Asun served with salad
Asun is simply smoked/grilled/roasted peppered goat meat.
It is classified as a ”Nigerian Small chop” and served at parties as an appetizer, alongside other finger foods.
Just as the name implies, Asun is ”spicy”, as in ”pepperish” and deliciously irresistible (even before the first bite); seriously, you’ll want your fork/hands/teeth on them just at first sight.
Okay, if you are not in for anything spicy, you can also modify the recipe to suit your palate, so no more excuses not to eat asun.
Below I provided three (3) popular Asun recipes, written for your convenience.
If you have a outdoor smoker, enjoy the 1st method; if you don’t own a smoker but have an oven, put the grill to work by using the 2nd method and for the students and bachelors in the house without a grill or smoker, the third Asun recipe will be a better option☺..Enjoy.
–updated with new pics on july 2016–
Ingredients
– 1kg Goat meat, some parts with the skin on (It’s better to make use of different body parts of the goat, if you can get it at the market)
– 3 Scotch bonnet Pepper/atarodo (this , you can adjust to your taste)
– 2 Medium sized Onion
– 2 Bouillon cubes/stock cube
– Salt to taste
– A Little water
– A little vegetable oil
If you can’t stand the taste of goat meat, use lamb meat as a substitute
Preparation
Before you start with your choice of Asun meat:
** Grind or chop the peppers coarsely(don’t blend it to paste) and set aside
** Chop the onions and set aside
** Preheat the smoker/grill until hot.
TIP: If you are using a charcoal grill, allow all the coals, to turn red, and stop bringing out flames. Then the grill is ready.
If using an oven grill, preheat for about 10 minutes on temperature 180ºC /350ºF.
Now let’s start cooking..
(Method 1)(using a smoker&/outdoor grill)
1. Wash the meat and take out the large bones (if any). Pat dry with a paper towel.
TIP: I like to use uncut meat, because it is easier to roll over on the smoker/grill and saves time, bite sizes gives me wahala on the grill at this stage.
Place the meat in a bowl, and marinade with one crushed stock cube, a little oil and salt to taste(you can add more spices to your marinade,the oil is only added to help the spices stick to the meat).
You can also cover the meat and leave in a cool place/fridge to soak in the marinade for 1 hour, but that is optional.
2. Place the meat on the hot grill/smoker and grill one side, then turn over and do the same for the other side, until the meat is properly cooked on both sides (but not dried out).
3. Next, take out the smoked meat from the grill and cut into bite sizes (that’s if you are using uncut goat meat)
4. Place a pan on heat, add 2 tablespoonful vegetable oil; add the peppers and onions and pour in the meat pieces.
Stir fry for about 3 to 5 minutes.
Then, add a little water to help form a thin paste for the mixture and finally, add the second stock cube and salt to taste. Stirring constantly for another 3 to 5 minutes.
And the Asun is ready. Serve and enjoy.
For the second Asun recipe(using oven grill)
You’ll need:
– 1kg Goat meat with some skin
– 2 medium sized Onion
– 2 Bouillon cubes/stock cube
– 1 tablespoonful thyme/oregano
– 1 tablespoonful curry
– Salt to taste
– A little vegetable oil
Preparation:
1. Wash and season the meat with curry, thyme, stock cube, one onion and salt to taste. Steam in its juice for 5 minutes, then add a little water and cook until the meat is tender.
Reserve the meat stock for later use.
Tip: pls be aware that the meat of older goat are tough and take longer to cook.
2. Heat up your oven grill to temperature 180ºC /350ºF.
Place the cooked meat, on the grill, brush some oil on the meat and grill until brown on both sides.
You’ll have to turn over the meat from time to time , and avoid over-drying it.
3. Cut the grilled asun meat into bite sizes and set aside.
In a pot or sauce pan, heat up about 3 tablespoonful of oil, add the chopped peppers and onions; stir-fry a bit and add the grilled meat.
Add a little of the meat stock/water and mix well until evenly distributed. The whole stir-frying process should take about 3 to 5 minutes.
And your Asun is ready.
