IF you know me, you will know I love to be in the kitchen and I love to experiment with different food combinations and ideas! This dish was actually inspired by my recent trip to China where they eat a lot of soups; and in some parts their culture reminds me of Nigerians.

In Nigeria, pounded yam is usually served in large balls wrapped in cling-flim, with dishes like stew or efo/egusi. In this dish we minimise the portion of pounded yam, for the sake of clean eating; and serve them as small balls to control portion sizes. They taste amazing along side this chicken and mushroom soup which could be likened to stew – with a twist.

Unless I am copying another recipe, I tend not to ‘measure’ ingredients. I believe judgement of eye and taste buds is key in cooking, unless you’re baking and measurements become more critical.

Ingredients

Fresh Garlic Cloves

Lemon Thyme (this is different to normal thyme)

Fresh Raw Ginger

Spring Onions

Parsley

Saxa Salt (to taste)

Black Pepper (to taste)

Coriander (garnish)

Olive Oil

Packet of Cock Soup

Tin of Peeled Plum Tomatoes

Fresh Chilli Peppers

Soy Sauce

Clean Warm/Hot Water

Baby Mushrooms

Skinless, Boneless Chicken Breast

Pounded Yam Powder

The Process – Soup

• Clean/Wash & Dice Chicken
• Wash & Chop Spring Onions
• Peel & Wash Garlic Cloves
• Wash & Chop Mushrooms
• Peel & Wash Ginger
• Wash Lemon Thyme
• Chop Chillies

• Blend Tin Tomatoes, Cock Soup & Chopped Chillies

• Heat some olive oil in a pot
• Add chicken pieces to pot when oil is hot
• Brown chicken for 2 minutes
• Add Spring Onions
• Add Mushrooms
• Add Blended Tomato Mixture
• Add enough Warm/Hot Water to cover contents of pot
• Add Lemon Thyme
• Grater Garlic Cloves in Pot
• Grater Ginger in Pot
• Add Salt, Pepper & Parsley to taste
• Leave to simmer

The Process – Pounded Yam

• Bring water to a boil
• Add Salt if you wish (I didn’t – Soup has enough flaour)
• Add Yam Powder
• STIR QUICKLY (TO AVOID LUMPS)
• Keep adding powder until desired consistency
• STIRRING CONTINUOUSLY AND QUICKLY IS KEY!
• Add Tiny bit More Water, leave to simmer

Viola

• Transfer yam to cling film and mould
• Serve Soup in Bowl & add Coriander for garnish
• Scoop pounded yam in to mini balls and place on plate
• Add light dressing of Soy Sauce to Yam Balls

Enjoy and let me know how it turns out for you!

Smooches, love and fabric dolls and gents xxx