tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77414864724590349342024-03-20T02:55:09.144-07:00Eme's Kitchen Experience Eme Ofemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225960125936169029noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741486472459034934.post-83086415429327028012024-03-08T01:29:00.000-08:002024-03-08T01:29:23.185-08:00The Crust of Progress<p>I enjoyed many privileges growing up as a girl, especially as the first female child of my parents. Although those privileges didn't shield me from discipline and reset slaps, they offered me the opportunity to be and express myself freely.</p><p>My parents placed a profound value on education, believing that a gift without education was meaningless. With this understanding, I started my formal education at the age of 18 months and excelled, completing my O'levels quickly.</p><p>Since I was yet to turn 16 and quite petite, some suggested to my father that he delay my university education. Thankfully, he rejected that advice. He believed that educating a woman was an investment of great return, one capable of promoting progress in any environment. He felt that any short-term financial strain would be eclipsed by the long-term benefits of having an educated daughter.</p><p>Sadly, that is not the story for every woman. Many women today are either partially or totally uneducated, subjected to unreasonable expectations, and kept at a disadvantage. In some cultures, women are seen as objects for male dominance and reproduction. Marginalized and denied basic human rights, women's progress requires continued awareness and action. This is the focus of International Women's Day (IWD).</p><p>This year's IWD theme, "Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress," emphasizes achieving gender equality and women's well-being in all aspects of life. Investing in women's economic opportunities, such as education, skills development, and access to finance, is crucial for a more equitable and prosperous world.</p><p>Of course, investing in women will not be a walk in the park. It requires challenging established biases. But consider this analogy: society is like a pizza, and women are like the crust. The crust is arguably the foundation, affecting the entire pizza's quality. Just as the time invested in making the crust determines the pizza's success, so too does investing in women determine the success of society.</p><p>Perfecting the crust was paramount when I made my first pizza. I spent hours meticulously mixing, kneading, and proofing the dough. This step is essential, regardless of your preference for a thick or thin crust. After all, the crust is the foundation of any great pizza, and it needs to be built right from the start.</p><p>A society lacking enlightened, educated, and empowered women cannot truly be called progressive. Just as we cannot call it pizza without a crust, we cannot have a progressive society without women.</p><p>Let's do the homework, inspire inclusion, invest in women, and accelerate progress.</p><p>PS: I love my pizza with a lot of cheese 🤤</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9fPwK2q_BPseFRrChrTed2zkBdxWH9Y4-QzRF88EF2qzkB0hGvAIA9Og9SOYdDARAEa9RJbl9lKQZE0UgGr-k22gW-oL0HkuNAWvGIoMXzoAxdg0CSAYZAXtDxkt5K8m30yaO4um35t-MgG0dhElyqslR6opo5xG2IVv72DRy3c_QwMPpLJJs_3X92VU/s3000/IMG_20240308_044303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2920" data-original-width="3000" height="389" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9fPwK2q_BPseFRrChrTed2zkBdxWH9Y4-QzRF88EF2qzkB0hGvAIA9Og9SOYdDARAEa9RJbl9lKQZE0UgGr-k22gW-oL0HkuNAWvGIoMXzoAxdg0CSAYZAXtDxkt5K8m30yaO4um35t-MgG0dhElyqslR6opo5xG2IVv72DRy3c_QwMPpLJJs_3X92VU/w400-h389/IMG_20240308_044303.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Eme Ofemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225960125936169029noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741486472459034934.post-66942853358771082372023-03-08T03:13:00.000-08:002023-03-08T03:38:02.637-08:00Embrace Equity<p>Nothing preaches equality more than food. Our need to eat and desire to enjoy the satisfaction food provides is a constant in every life. Food is an equalizer, our pursuit for survival is first for daily bread.</p><p>Traditionally, a hardworking man is assessed by his ability to provide food and a prudent woman is appraised by her ability to present ambrosial meals. In many ways than one, food is a strong pointer to the value of our being and the essence of our time on earth. </p><p>Since we all depend on food and feel alive from the nutrients food provides, why then do we treat others differently despite our shared peculiarity?