When I first discovered Epapa – Monkey Kola/ Cola, I was intrigued by its crisp crunch – part water chestnut, part carrot and its vegetal flavour, a cross between fresh green peas and young carrots. And then one night, with a wealth of it, I decided to make a relish of it. I blitzed pieces of Epapa...
Because you can do more with Nigerian land snails than eat them and make Jollof. Because the peculiar chewy, crunchy texture lends itself to moreTo being sautéed in sweet butter and garlic and young scent leaves. Like strewn atop a bed of greens and herbs. Simple to assemble. And delicious. Think fresh and crunchy, chewy and...
I love mangoes and their varied character. To me, the mango is itself in so many ways – sweet and sour and tart. Just like it’s seed. Gnawing on one, I often find myself licking the core of a mango with a puzzled look as I navigate the compass of flavours, flossing my teeth on...
Lunchtime Capers is a series chronicling my hour-long lunch break and the places I venture to – a store, markets, a roadside restaurant. Home. —–00000—– This lunchtime caper is from months ago, when my friend, Osemhen and I visited a market close to our office. She wanted to learn to make a soup I had heard...
There’s a new drink in town – Orijin and I’m a fan. Orijin…a diminutive of Orijinal, a riff on the word Original. The first time I tried it, there was a steaming bowl of catfish peppersoup set before me at an open-air bush bar type o’ place. We sat on wooden chairs, the moon high...
Eaten on a Tuesday and Wednesday. And repeated again today, on a Sunday. And also a short discourse on how ideas are formed – one of the most intriguing things ever. How are synaptic connections made that generate so much possibility? I was on my way home a few days ago when I drove past...
There’s heat that makes you want to breathe in the frozen air from a deep freezer and burn your tongue licking it’s walls. There’s heat that leaves you understanding the phrase ‘beads of sweat’. You form them like crystals, drop by drop and soak everything with out. There’s heat that let’s you know who the...
You might think you know what a chocolate chip cookie is And that’s fine But just for the record Just for clarity’s sake…and peace too Let me tell you what it’s not A chocolate chip cookie is not Crunchy or crumbly all the way through Therefore it isn’t Maryland Or any other brand that does...
I love making (more than drinking) liqueurs 🙂 for the tons of flavour they bring to cocktails – sweet cocktails for a sweet tooth. Since I first made vanilla extract, the idea of going further, not only with seeds has taken root. There are a few principles to this: Read before you make – the internet is full of knowledge. If...