This is an update on a 2012 post:). Still relevant though! Out with the old, in with the new. Ditch the cinnamon sticks and sweet fragrance of warm spice. Replace it with heat and heart. Crisscross apple sauce….you’ll have no regrets.
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Red Amaranth-Yaji Hummus
Everyone loves hummus in my family – that silken, thick puree of chickpeas. Lately, I’ve taken to spiking mine with yaji – suya spice. The smoky, nutty flavours switches the hummus up and adds a kick. In my red amaranth haze, craze, I blanched some – essentially washed and dipped into hot water till soft/...
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Mango, Tamarind & Mazarkwaila Sauce
Now that mangoes are in season properly, we’re enjoying them in all sorts of ways, one of which is in sauces. This version features fresh mango flesh, tamarind ‘water’, cilantro – my favourite ever herb and mazarkwaila, sugar cane sugar! Now sugar cane is one of my favourite things ever and I’d never come across it...
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From Art to Life: Soursop Jam
This jam is the product of life-art-inspiration-art-life-living. I love soursops and have recently begun to experiment – creams, desserts, cocktails – no sphere is safe. I was thrilled when Chikodili Emelumadu, of Igbophilia (How to love Igbo things or what you will) shared that I would be ‘staring’ in a short story she’d written. Please...
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Palm Oil Vinaigrette
Growing up, I had a cousin, J who would always toast bits of dried crayfish and dry pepper. He would add this to palm oil and serve it over boiled yam and plantain. I think about him and the sauce a lot. And then lately, I’ve been thinking about making a vinaigrette of it. ...
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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...
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‘Epapa’ (Mokey Kola) Relish & Garlicky Snails
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...
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A Collection of Vinegars
I didn’t realise I had a ‘collection’ till I brought back four bottles of vinegar from Dubai in January – Cane, Palm, Mango and Lime. It was the Mango that captivated me on the aisle at Carrefour. Set amongst the woody sheen of balsamic, the red and golden of wine vinegars and the milky white...
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Pawpaw-Chili Sauté
This simple sauté of diced, just-ripe pawpaw and the scent leaf chili sauce is a match made in my pan. The sweet flavours of pawpaw are drawn out with the herby, edgy heat on this sauce. Did I mention it only took minutes to make? Essentially, find your pawpaw. Wash it. Peel it. Slice it....