</p><p>Knowing we are surrounded by such an unbiased qualifier like food, we should emulate the structure of nature by treating each other with the same level of importance and value like we do our appetite for food. </p><p>If we gave priority to every man like we do the gnawing pains and rumblings our tummy makes when we are starved, perhaps our world would be a better place and we would be half way on the journey to gender equality. </p><p>Every year on March 8, the United Nations marks an international women's day to celebrate the accomplishments of women, identify their challenges and centre attention on women's right. This day is always aimed at embracing equity as it is a reliable vehicle to achieving gender equality.</p><p>While, the UN for this year 2023 may specifically focus on digital inclusion through innovation and technology for gender equality, the rest of us can lend our voices to this campaign by opening our hearts to embrace equity in our circles and spheres of influence.</p><p>The journey to equality is a collective one enhanced by everyday individual actions and we can promote equity in our respective walks of life when we 'challenge gender stereotypes, call out discrimination, draw attention to bias and seek out inclusion.</p><p>Embracing equity calls for accepting diversity and I can promote diversity through food because my kitchen, the meals I make, the edible services I render are my tools to forge an equal world. </p><p>A great meal is a blend of diverse ingredients and one of such diversity inspired cooking is a meal I call "Exotic Rice". This meal is robust in flavours and brings together the thrill of ripe plantain, beef, multi color bell peppers, carrots, aromatic spices and crunchy chicken drumsticks.</p><p>And when we sit to dine as family and friends, amidst the chatter and laughter, we deliberate constructively on how we can boost our potentials, promote gender equity and focus on strategies to create fostering environments for both genders to thrive in the society.</p><p>Through our various platforms, we have a part to play in pursuing equity. 'Don't just say it, think it, be it, do it, value it and truly embrace it'.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZIpc-mJdXCjKkjIKX-MmSbefyAJKWX0LYMrMLy_2HSKyI3Ie8R3wctM0AH2Gi-CaSjG8Mcqa4byX2a82YJU2hYCw_yEU2cemE6GqKO477NHIAOfSqvRpkAOb38oraHudMZb19GcHp8fvuRUGxt72-Tm5LR7Rj6yH13frZ91-qHNSDq4z1tKpGhLgY/s3929/fotor_1667095503735_edit_273343093901519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2922" data-original-width="3929" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZIpc-mJdXCjKkjIKX-MmSbefyAJKWX0LYMrMLy_2HSKyI3Ie8R3wctM0AH2Gi-CaSjG8Mcqa4byX2a82YJU2hYCw_yEU2cemE6GqKO477NHIAOfSqvRpkAOb38oraHudMZb19GcHp8fvuRUGxt72-Tm5LR7Rj6yH13frZ91-qHNSDq4z1tKpGhLgY/w400-h297/fotor_1667095503735_edit_273343093901519.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Eme Ofemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225960125936169029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741486472459034934.post-45705888515372851612023-02-10T11:29:00.002-08:002023-02-11T00:06:19.330-08:00Potluck<p>Life is filled with a broad spectrum of experiences- experiences that may at some point question the very essence of your being. Although I am yet to spend three scores and ten years since my first cry, I feel I have great experiences that have etched the years I've spent with breath to my heart.</p><p>More often than not, many of my experiences have to do with food and that is because I relish good food and not necessarily because I'm obsessed with food. Fine🙄 it can be argued that I'm obsessed with food but to a larger extent with its preparation than with its consumption. All the same, that argument is not what this post is about. </p><p>Recently, I turned a year older and also launched into another scope of my life's vision. Every step of this new journey has been exciting, challenging and so demanding of my time including the time to cook and make spontaneous meals for myself and my family. </p><p>For someone who adores being in the kitchen and whipping up exciting recipes, I had imagined setting up a commercial kitchen would provide me more time to create my culinary fantasies but nope! It rather pushed me into human and physical resource management, customer service, and food criticism. </p><p>Honestly, being a food entrepreneur is a full-time job, and like a regular job, it occasionally questions my sanity and thought processes. Although this job has its perks and thrills and moments of eureka and it is something I've always wanted and still desire to thrive in, just knowing it is my job can make it feel a little less exciting sometimes. </p><p>So, with no time to sit and stare and almost no time to cook fancy meals, every bit of old food in my home and refrigerator has become more valuable as I have also lost the luxury of shopping for my home and personal kitchen. In the meantime, I've settled for potlucks - unplanned meals from leftover food. My favorite potluck this period is the experience I am about to share in this blog post. </p><p>I returned home late one night to realize the only cooked food in my house was the leftover beef stew I made some weeks back and you can guess, all the beef originally in this stew was now MIA except for the hides.