I have mixed thoughts about February being Black History Month in general, but I will take any opportunity to celebrate the important contributions that people from the African diaspora have made in our society. Food and recipes definitely fall in that category, so I’m sharing a pounded yam (Iyan) recipe in this post.
I will also be sharing some more of my favorite African, Caribbean and southern “soul food” recipes over the next few weeks.
One of the great things about being a foodie who lives in NYC is that there is such an ethnic diversity of foods…and my friends represent that!
When I asked my Nigerian friend Yemisi if I could come over to see her prepare a traditional African dish, I had no idea that she was going to prepare a feast. She ended up making two meat dishes and two sides.
I am starting off with a relatively easy recipe for pounded yam (Iyan) that I previously knew as fufu. I’m sharing a video and the actual recipe that was used. (By the way…that little kid who interrupts us is my son Sean!)
Pounded Yam (Iyan)
Iyan (Pounded Yam) – Western Version
Total Time: 20 Min
Cook Time: 20 Min
Yield: 6 to 8 Servings
Ingredients
-2 ½ Cups of Yam powder mix
-4 Cups of Boiling Water
Directions
1. In a sauce pan, bring 4 cups of water to a boil over a medium flame. Set aside ½ cup of the boiling water.
2. Slowly pour 2 cups of the yam powder mix into the boiling water while stirring with a rolling pin (a French rolling pin is perfect) while still over a medium flame. Continue to add the remaining yam powder mix until the mixture has a dough-like consistency.
3. Turn off the heat. Keep stirring until the Yam powder mix is fully incorporated. (The desired result is a dough consistency.)
4. Over a low heat, pour the remaining ½ cup of hot water on the dough mixture and let the mixture boil for three minutes.
5. Turn off the heat. Thoroughly stir the mixture until the water is fully incorporated into the dough. Scoop the dough into a bowl and serve immediately.
Recipe Notes
- The best pounded yam powder brand to use is Ado yam.
- The pounded yam is great served with Egunsi stew, Obe Ata or Ila.
If you found this recipe helpful, please share it. In addition, consider signing up for my weekly email newsletter so that you don’t miss future updates. Thanks!