3 Must-Try Recipes Featuring Mama Put from Yaji Spice

Mama Put is a distinctive West African spice blend that can be added to hibiscus steak julienne, Mama Put – bang bang shrimp street tacos, and Yaji butter chicken. 

• Try hibiscus steak julienne with sirloin steak, spiralized zucchini, ground red hibiscus and more. 
• Try Mama Put – bang bang shrimp street tacos with one pound of shrimp and other ingredients. 
• Try Yaji butter chicken, a dish with chicken simmered in a rich, creamy tomato sauce. 

And of course, don’t forget to stock up on your spice blends that you’ll need for each curated recipe. 

Enjoy our Simple and Tasty Recipe Blog.

Mama Put is a distinctive West African spice blend made from a combination of several aromatic and flavorful spices, including grains of paradise, country onions, garlic, black pepper, grains of selim, and long chili. The seasoning has a spicy kick to it and can be added to hibiscus steak julienne, Mama Put – bang bang shrimp street tacos, and Yaji butter chicken. Our recipes page is filled with delicious, easy-to-make recipes like these.   

Hibiscus Steak Julienne 

Prep and Cooking Time: 20 minutes 
Servings: 2 

Ingredients 

• 450gm Sirloin steak 
• 4 medium Zucchini spiralized 
• 3 tbsp olive oil 
• 3 tbsp fresh thyme chopped 
• 2 tbsp chopped Parsley 
• ¼ cup of broth 
• 3 tsp minced Garlic 
• Juice of ⅓ lemon 
• ½ Mama Put Mixed Spice 
• ½ tbsp Mild chili powder 

To Make Marinade:

• 10 gm Ground red hibiscus 
• 100 ml broth 
• ¼ tsp mild pepper 
• ¼ Mama Put Mixed Spice 
• 2 tbsp olive oil 
• Garlic salt 

Instructions 

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over high heat, remove steak strips from the marinade. Put marinade aside. 
2. Place the steak strips in the skillet spread out, not crowded on top of each other. Cook strips for 4-5 minutes, stir lightly till strips are golden brown. 
3. Add garlic to the skillet, coat the strips in juice and cook for 1-2 minutes, remove the steak strips, keep warm. 
4. In the same skillet, add remaining olive oil, lemon juice, mild chili, beef broth, and 4 tbsp of the remaining hibiscus marinade juice. 
5. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring regularly. Add the spiralized zucchini noodles and toss for two to three minutes to cook it up. 
6. Add fresh parsley and thyme, and allow to cook for 1 min. Plate the zucchini noodles, add the steak strips, serve and enjoy! 

Mama Put – Bang Bang Shrimp Street Tacos 

Prep and Cooking Time: 20 minutes 
Servings: 6 

Ingredients 

For the Shrimp: 

• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and de-veined 
• 1/2 cup buttermilk 
• 1/2 cup cornstarch 
• 1/2 cup flour 
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp Mama Put 
• 1 tsp black pepper 
• 1 tsp garlic powder 
• 1/2 tsp paprika 
• Vegetable oil for frying 

For the Bang Bang Sauce: 

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise 
• 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce 
• 1 tbsp sriracha sauce 
• 1/4 tsp Mama Put 
• 1 tbsp honey (optional) 

For the Tacos: 

• 8 small tortillas (flour or corn) 
• 2 cups shredded cabbage 
• 1/2 cup shredded carrots 
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro 
• 1 lime, cut into wedges 
• Optional: sliced avocado, pickled jalapeños, diced tomatoes 

Instructions 

Prepare the shrimp:  

1. Marinate shrimp in buttermilk for 15-20 minutes. 
2. Mix cornstarch, flour, salt, Mama Put, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a bowl. 
3. Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C). 
4. Dredge shrimp in the flour mixture, shake off excess. 
5. Fry shrimp until golden and crispy, 2-3 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels. 

Make the Bang Bang Sauce: 

1. Whisk together mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, Mama Put, sriracha sauce, and honey. 

Assemble the Tacos: 

1. Warm tortillas in a skillet or microwave. 
2. Spread Bang Bang sauce on each tortilla. 
3. Add shredded cabbage and carrots. 
4. Top with fried shrimp. 
5. Drizzle more Bang Bang sauce. 
6. Garnish with cilantro and lime juice. 
7. Optional: add avocado, pickled jalapeños, or diced tomatoes. 
    

Yaji Butter Chicken 

Prep and Cooking Time: 20 minutes 
Servings: 4 

Ingredients 

For Marinade: 

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces 
• 1 cup plain yogurt 
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice 
• 2 tablespoons Mama Put 
• 1 teaspoon Ataré 
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander 
• 1 teaspoon chili powder 
• 1 teaspoon salt 

For the Sauce: 

• 3 tablespoons butter 
• 1 large onion, finely chopped 
• 3-4 cloves garlic, minced 
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced 
• 2 teaspoons Mama Put 
• 1 teaspoon Ataré 
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander 
• 1 teaspoon paprika 
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional) 
• 1 (14-ounce) can tomato puree 
• 1 cup heavy cream 
• 1/2 cup water 
• Salt to taste 
• Fresh cilantro for garnish 

Instructions   

1. Marinate the Chicken: Mix yogurt, lemon juice, Mama Put, Ataré, cumin, coriander, chili powder, and salt. Coat chicken pieces, cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. 
2. Cook the Chicken Quickly: Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C). Bake chicken on a sheet for 10-12 minutes until cooked. Alternatively, cook in a hot skillet for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. 
3. Prepare the Sauce: In a skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Sauté onion until golden, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and ginger, cook for 1 minute. 
4. Add Spices: Stir in Mama Put, Ataré, cumin, coriander, paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using). Cook for 1 minute. 
5. Finish the Sauce: Add tomato puree, simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in heavy cream and water, season with salt. Simmer for another 3-4 minutes until thickened. 
6. Combine and Serve: Add cooked chicken to the sauce. Garnish with fresh cilantro. 

Browse our collection of recipes for other fun, easy recipes that celebrate West African cuisine. And of course, don’t forget to stock up on your spice blends that you’ll need for each curated recipe. Mama Put is spice of the month, but don’t let that stop you from trying our Ataré blend or Suya spice blend. Each spice blend from Yaji Spice is home grown, direct from the farm, and supports women farmers in Nigeria and Ghana.