Welcome to 2018 – Happy New Year! Over the years, I’ve whittled down my lofty, lengthy list of goals and new years resolutions to a few things. In 2017, I have to say I did what I wanted, when I wanted. Mostly. Self-care was present..mostly… and that’s saying a lot. One of the things I’m most grateful for is that I kept up – thanks to family and friends who contributed – with the monthly Nigerian Seasonal Produce Column. I’m so proud of myself 🙂 for the organization and also the consistency in execution. I want to continue with this,...
Cocktail Monday: The ‘Nina Simone’
I’ve loved Nina Simone since 1994, thanks to a boyfriend who loved her. Her voice – rich, smooth; the words – full of hope, longing, loss and love. There was something about her that drew me 23 years ago and hasn’t left me since, even past the memories of that relationship and others. Her ‘Feeling Good’ is the only song that embraces my range of tones and pitch and my voice. It is the song that saved my children from embarrassment when at a school show they called upon parents to sing and I got pushed out. Lol. They confessed...
Nigerian Seasonal Produce: Soursop #12
‘Nigerian Seasonal Produce’ is a monthly column published on the last Saturday of each month to celebrate Nigerian fruits & vegetables, and personal stories. In this column, a writer explores a specific seasonal fruit, vegetable or leafy green assigned by the editors of Kitchen Butterfly and based on the Nigerian Seasonal Produce Calendar. This month of ‘November in December’, we’re celebrating Soursop (also known as Graviola). It’s been a crazy month – so much to do but I’m glad we finally got this published! Our author this month is Emeka Okocha of Nothing to Do in Lagos! I love, love, love how much beauty Emeka...
Small Chops Popularity Contest: Puff Puff Wins!
Puff Puff. Bouncing up and down like I’m on a trampoline. You’ve spoken. And the winner is Puff Puff. For emphasis and for good reason. Puff puff has emerged as the most popular item in any pack of small chops. Proof that deep-fried dough balls are the ‘ish. Combine that with spice and/or smoke and it’s apparent why the third and fourth most popular items are gizzard and chicken, quite often barbecued. Midnight feast Scent party Puffpuff party Groundnut chop Small chops party and mosa ain’t getting invited ??? Nigerian Liqueurs#plans — Kitchenbutterfly (@Kitchnbutterfly) November 2, 2017 The results of...
![A Possible History of Nigerian Small Chops [In Their Present Form]](https://www.kitchenbutterfly.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/SMC3_1.jpg "SMC3_1")
A Possible History of Nigerian Small Chops [In Their Present Form]
Or The Evolution of Nigerian Small Chops. And how Indian Samosas and Chinese Spring Rolls became Nigerian Small Chops Essentials. Foodways and food mapping are amongst the things I love about food – all the things that lie on and beyond the plate, somewhat unseen but present, shaping, defining the plate. These fascinate me. Like small chops. Where did that come from? The name but also the specific combinations which the name defines – today, puff puff, mosa, Indian samosas, Chinese spring rolls and meat? Where did India meet Nigeria, and China too? ‘Come, it’ll only be small chops, nothing heavy’...
In Season: Bambara Groundnuts
It is the season of Bambara groundnuts which make world-famous, Okpa. People are ringing relatives in Enugu (where the best ones are made) to send some down west, south, north and all across Nigeria. I’m sure there have also been international requests fulfilled too. I’d never had it before – only heard from friends and colleagues about how awesome it was in its various forms. It turns out that being stuck in traffic has its uses. Sometimes. In traffic, one gets to slow down and see things that perhaps may not cross one’s path. One could listen and dance –...
Nigerian Seasonal Produce: Guava #11
‘Nigerian Seasonal Produce’ is a monthly column published on the last Saturday of each month to celebrate Nigerian fruits & vegetables, and personal stories. In this column, a writer explores a specific seasonal fruit, vegetable or leafy green assigned by the editors of Kitchen Butterfly and based on the Nigerian Seasonal Produce Calendar. This month of October, we’re celebrating Guavas. Our author, Kovie writes so beautiful about memories of Big Mummy – her grandmother – and her trees. This piece had me laughing, crying and feeling all shades of lovely for memories at their finest, are a beautiful thing. Thank you, Kovie. My grandmother’s...
Coffee in Arusha-Tanzania: From Berry/ Cherry to Bean
I am a gradual learner. In the case of coffee, I’ve progressed from instant to cold brew from grounds. Next step? Buying a cafetière and grinding my own beans because I’m now an aficionado :). After all, do you know all the things I do about coffee? No? Well, grab a cup let me tell you more. The very first time I encountered coffee beans, I was shocked to see their green colour. It hadn’t occured to me that the dark brown colour came from roasting. That was a decade or so ago so don’t dare give me the eye...
Guest Post: Girl Meets Jollof
This piece – which I absolutely love – is by Fara who has a long relationship with my Beloved – Jollof. Girl meets Jollof is her story, and I’m reminded about how food shapes us, comforts us, uplifts and nourishes us. Read and enjoy xxx Before there were Jollof Wars and way before there was a World Jollof Day, there was simply Jollof rice – a delicacy that became culturally and politically relevant, a cause to rally around, a melting pot for various West African countries to showcase their individual takes on a staple that is believed to have originated...