</p><p>Normally, I should have picked up my phone and ordered food since I own a 24-hour ready-to-eat food supermarket but that felt too easy. The adventurous part of my brain pointed me to some forsaken sweet potatoes well hidden underneath my storage and my hands got itchy to reinvent my beef-less stew to something indulgent. </p><p>Before my brain realized what was happening, my hands had peeled, sliced, and oven-roasted those sweet potatoes. Same hands also charred some prawns, boiled an egg, and steamed some washed snails to go with my empty stew.</p><p>The sensations I felt when I took the first bite into this potluck were thrilling. My eyes welled with tears as I gently nibbled on the prawns and snails I cooked into this stew. The flavor of the stew had sipped into the hard-boiled egg through the pokes I had made on it and those sweet potatoes were seasoned with aromatic spices and drizzled with extra virgin olive oil before hitting the oven.</p><p>This potluck was a burst of flavor, everything in it was giving everything it was meant to give. I could not help but bless God who gave man the senses to deeply enjoy good food.</p><p>I may still not have so much time on my hands, and perhaps still struggle to find a balance between being a kitchen personality and a food entrepreneur but what I most certainly would do again is create more potlucks and enjoy them as best as I can because for God sake we only live once and "food" should be our favorite F-word😁</p><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZu4wp6VgSEkpYwEYT-EA1-UBHHXWbpnAJkjU6CrBmCJlCZ3kKyPMkxxu7oM9p6uYqQq-LAToYO8HXFf12B_5GVHMTpPTIAmajN_MweFgAUwzgPXSakSLlEL4K1l2yTVh9B5iVytGxhojJoHVnuJioclPYseOhLDcItAIG_jPOCOSm8_tapAnX3xh/s3078/fotor_1667464234942_edit_435670009223101.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2073" data-original-width="3078" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZu4wp6VgSEkpYwEYT-EA1-UBHHXWbpnAJkjU6CrBmCJlCZ3kKyPMkxxu7oM9p6uYqQq-LAToYO8HXFf12B_5GVHMTpPTIAmajN_MweFgAUwzgPXSakSLlEL4K1l2yTVh9B5iVytGxhojJoHVnuJioclPYseOhLDcItAIG_jPOCOSm8_tapAnX3xh/w400-h270/fotor_1667464234942_edit_435670009223101.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Eme Ofemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225960125936169029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741486472459034934.post-68321400895344741082022-12-24T12:05:00.004-08:002024-03-07T19:31:41.795-08:00This Christmas <p>The air feels differently as we approach Christmas. I get filled with loving nostalgia as my heart muses over past Christmases albeit this time, some familiar waves of laughter will missing at the Christmas family gatherings. Some laughter missing due to distance, some missing due to death but altogether not there to share our delicious meals and silly jokes. </p><p>The warmth of everyone laughing, the dry air cracking our lips, the gentle carols streaming in the air and the many visitations from friends and acquaintances, are the moments we relish at this time of the year. Many ceremonies will be lined out, and slowly but steadily we would watch beautiful attires and happy faces flood the street, with cheers and admiration. </p><p>Christmas comes with mixed feelings for me, I always stop to ponder what would have been there to celebrate if God did not become incarnate through Jesus Christ. The agony of God becoming man to pay the ultimate price for sin leaves me humble and in gratitude. I wish Jesus Christ did not have to suffer eventually as a result of being born but I'm greatly pleased He thought it necessary to redeem man from death's dark clutches. We were the joy that was set before Him, the very reason He endured the cross. <a href="https://bible.com/bible/114/heb.12.2.NKJV" target="_blank">Hebrews 12:2</a></p><p>On Christmas day, we celebrate the amazing reality of God taking on flesh and being born as a man for the sake of humanity’s reconciliation with Himself. We rejoice as if Jesus is right there in front of us because we are compelled by the reality of His entry into the world and the anticipation of His future return to reign on the earth.</p><p>Christmas happened because God shared with us, and we can emulate the same by also sharing- sharing love, sharing gifts, and even sharing foods like this easy Chevon Gravy with Curry Basmati Rice. