Peppered and Assorted Meats(Pepper Sauce Your New year)

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Happy New year my people! It was a quiet holiday for us. And as we come out of the holiday season, I have been cleaning, doing lundry and making sure everyone in my household has what they need. As a woman and a mother, I know that even while trying to make sure that my ajebutters fulfill their dreams and ambitions; I must not lose myself. And while I was trying to have a chill New year’s day with my ajebutters, this recipe came to mind. Traditionally, I do not cook on New year’s day, but I honestly had not made anything the night before. All we had was a pack of cookies and a tin of hot cocoa, so I decided to make the kids happy by frying some plantain and yam. I know yes, plantains and yam but honestly it was epic for the kids.  Ordinarily they would not eat yam except made certain ways with a whole lot of flavor, but they enjoyed the one I made. Maybe it was because I had soaked the yam in salty cold water before frying. As for the plantain a.k.a dodo, it is always a favorite of ours. We can eat dodo for Africa!

Peppered meats are a huge staple and not only in some Nigerian homes, but in Nigerian parties. There is no party without peppered meats as a finger food or appetizer(yes we dey chop meat as appetizer 🙂 ). It goes great with puffies i.e. puffpuff and plantain puffs. But for me, I had mine as a meal with fried yam and plantains.

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Nigerians love peppered meats. If you ever lived in Nigeria, you should be able to remember the hawkers who sold buns, puffpuff and peppered beef. Anytime I make peppered meats I remember the hawkers. Bless 🙂

Creating this recipe was not so difficult. As the name implies, it entails the use of mostly and if possible only peppers. For this recipe, you could use mostly bell peppers for a little sweetness and the habanero(ata-rodo) peppers for the spicy effect. You could add a little tomatoes for dousing the spiciness of the sauce, but it is totally optional. I went the easy way by using already made Atadindin  i.e. Nigerian pepper sauce(atadindin is quite handy you know)

The sauce can be used to eat yam, or plantain and even akara i.e. fried bean fritters. If you are Nigerian you know what I mean (nostalgia). Even as I write, I have worked up an appetite for some easy peppered meats drenched in atadindin; with yam and plantain as a side, I am also thinking of puffies for my tired bones.

IMG-20160102-WA0022 (3)Now leave whatever it is that distracts you an go ‘peppersauce’ your meats

peppersauce

5.0 from 3 reviews
Peppered and Assorted Meats(New year)
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Author:
Serves: 12
Ingredients
  • 2lbs assorted meats(chicken, gizzards, chicken, goat meat, beef)
  • 1½ cup pepper sauce(ata din din)
  • 1-3 small plum tomatoes(optional)
  • 1 habanero (atarodo)(optional)
  • 1 onion
  • 4 stalks sliced green onion
  • 3 small cloves of garlic
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • 1tsp curry
  • 1 tbsp. dry pepper or chili flakes
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 3 cooking spoons of meat stock or water
  • ¼ cup oil
  • oil for frying(optional)
  • bouillon
  • salt to taste
Instructions
  1. Roughly blend the tomatoes,atarodo and half of the onion. Pour the mix into a pot to boil out the water until you have a thick paste. Alternatively, pour the mix through a fine mesh sieve to drain out the water. Cut the meat into bite sizes and place into a pot. Season with salt, dry pepper, one garlic clove, bouillon and drop in the bay leaves. Do not add water. Let it cook in it's own juices until it comes to a boil and has almost dried out. Pour in some water to the level of the meats and check for seasonings. Once the meat is tender, drain the meat from the meat stock and deep fry or grill in a 350 degree oven until golden brown.
  2. heat ¼ cup of coconut oil or any other oil. Pour in the thyme and curry; then chop in the onion and sauté until translucent. Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant. Pour in the blended tomato mix and fry in the oil until the oil has floated to the top or until a little dark. Pour in the pepper sauce. Add in the meats along with the meat stock and stir to combine. Check for seasonings and let the meat sock up the juices from the sauce.(drain off any excess oil) Stir in half of the green onion and serve the meat with the other half as a topping 🙂
Notes
Alternatively, you could roughly blend the tomatoes, 4 large bell peppers, a small onion and a few habaneros. Pour through a fine mesh sieve and use for the sauce

 

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