Posset, Panna Cotta, Verrine, Kunnu Aya Pudding, Fruit Salad, and on and on and on. If you have a sweet tooth and desire quick and light desserts during Ramadan, here are a few ideas. They all involve some milk/ cream, fruit and citrus. Orange Panna Cotta Citrus, cream, heaven. And yes, with directions for using agar-agar [Pictured above]. {Recipe} Mango with Yogurt and Sesame Snaps Quick and easy. Want to know how to get perfect cubes of Mangoes? Look no further. Covered. Works very well with bananas too. Go vegan with vegan ‘gurt. {Recipe} Lemon Posset with Chocolate Pancakes Possets are a...
Kunnu Aya Drinks: Coffee, Date, Zobo
It is the season of dates, tiger nuts and mixing up flavours and combinations – all the things I love. I make up some milk and combine it three ways – with zobo, with iced coffee and with date caramel. I do this because I remember drinking Thai iced coffee and iced tea at Pam’s Thai in Manhattan’s Hell Kitchen. The iced tea reminded me of Zobo and I made a mental note… So it was I thought I’d test which worked best, trying Zobo, cold-brewed coffee and date caramel. I essentially went half and half. All had interesting flavours but...
How To Make Masa
I have much to learn about Nigerian cuisine, regional as it is and none is more special to me at the moment that the cuisine of Northern Nigeria. A cuisine that’s more than suya and kilishi, that has interesting stews, soups and drinks. The first time I heard/ read of Masa was on Afrolem’s blog. And because it doesn’t take much to surprise me, shocked was I. It reminded me of poffertjes – small, flying-saucer shaped yeasted pancakes cooked in a similar pan though with smaller divots. And also of North Indian Idlis, which are steamed, not pan-fried. And then I read the...
A Ten (10)-Day Menu for Iftar
Ramadan Kareem to all my muslim friends, today, the 18th of June which is the official start of the 2015 Ramadan season. I’m still learning, but already I love the celebratory nature of Iftar, the evening meal and a daily feast typically with multiple courses :). Special thanks to Hauwa of Casa Kuluwaz for sharing a 10-day menu for Iftar this Ramadan – thanks dear. Almost everything I know about what happens foodwise during Ramadan is thanks to her. I’m constantly comforted by how willing people are to share of themselves to help others grow. Such rich seeds that bear fruits...
An 8-Day Menu for Suhoor
If you’re looking for more suggestions for Suhoor, I’ve got you covered. Most of the recipes are make ahead, or easy to rustle up dishes so you can save some energy while getting the nourishment you need. The key is planning ahead, preparing some of the elements up front and then assembling. Here’s an 8-day menu with recipe suggestions and combinations: Day 1 & Day 2 Oatmeal is easy to rustle up, from cooked to refrigerated and baked. What gifts porridge a lift is often the additions – cooked fruit, nut butters and sauces – things that add dimension and flavour to the sometimes...
Date Caramel, Three Ways
Last year, I discovered date caramel/ toffee thanks to santifood co. It quickly became my everything – spoonfuls in tea, spread on bread, with yogurt and on and on. This discovery led me to make a spiced version that’s amazing – sweet, fragrant and full of flavour. Like chai tea? Look no further. Like sweet but not from sugar, sugar? Here you are. Want a spread, with peanuts? Chocolate? I’ve got you covered. Dates are very popular during Ramadan as the fruits to break fasts with, as recommended by the prophet. Some people eat them, drink them, add to recipes...
Six (6) ‘Meal’ Ideas for Suhoor
I think it is a terrific idea to plan your meals during Ramadan – not only does it help with stocking your pantry, it ensures you have healthy, nourishing meals planned. If I hadn’t spoken with Hauwa of Casa Kuluwaz though, I wouldn’t have understood the need to plan. Of the two ‘meals’,Iftar is much ‘celebrated’. Most people go all out to ‘feast’. I like the idea of Suhoor, the start of the day’s fast – fortification for the hours ahead. Think of it as ‘breakfast’ – the most important meal of the day, setting you up for success, considering Iftar...
Coming Soon: Your Guide to Eating During Ramadan
I’ve ‘enjoyed’ the fruits of Ramadan for most of my life, from ‘Sallah‘ meat – the copious amounts of grilled and barbecued ram and beef that accompany the feast at the end of the thirty days and the national holidays, Eid al-Fitr. It’s only in the last couple of years though that I’ve understood what happens to those taking the month-long journey – what they eat and when they break their fast. Two things stick with me, Suhoor – the early morning, pre-dawn meal before the fast begins and Iftar, the evening meal, signalling the end of the ‘fast’ for the day. Since...
Friday Cocktails: Zobo – Red Wine Cooler
This, like sangria and mulled wine. At once festive, Christmassy, of celebration. And all the consequence of a leftover bottle of red, and some leftover cinnamon sugar. I cooked both together for a syrup and topped up with zobo and ice. Recipes {Zobo} {Sugar Syrups – for lemon/ orange, use strips of skin} Red wine. Ha ha, buy that which you fancy or use that which you’ve been gifted. Soooooooooooo good. Future versions now involve bottles of red, left red, unsweetened. And sugar syrups (scent leaf would be soooooo dope) – mostly of lemon. Though orange would be awesome too....