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>INGREDIENTS</b> </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>200g Basmati rice </li><li>2 tablespoon curry</li><li>500g Chevon </li><li>200g shredded carrots </li><li>100g red bell peppers slices</li><li>100g green bell peppers slices</li><li>50g chopped onions </li><li>30g chopped scotch bonnet </li><li>10g garlic and ginger paste mix </li><li>1/2 cup light soy sauce </li><li>1/4 cup oyster sauce </li><li>1 1/2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar </li><li>1 teaspoon sugar </li><li>2 teaspoon corn flour</li><li>2 tablespoon water </li><li>About 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil for frying </li></ul><p></p><p><b>METHOD </b></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><p>In a pot, boil rice, add in curry, salt, and a little drop of olive oil and cook until tender. </p></li><li>Cut chevon into chunks and marinate using salt, cayenne pepper, seasoning cubes, and goat flavor spices for about an hour. </li></ul><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>In a hot skillet, add extra virgin olive oil, onions, grated ginger-garlic paste, and scotch bonnet peppers then add in the marinated chevon and stir fry until it cooks properly. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Add shredded carrots and bell pepper slices. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Now add your oyster sauce, light soy sauce, apple cider vinegar and sugar to balance the saltiness of the light soy sauce then allow to cook for a while. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Make a slurry using corn flour and water then pour it into the chevon mixture. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Stir properly, allow to simmer for a while then take the skillet off the heat.</li></ul><p><br /></p><p>This Chevon gravy and curry basmati rice is best served and enjoyed <i>as e dey hot</i> provided you won't burn your mouth😊 and its colourfulness screams "merry Christmas" to anyone you share it with. </p><p>By all means, enjoy the season and carry in your heart a room for Jesus. Have a beautiful Christmas and by His grace, see you in 2023.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xaCS3quyMbORauK2wUZaxXYlicOtEhRDx0SqyHM_WyGjh6uVkxqT7S1jhGK5K5v52sV_H6q3-Xhq5Gs5GE9aJkdBFSEOScsnXDSwsBedUlQhJTJUIYggKQrQ2fwa6EzxloJ-mkGWcfxURT4eLQ_K9pDwOtYfuGeQfviyrp2jn3gTwOkOmmn7fA4M/s3536/fotor_1667079648764_edit_271495811642947.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3536" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xaCS3quyMbORauK2wUZaxXYlicOtEhRDx0SqyHM_WyGjh6uVkxqT7S1jhGK5K5v52sV_H6q3-Xhq5Gs5GE9aJkdBFSEOScsnXDSwsBedUlQhJTJUIYggKQrQ2fwa6EzxloJ-mkGWcfxURT4eLQ_K9pDwOtYfuGeQfviyrp2jn3gTwOkOmmn7fA4M/w339-h400/fotor_1667079648764_edit_271495811642947.jpg" width="339" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Eme Ofemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225960125936169029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741486472459034934.post-35574341192903599532022-12-10T02:50:00.004-08:002022-12-10T03:05:47.380-08:00Banana - Quick Oats Pancakes<p>We all love a good breakfast but sometimes the stress of making one keeps us away from having this very essential meal of the day. </p><p>This banana-quick oats pancake is one breakfast that is nutrient-packed, easy, delicious, and not time-consuming.</p><p>Parents can get this ready for their kids and still be in time to catch up with their daily activities.</p><p>Recently, a group of mums gathered to learn how to make this amazing breakfast for themselves and their kids and I strongly recommend, anyone interested in healthy eating and the good life to do same using the recipe below. </p><p><br /></p><p><b>INGREDIENTS</b> (<i>makes 7 medium sizes</i>)</p><p> ●3 small size ripe bananas </p><p> ●½ cup milk </p><p> ●1tsp vanilla extract </p><p> ●2 large eggs </p><p> ●1 ½ cups quick oats </p><p> ●2 teaspoons baking powder</p><p> ●¼ teaspoon salt</p><p> ●1 teaspoon ground cinnamon </p><p><i><b>All ingredients must be at room temperature. </b></i></p><p><i><b><br /></b></i></p><p><b>METHOD</b> </p><p> 1. In a blender, add ripe bananas, milk, vanilla, and eggs. Blend on medium speed until the mixture is smooth for about 15 seconds and set aside. <b>(<i>Wet Ingredients)</i></b></p><p> 2. In a bowl, add quick oats, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Whisk to combine thoroughly. <b><i>(Dry Ingredients)</i></b></p><p> 3. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and blend until the mixture is smooth for about 30 seconds. <b><i>(Batter)</i></b></p><p> 4. Set a pan over medium heat. Grease the pan with non-stick cooking spray, margarine, or dap with vegetable oil.