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...
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...
What to eat in Ghana
As told by me. And in alphabetical order. And yes, 11 days in a country makes me an expert, on eating at least, if nothing else. I’ve done my best to share the correct pronunciations. Where available, I’ve included photographs – enjoy!
The Taming of The Stew
His cries of ‘spice, spice’ herald new beginnings, but at only 4 years old…this little man knows it not. This is the first proper ‘thing’ to come out of our new kitchen ( long before our delicious churros which have been followed by cupcakes and pizza. I’m thankful I can still cook and bake!), or...
How to Make Nigerian Ogbono ‘Soup’
The Hague, July 2011 Imagine this: Its Monday morning in the official headquarters and I’m in the ‘war room’, surrounded by uber-tech computer screens, sitting around a large wood-panelled table. My entire body finds solace in a soft, black leather swivel chair and I sink in, armed for another work week. Chit and chatter fill...
Moin Moin – Steamed Nigerian Bean Cake
At eight years old, I was full of ambition. I had my mind made up and nothing, absolutely nothing was going to take my dream away. My dream of….
Palates & Palettes: Painting Backgrounds for Food Photography
Welcome to Palates & Palettes, a series of (food) photography posts exploring various elements of food photography because we savour the colours of the food as well as the ‘canvas’ it lays upon.
Steamed Plantain Pudding, Nigerian style
I love everything about food – the components, the assembly and the presentation. I enjoy experimenting with colour palettes and taste palates, textures and light. I love to highlight the net skins of cantaloupes and the bum cheeks of peaches, almost as much as I enjoy sushi and (cooking with) wine. I love highlighting the...
Colombian Pan De Banano….
….aka Banana bread, with white chocolate chips and pecans! It took me a while to figure out what to make for this stop of our Culinary Tour 2010, hosted by Joan of Foodalogue.. Eventually, I stumbled upon recipe after recipe for Banana bread…., and then it became very clear and apparent what exactly I had...