++click to play video recipe below++
For the Third Asun method(no grill, no smoker method)
You’ll need:
Same ingredients as in method 2
Preparation
1. Wash and cut the meat into bite sizes. Place in a pot, add one chopped onion, thyme, curry, one stock cube and salt to taste. Also steam the meat in its juice for a few minutes, then add a little water and cook until meat is tender and done(but not too soft).
Keep the meat stock, for later use.
2. In a sauce pan, heat up about 3 tablespoonful of oil, add the cooked meat and stir fry for about 3 minutes to brown the meat a bit.
Then, add the diced peppers and onions. Stir-fry and add a little of the meat stock or water until you get your desired consistency, you can also add the other stock cube (if needed). Stir fry for 5 minutes and your delicious Asun is ready.
Serve and enjoy.
I like all 3 methods and use them interchangeably at my convenience. So feel free to do the same. You’ll love it ☺.
Have you tried our Asun recipe? What do you think and which method did you use?.. we love to hear from you ☺
Stay connected on Instagram, Facebook and Youtube.
This is interesting thanks. I will try this.
Author
great, you’ll lovew it
Thank you so much, i used 3rd mehod bcos its easier for me.
Author
Thanks for the Feedback Temmy
Thank you so much. I used the 3rd method and I absolutely love it. Keep up the good work please.
Author
Thank you so much for your nice feedback, I,m glad you loved it 🙂
whao! God bless you real good. I have learned many ways of cooking our Nigerian dishes.
Author
You are so welcome Joy Ukomah, I’m glad to be of help and God bless you too 🙂
Enter your comment…pls how do u make a sauce for fish barbecue
your methods are nice and straight forward. but please, what other meat type can i use to substitute goat meat or lamb meat to prepare asun
Thank you ma for this post. I tried the 3rd method and it came out really nice. God bless you.
Hi Peace, thanks for your feedback. God bless you too hun 🙂
Nice one dear…your methods are so easy to understand. I tried it and it turned out well.thanks Can I use these methods on cow head/cow tail too?
You're welcome Ebere, and yes you can use the methods on cow tail.
I love the first method best, because of the smoky flavor from the grill…yummy… thanks
you're welcome 🙂
Thanks for the recipe. Will definitely try it before the week ends
ok Olaide,expecting your feedback 🙂
Thanks for the recipe, for grilled chicken is it advisable to cook first, before the marinade. would appreciate a reply….. Thanks loads
Pls am sorry to ask diz here… Can u give me a knowledgeable on wat i could use to garnish my fish barbecue, my uncle got wedding and am doing dat for him… Any idea? Pls pm me in my mailbox… [email protected].. Thanks in anticipation.
You can use sliced tomatoes, cucumber, onion rings and even fried plantain.
Thanks for this recipe, I was asked to make it. How much can I charge for a medium tray of it
Thanks a lot, was just thinking on wat to entertain my guest dis evening until I stumbled across ur knowledge based and easy to understand recipe. See ya later
You're welcome 🙂
Thanks again for this wonderful knowledge sharing session. can the meats be wrapped in foil before roasting on coal pot?
Yes you can dear, but the smoky taste from the grill add to the taste of the meat, just like in suya.
Pls, tell us how we could prepare the oven one. Thanks.
If using an oven grill, preheat for about 10 minutes on temperature 180ºC /350ºF, then follow the recipe as it is.
Running off to buy my goatmeat .let u know how it turns out tom
Ok dear, send me some pics too 🙂
Hello, u are doing a great job. Please i need a recipe on how to make curry sauce.Please help.Thank you very much.
Thanks dear, Curry sauce coming up 🙂
Here's my curry sauce recipe https://www.nigerianfoodtv.com/2014/04/coconut-curry-sauce-gravy-with-chicken.html
Whao! I love this, I will try it. God bless u.
Bless you too dear 🙂
Hmmm Yummy
Thanks dear 🙂
Thanks for the detailed instructions on preparing Asun. God bless you real Good.
Author
You’re welcome Victor
Thanks for this God bless
God bless you too dear 🙂
Thank you. God bless. Very easy to understand would definaitely get in touch with you when I try the recipes.thanks aagain
Thanks Mabel, glad to be of help dear 🙂