</p><p> 5.Using a scoop, transfer the batter in bits to the pan. Cook the first side of the pancake until the edges are set and little bubbles start to form then flip the pancake and cook until golden brown.</p><p> 6.Serve as breakfast with honey, berries, banana, chocolate syrup, whipped cream or in any style of your choice.</p><p>Bon appetite</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsVPUhgYgoCIW7kuQV0EoR3-yR3PcnvuT4PortRkiGxIvcUCNwSgK-auEAUtJYElo00wD19y2WYHUnyV3NSbZ39RZJLL7l3TXD_53CqRryWIZiXm6VJ5sExR7YxinaFinLqLoQRRzw92BskLUjen3JPvFpTleBEpzSq5ssDqUAeA4SIBdKz29184AC/s5639/fotoxclusive%20studios-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3790" data-original-width="5639" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsVPUhgYgoCIW7kuQV0EoR3-yR3PcnvuT4PortRkiGxIvcUCNwSgK-auEAUtJYElo00wD19y2WYHUnyV3NSbZ39RZJLL7l3TXD_53CqRryWIZiXm6VJ5sExR7YxinaFinLqLoQRRzw92BskLUjen3JPvFpTleBEpzSq5ssDqUAeA4SIBdKz29184AC/w400-h269/fotoxclusive%20studios-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Eme Ofemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225960125936169029noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741486472459034934.post-18836281412752053712022-11-21T01:54:00.001-08:002022-11-21T04:20:34.614-08:00Restraint <p><b>Quiz</b>: What’s better than a scrumptious carrot cake? </p><p><b>Easy</b>: A carrot cake with cream cheese frosting.</p><p>Seriously, who can say no to a delicate, delectable, silky carrot cake covered in a sufficient amount of piquant cream cheese frosting? It's practically irresistible for me to deny myself a piece of such goodness.</p><p>Carrots cakes are generally moist and the richness of their fantastic flavour improves with time. Cream cheese on the other hand is tangy and adds a luxurious sweetness to regular buttercream converting it to cream cheese frosting. This union of carrot cake and cream cheese frosting is a convenient excuse for anyone to become a sweet tooth.</p><p>Making a carrot cake is pretty straightforward. My carrot cake recipes can be represented mathematically as:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>A + B = C </b></p><p style="text-align: center;">Where<b>:</b></p><p><b>"A" = </b>a dry mix of all-purpose flour(2cups), baking soda(2tsp), nutmeg(1tsp), ground ginger(1/2tsp), ground cloves(1/2tsp), salt(1tsp) and ground cinnamon(2tsp).</p><p><b>"B"</b> = a wet mixture of vegetable oil(1cup), yoghurt (1/2cup) eggs(4), finely grated carrots(2.5cups), brown sugar(1 1/2cups), white sugar (1/2 cup) toasted almond nuts(3/4cups), raisins(1/2cups) and vanilla(2tsp). </p><p>A gentle addition of mixture <b>"A"</b> into mixture <b>"B"</b> divided equally into two 8-inch round pans, then baked in an oven preheated to 180°c for about 30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the centre of the cake comes out clean produce <b>"C"</b> - Carrot cake.</p><p>You see, making carrot cake is fun. Not only do you get to relish this cake, but you also get to realize you are capable of solving a mathematical equation.😂</p><p>Being an avid baker and particularly one notorious for making cakes just for the fun of it, I am often confronted with the dilemma of whether to have a slice of cake now or save it for later and if I should stop at one slice.</p><p>Considering that over the years, humans have labelled sugar and some other foods like cakes as bad and even blamed them for being responsible for several ailments. However, the truth is, sugar has never been the enemy. To be clear, no food, cake inclusive is the offender. The real culprit has always been our lack of restraint.</p><p>Being humans, it is somehow ingrained in us to pass blame. It feels easier to blame food for being food than to blame ourselves for not keeping our appetite in check. Our desire to consume food roams about freely like a dog without its leash. We allow ourselves to eat whenever we want to and as much as we desire, when in fact the reverse should be the case.</p><p>Our behaviour as relates to food, especially sugar must be from a place of self-control. No food would be against us if we exercised moderation while consuming it. We must shift from blaming sugar for the flaws in our eating patterns and rather work on controlling ourselves from having too much of it and the substances made with it.</p><p>It is alright to love sugary grubs but with that love should come restraint, after all both love and self-control are fruits of the same Spirit (<a href="https://bible.com/bible/114/gal.5.22-23.NKJV" target="_blank">Galatians 5:22-23</a>). It’s good to eat sweet things, but one can take too much and having too much is an indication of someone who lacks restraint over his desires. Such a person is like a city whose walls are broken down and is subject to attacks (<a href="https://bible.com/bible/1849/pro.25.27-28.TPT" target="_blank">Proverbs 25:27-28</a>), even attacks on health.