Make Pounded Yam With A Blender: Quick, Easy Steps

Pounded yam is a beloved Nigerian dish, often served with soup. Traditionally, it is made by pounding boiled yams in a mortar and pestle until smooth, firm, and stretchy. However, this method is time-consuming and labour-intensive. Fortunately, modern kitchen appliances like blenders and food processors can be used to make pounded yam with less effort and in less time. This article will provide a step-by-step guide on how to cook pounded yam using a blender.

Choosing the right blender

To cook pounded yam with a blender, you need a good blender with sharp blades. While you don't need any particular brand, the power rating of your blender is important. A blender with a power rating of 850W should be powerful enough to make pounded yam. If your blender has a lower power rating, try blending smaller quantities of boiled yam at a time.

• Choose a blender with a high power rating, preferably 850W or higher. This will ensure that your blender is powerful enough to handle the blending of boiled yam, which can be a challenging task for some blenders.
• Look for a blender with sharp blades. Sharp blades will help cut through the boiled yam more effectively and create a smoother and stretchier pounded yam.
• Consider the capacity of the blender. If you plan to make larger batches of pounded yam, opt for a blender with a larger capacity. This will allow you to blend more yam at once, saving you time and effort.
• Check for a "pulse" button. A blender with a pulse button can be helpful when making pounded yam. It allows you to blend in short bursts, giving you more control over the blending process and helping you achieve the desired consistency.
• Opt for a heavy-duty blender if possible. A heavy-duty blender can handle the task of blending boiled yam more efficiently and may eliminate the need for mashing the yam before blending.
• Consider the speed settings. A blender with multiple speed settings can be advantageous as it allows you to adjust the blending speed according to the consistency you want to achieve.
• Read reviews and compare different models. Research and compare different blender models to find one that is suitable for making pounded yam. Reading reviews from other users can give you insights into the performance, durability, and ease of use of specific blender models.

Preparing the yams

Once your yam is prepared, place the pieces into a pot and add water. Make sure the water covers all the pieces of yam in the pot. Then, boil the yams until they are tender or soft. You can check the softness by piercing the yams with a knife or fork. Another sign that the yams are ready is that the water will be cloudy and slightly soupy.

After boiling the yams, strain and decant the water, but keep it aside as you may need it later to adjust the texture of the pounded yam. Leave the boiled yams in the pot and transfer some onto a plate. At this point, you can cut the yams into even smaller bits and mash them with a fork, especially if you don't have a heavy-duty blender.

Now you are ready to blend the yams! Place a small amount of the boiled yam into your blender and blend for a few seconds. Keep adding more pieces of yam gradually while blending. You can stop every 10 seconds to check the consistency and add more yam. If your blender has a ""pulse" button, you can pulse for 10 seconds, stop, and repeat until the yams are smooth and stretchy.

And that's it! Your yams are now ready to be served with your favourite soup. Enjoy!

Boiling the yams

First, you'll need to select and prepare your yams. It is recommended to use white puna yams, and to select a tuber from the middle of the yam, as this will give the best consistency. Peel the yam and cut it into cubes. The size of the cubes will depend on the power of your blender, but generally, they should be cut into medium-sized pieces.

Next, place the yam cubes into a pot and add water. The water level should be enough to cover all the yam pieces in the pot. Turn on the heat to medium and cook the yams. You'll know the yams are done when the surrounding water becomes cloudy and slightly soupy, and you can easily insert a knife into the pieces.

At this point, you can decant the water and set it aside. You may not need it, but it's a good idea to keep it in case your pounded yam needs to be softened later.

Now your yams are boiled and ready for the next step—blending!

Blending the yams

Now it's time to blend! Transfer some of the boiled yams to a plate and cut them into even smaller bits. You can also mash them with a fork to save your blender some work. Place a small amount of the mashed yam into your blender and blend for 20 seconds. Keep stopping and starting to avoid over-blending, which will make your pounded yams too soft and stretchy. If your blender has a ""pulse" button, use this and blend for 10 seconds at a time. You'll notice the yam go from crumbly bits to a "doughy" mass in the centre of the blender. Once you have a smooth and stretchy consistency, scoop out the pounded yam and repeat the process with the remaining yams in the pot.

Your pounded yam is now ready to serve. It's best served immediately, as it can lose its elasticity over time. It goes well with Egusi, Bitter leaf, Banga soup, or any Nigerian soup of your choice.

Serving the yams

Once you've blended your yams to a smooth and stretchy consistency, you're ready to serve! Pounded yam is best served immediately after preparation, as it can become soft and lose its elasticity over time.

Pounded yam is a swallow recipe, and is usually served with a soup. It is a delicacy in Nigeria, and the soup you choose to pair it with may differ based on personal preference or what part of the country you are from. Some of the common soups people pair pounded yam with are Egusi, Efo Riro, Bitterleaf, Banga, and Oha soup. You could also try serving your pounded yam as part of a buffet or as an appetizer.

Frequently asked questions