When I first wrote about tomatoes, before the Marketplace/ Tomato post, I confess I’d never seen tomatoes sold anywhere else in the world in the same way. Until I woke up on a Saturday morning and came across a photo – of baskets of tomatoes in an Italian Piazza while flicking through ‘Waitrose Kitchen’, the...
This recipe takes me back to where it all began – Nigeria. Where garden eggs are eaten as a snack, with a spicy peanut butter dip. In this recipe, the garden egg is sliced and garnished with grilled spring onions and red chilies, for colour. It is sprinkled with a dry peanut ‘crunch’ and drizzled...
This recipe makes the bitterness of garden eggs shine through. The green garden eggs are more bitter than their white counterparts. Either way, the sugar and spice work extremely well to create a balanced ‘condiment’ that tastes Africa, smells Indian, and eats well. In the manner of Thakkali Chutney. Weeks ago, my friend Deepa of...
In season, in season, garden eggs are in season. Truth be told they’ve been in season for a month or so now. Wheel-barrowed boys and men push these out-of-hand eggs around the city. Parking at office gates, awaiting the gong of closing time for sales to peak. Or outside school gates, though I doubt this...
I am considering moving countries. Cities. Towns. Brighton is currently top of my list. Don’t ask me the hard question, for I can’t choose right now between Brighton and the love of my life, New York City. For now, let’s just leave it at Brighton. The photos may explain why.
Something Old fragrant trails & paths of old paved by silk, saffron and peppercorns Something New The alchemy of touch and taste, to produce memories, nostalgia (salt on cheeks), feeling, moment, heart Something Borrowed From spice racks, the world’s own, seeds, nuts and berries are drawn. Old familiars: nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla. And new ones too:...
Pandowdy See this pie – its a gorgeous skillet bake with a nicely ‘gridded’ top crust. Meet my version of the pandowdy. An Apple & Rhubarb pandowdy. – thick with flavour and scented with citrus. Sweet, with hints of tart, nicely wrapped in a flaky crust. I met this pandowdy fellow a mere week ago...
I may not have le cordon blue or any ribbon at all proclaiming me master pie maker but I am determined to raise my children on pie, with pie and knowing pie. My childhood was satisfactory, thank you very much. Even without pie as we know it. All that pielessness is being addressed, corrected. I’ll...
America runs on Dunkin’. And so do some Nigerians. Daughter #2 is considering buying a Dunkin Donuts franchise, and bringing it home. I’ve explained to her the meaning of the word…..as I consider her alternative – working for DD, as a not too progressive suggestion. She’ll overdose on the donuts, and spend every penny she...