</p><p>Do you want to exercise restraint?</p><p>Is your self-control gauge indicating a failure? </p><p>Self-control is not something anyone stumbles upon casually, it is learned by those who train their capacity for it. Thankfully, a man's capacity to truly exercise self-control over food and other areas of life is born when he encounters Jesus for the Spirit of Jesus is a source of power, love and self-control (<a href="https://bible.com/bible/406/2ti.1.7.ERV" target="_blank">2 Timothy 1:7 </a>).</p><p>You don't have to be led by your feelings and tendencies to over eat or abuse any substance. The Spirit of Jesus is available to give you restraint and guide you into all things including the portion of food you should consume per sitting and I encourage you to take His help today. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0bqyqJBmYlM4pQfG_sFS03KCWMDr2zdA9gRb0fykdn13yY3dKoBBc4AVbRBAxr4nVF5khh6rVeO-QigLvmdnNT2rOMiG6-gCVAALILLmZT9bgZQgMjxxS4Vh-oIVhBmqR4pl6oMEJIwDgXuYx3P6ltBrKF4mtHH423Crn2xT1Ib5ortgUsvBn2VGb/s4000/fotor_1667119183631.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2680" data-original-width="4000" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0bqyqJBmYlM4pQfG_sFS03KCWMDr2zdA9gRb0fykdn13yY3dKoBBc4AVbRBAxr4nVF5khh6rVeO-QigLvmdnNT2rOMiG6-gCVAALILLmZT9bgZQgMjxxS4Vh-oIVhBmqR4pl6oMEJIwDgXuYx3P6ltBrKF4mtHH423Crn2xT1Ib5ortgUsvBn2VGb/w400-h268/fotor_1667119183631.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Eme Ofemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225960125936169029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741486472459034934.post-38538691109475492252022-11-13T08:53:00.000-08:002022-11-13T08:53:17.544-08:00Palm Oil Rice<p>As Nigerians, we should somehow be thankful that despite how expensive things have become and with food prices reaching the roof, rice is still being served on many occasions from weddings to funerals no matter the ambiance of the event.</p><p>There is hardly an event you attend and there is no rice on the menu even if the quantity being served is small. It appears Nigerians have somehow legalized eating rice at every function, we even debate periodically that occasion rice is sweeter than home-cooked rice 😂.</p><p>Surprisingly, the quality of food being served at an occasion feeds into our perception of the host and our assessment of the event. I recall meeting someone who described one event as being successful because there was a wide variety of food on display and the rice portions were generously served with sizable proteins. Needless to say, I marveled at such indices of success.</p><p>Yet, in this rice-crazy Nigeria, I have never been served Palm Oil Rice at any event before and it appears it is hardly on the menu of most public functions. A few persons I know who considered including it on their occasion's menu were rebuked by others who assumed serving Palm Oil Rice at an event, to be a sign of lack.</p><p>I do not know what factors informed that reasoning but I vehemently disagree. Every rice meal has the potential of appearing rich or poor depending on how it is being cooked. No particular rice should be monopolized as being poor or being served due to a small budget because in the Nigerian market today, rice is already an expensive food.</p><p>But for God who graciously provides for us, in this challenging economy, many of us would be unable to afford rice. However, since God did not spare His Son Jesus but delivered Him up for us all, He has also with Him, freely given us all things including the ability to buy, cook and eat rice (<a href="https://bible.com/bible/114/rom.8.32.NKJV" target="_blank">Romans 8:32</a>). God has been faithful in ensuring we are fed daily with diverse meals in big and small rations.</p><p>Meanwhile, those people shamming Palm Oil Rice, have you seen it recently? Palm Oil Rice has been upgraded. You should see the proteinous obstructions a plate of Palm Oil Rice contains when a Chef decides to be creative about cooking that "common" rice. A correct plate of Palm Oil Rice surpasses an ordinary plate of Fried Rice and could probably be reserved for VIPs at an event.</p><p>Maybe you've looked down on Palm Oil Rice because of how you prepare it, but all that can change if you carefully follow the steps in the recipe below.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>INGREDIENTS</b> </p><p> ●Washed rice </p><p> ●Palm oil </p><p> ●Chopped onions </p><p> ●Chopped scotch bonnet peppers </p><p> ●Salt </p><p> ●Maggi </p><p> ●Ground crayfish </p><p> ●Cayenne or black pepper</p><p> ●Dried Fish (deboned and cut into bits)</p><p> ●Soft Pommo (cow skin) boiled and cut into small chunks </p><p> ●Beef or chicken broth </p><p> ●Water </p><p> ●Coarsely chopped scent leaves </p><p><br /></p><p><b>METHOD</b> </p><p> ●Set a pot on low heat and once it is hot, add in some palm oil.