Wooden spoon
  • Colander or sieve
  • Stove or other heat source

Categories