Suya/Yaji

[RedRajah]

Watching "House of Knives" on Food Network has introduced me (thanks to chef Martel Stone) to an African spice blend called suya (also can be referred to as yaji). And I'm curious if this is a spice blend worth trying to make at home or if I would be better off getting a pre-made blend from a reputable spice dealer.

Anyone familiar with this blend and the best way/recipes to use it?

 

[frimble3]

Watching "House of Knives" on Food Network has introduced me (thanks to chef Martel Stone) to an African spice blend called suya (also can be referred to as yaji). And I'm curious if this is a spice blend worth trying to make at home or if I would be better off getting a pre-made blend from a reputable spice dealer.

Anyone familiar with this blend and the best way/recipes to use it?

Never heard of it, never used it, but, until someone more qualified (anyone!) comes along:
If you've only heard of it on TV, I'd get a pre-made blend from a reputable spice dealer, and try it. By itself, on or in stuff.
See if you like it, what you might want to change, etc. Rather than acquiring new spices that you only use once. Then, see if it seems worth the bother of making up at home.

 

[kaitie]

I'll throw in my two cents. I think for me it depends on what's in the spice blend. I have some that I have purchased as a blend, but I have a Persian macaroni recipe that calls for a Persian meat spice blend, and because all the spices are things that are already in my cabinet, it's easy to throw together when I run out. If I needed to purchase several ingredients to make it, though, I'd just buy the blend.

 

[frimble3]

I'll throw in my two cents. I think for me it depends on what's in the spice blend. I have some that I have purchased as a blend, but I have a Persian macaroni recipe that calls for a Persian meat spice blend, and because all the spices are things that are already in my cabinet, it's easy to throw together when I run out. If I needed to purchase several ingredients to make it, though, I'd just buy the blend.

There! A person who, from the sounds of it, cooks!
I am, by nature, a warmer and re-heater.

 

[kaitie]

There! A person who, from the sounds of it, cooks!
I am, by nature, a warmer and re-heater.

My husband is what I would refer to as a real cook. I'm just someone who follows recipes adequately.

 

[frimble3]

My husband is what I would refer to as a real cook. I'm just someone who follows recipes adequately.

Any instruction more complex than 'remove wrapper and pre-heat oven' and I look for something else to eat.
* Don't worry, when I had a cat, his food was always stored far away from mine. Although some of the fancier cat-pates were just begging for a cracker.

 

[benbenberi]

Do you know if suya/yaji is the type of blend that always has a similar composition, like fines herbes or five spice powder, or the type that is made differently by every single person who makes it, like za'atar? A pre-made blend would certainly be in order for the first kind. For the second, you'd better research what the range of composition involves and see if you have the ingredients handy to try making your own or a source for the blend who specializes in the cuisine in question.

 

[RedRajah]

I've seen various recipes, with differing ingredients and proportions so far.