</p><p> ●To the hot palm oil, add in one after the other stirring as you go, the chopped onions, chopped scotch bonnet peppers, salt, Maggi, crayfish, and some cayenne or black peppers if you like the extra heat.</p><p> ●Add to the mixture, the deboned dried fish and the boiled pommo. Stir well to mix thoroughly.</p><p> ●Next, pour in some beef or chicken broth. I used beef broth to prepare mine but if you don't have this, you can use chicken or beef seasoning cubes to give the meal that extra oomph.</p><p> ●Finally, add your washed rice and some water just to the level of the rice.</p><p> ●Before you cover and allow to cook, taste the rice mixture and reinforce it with the condiments used earlier if necessary.</p><p> ●Once the rice is tender as desired, throw in your coarsely chopped scent leaves, mix thoroughly and take the pot off the heat.</p><p> ●You can now enjoy your rice with any protein of choice. I served mine with fried beef.</p><p><br /></p><p>Christmas is around the corner and the commotion to eat rice would be on a surge. You can take a break from popular rice dishes and make this Palm Oil Rice to share with family and friends. Who knows, it might become your family's favourite rice dish. Shopping for this meal is economically compassionate and it's simple and chic to prepare. Also, you have the creative right to add in other accompaniments besides the dried fish and pommo.</p><p>Palm Oil Rice is good food and every good gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights (<a href="https://bible.com/bible/114/jas.1.17.NKJV" target="_blank">James 1:17</a>), Who will never change because of popular assumptions or economic challenges. Ignore those counter opinions, go ahead and make this rice, share it, eat it and enjoy ❤️. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKKVig7bhulsUZeD0RnbZGG0-zdpHKwf81BmVYB0Ni8jG4Zv7rVJbDcvMl8_d5fcDMk01mSrhUrw21Xo6iorsFPtQtwAxQEo3JzhU5I2LdBony-onUbCrv8p8SGlxqIKeLwaXFuOE3_MrUImSeRDpDfIu3VoB3GcS7RIffgl8g5gkhmRZIlfXjHKCC/s3194/fotor_1667045140813_edit_862139491751259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3194" data-original-width="2329" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKKVig7bhulsUZeD0RnbZGG0-zdpHKwf81BmVYB0Ni8jG4Zv7rVJbDcvMl8_d5fcDMk01mSrhUrw21Xo6iorsFPtQtwAxQEo3JzhU5I2LdBony-onUbCrv8p8SGlxqIKeLwaXFuOE3_MrUImSeRDpDfIu3VoB3GcS7RIffgl8g5gkhmRZIlfXjHKCC/w291-h400/fotor_1667045140813_edit_862139491751259.jpg" width="291" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Eme Ofemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225960125936169029noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741486472459034934.post-73395096236802520222022-11-05T13:31:00.002-07:002022-11-05T13:39:20.830-07:00Food<p>My appetite for food is not as great as my eagerness to cook. Naturally, I enjoy tasting my creations and I am often hypnotized by the aroma of the food and how it floods my kitchen and extends to the adjoining surrounding but often, my appetite arrives late to the summit.</p><p>There are days the process of raising my hand to my mouth with a morsel of food feels tasking whenever I decide to eat. Some form of laziness makes me daydream means I could employ to empty the food into my tummy without doing the actual work of eating.</p><p>Despite knowing the importance of food and how much my body requires certain vitamins and minerals that can only be best provided by eating, I wish the human body could photosynthesize and humans could take in food without the conscious action of eating. But for the necessity of food, maybe my body would solely rely on air for all its metabolic functions.</p><p>Since our body needs food and mankind is yet to invent anything that completely eradicates our need for food we must eat and that is the reality for every living thing. Our first provision was food and eating is the only task we performed at birth without being taught. It is not a surprise that food was central to man's first act of disobedience. Adam and Eve were beguiled into eating the forbidden fruit and even Jesus Christ was tempted to turn stones into food when He hadn’t eaten for forty days.</p><p>This is no coincidence, humans have a given tendency to eat food be it convenient or not. Remember the prodigal son? His first lack was food and his realization and conviction to return home was tied to his need for food (Luke<a href="https://bible.com/bible/114/luk.15.16-17.NKJV" rel="" target="_blank"> 15:16-17</a>). Somehow, God created a system that reveals to us how reliant we are on Him for the abundance of our food and during the absence of it.