Putting jet lag to good use. Time Zone: Eastern Daylight Precise Location: New York State Currently….blogging at 4.45am while the world, the city around me sleeps! —–00000—–
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Nigeria’s Wet Season Produce: May/June
I can’t call it summer here, for it is always warm in Nigeria and mostly sunny. What I can say is the rains are here. In full force and my frustrations rise to a head about this time. Every year. Apparently, I do not learn. If I did things would be different. For I know...
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Banga Soup: Love in a Claypot
Tales by Oritsegbemi Emmanuel Jakpa With the spliced rhythm of tribal Africa, with the pulse, and raw hide cloak of riddles, with the drizzling monsoon on lemon grass, with the serene river songs of the canaries, with the dim light of the oil lamps, I reflect on the times when under the tropical moon fierce...
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The Preview to St Patrick’s Day: Guinness Caramel Sauce
Guinness on my mind. For I am seeking ‘things I have in common with….’ The Irish. You know, in honour of Paddy. And his day. And one of those things would be Guinness. (PS: Dark chocolate and coffee lovers will adore this sauce. More on that later) And Nigeria would be the first country outside...
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Nigeria’s Dry-Wet Season’s Produce: February/March
The first rains have begun, jerking me out of my bed in the wee hours of a Saturday morning. Windows are hurriedly shut while thunder pounds the skies with no desire to let up. This is Nigeria. And the rains are almost always knocking at the door. I’m not opposed for the rains bring goodness, by the...
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Nigerian Peanut Butter (Okwu-Oji) with Grains of Paradise aka Alligator Pepper
I know a place inspired by a library book my 5-year old brought home: I know a place by Karen Ackerman I know a place where vanilla and cloves meet And embrace with warm, heady scents Where citrus and nuts mingle in a pungent dance Where ginger and cardamom, black pepper and coriander come alive...
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Wara, Nigerian Cheese Curds
Wara, a place in Kwara state, Nigeria: 8°25’60” N; 4°27’0″ E and 305m above sea level. Awara, food. Faux cheese aka Nigerian Tofu, made from soya beans. Wara, food. From Kwara state, fresh cottage cheese/curds made from milk. And currently formerly in my possession. —–00000—– My cheese curds arrived half way between saying goodbye to neighbours moving to...
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Nigeria’s Dry Season’s Produce: January/February
Some day soon, I’ll have a record that’s complete. I’ll know exactly when to lie in wait for mangoes, buy the best pineapples and feast on Ube, with corn. This is the start of that catalogue. The Nigerian climate, like most tropical countries consists of seasons, rainy and dry. Obviously, there are differences from north to...
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Preparing for Christmas: Nigerian Salad
Nigerian salad. An oxymoron. One I think about, sitting in the lounge and waiting for the boarding announcement for I am well and truly on my way home. Home to Nigeria. To my husband, and children and the December heat. To a Christmas feast, of gifts and presents and maybe even food, which may not be...