</p><p>Our need and desire for food as God's creation mirrors our need and desire for God. Our relationship with food appears to be relative to our relationship with God and this is probably why there are about one hundred and forty four (144) occurrences of hunger and hungry in over twelve (12) translations of the Bible. When we are hungry, we need food and the food we eat reminds us of our dependence on God.</p><p>In my locality, one staple food popularly considered a quick fix to hunger is Garri. Garri is made from grated, dehydrated and fried cassava. Garri on its own would just be carbs but when paired with soup, its nutrient density increases. Repeatedly, my bout of eating laziness happens whenever garri and soup are on the menu. Although my soups are always flavorful and inviting, consuming it can feel tiring when it involves garri.</p><p>On a certain day, I enthusiastically prepared one local soup that pairs well with Garri. This soup, known as "Edikangikong" was a delicious merger of waterleafs and pumpkin leaves, spiced with enough crayfish and endowed with beef chunks, snails, shrimps, stock fish and dried fish and cooked in a tasty broth with adequate palm oil. It was a soup one should immediately devour and I would have, had my appetite not gone AWOL. However, when the violent rumblings in my tummy increased, I encouraged myself to eat and I was glad I did.</p><p>There is no way to totally avoid eating food or substances that act as food just as there is no hack to our need for God. We may have reasons not to eat for a period just as we make excuses not to believe in God and the words of His Son, Jesus Christ but it can only be for so long; we would eventually get hungry and would need to eat, and what else can satisfy hunger except food?</p><p>As I urged myself to eat this beautiful perishable plate of Edikangikong soup and Garri, I urge you to eat, not just the food that perishes but the one which endures to eternal life (<a href="https://bible.com/bible/1849/jhn.6.27.TPT" target="_blank">John 6:27</a>). Also, I encourage you to eat because you need food and the health of your body depends on what you eat for "while Jesus is our truest, deepest nourishment, our earthly food is a small experience of that deep eternal satisfaction".</p><p>Just as my day got vibrant because I acknowledged my need for food and went ahead to eat this nourishing native delicacy plated in a style inspired by a culinary author, our lives now and in the time to come would be eternally satisfying if we truthfully acknowledge our need for God and make time to feed on Jesus, whom He has sent.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWlwuw99FHx1YmG6lpEeF9XYzndUMNEOrH5qJE1oecZTcpkD3TEeWtdNeYmABzfgqDYC0id3ASZ_jIyynva_wRoXS_PIAIEabpk4vaPJQVB0TzpeWmANsJCLfHs7pTMDbSQ9H4UeePJRxSAYIwzXIj4QmxN7SB70XXKk_g-JTurDg03MZGyULfqaIO/s4000/fotor_1667118591509.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWlwuw99FHx1YmG6lpEeF9XYzndUMNEOrH5qJE1oecZTcpkD3TEeWtdNeYmABzfgqDYC0id3ASZ_jIyynva_wRoXS_PIAIEabpk4vaPJQVB0TzpeWmANsJCLfHs7pTMDbSQ9H4UeePJRxSAYIwzXIj4QmxN7SB70XXKk_g-JTurDg03MZGyULfqaIO/w400-h300/fotor_1667118591509.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Eme Ofemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225960125936169029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741486472459034934.post-88928545157994558712022-10-28T12:44:00.001-07:002022-10-28T12:44:23.911-07:00Self Confidence <p>Cooking is a lot like creating. An individual thinks of a meal, gathers a couple of random edible items, goes ahead to combine them and zap! Something new comes into existence. Personally, I think anyone who has ever made a meal should be regarded as an inventor, a co-creator with God.</p><p>Not long ago, I made a breakfast quite beautiful to behold, a dazzling sight to the eyes, a delight to the taste buds and full of good nourishment. Earlier on, during a spontaneous market trip, I had purchased some eggplants, mushrooms, carrots, tomatoes, bell peppers and sweet potatoes to create my signature vegetable sauce.</p><p>This creation was luscious. I was taken by it's colourfulness and spicy warmth. Every ingredient seemed to have lended its distinctive aroma to the dish. I was impressed with my effort and delighted to share it with a few persons for reviews.</p><p>They all commented on the beauty of the food, its great composition, robust flavours, and rich satiety but nothing was said to acknowledge the creator (cook). Every comment given sounded as though those vegetables washed, prepped, and cooked itself all alone. Where was the cook in all these?</p><p>Does it make sense to shower any food more accolades than the chef who prepared it?</p><p>What wisdom is there in only appreciating a meal and not the person who created it?</p><p>Can someone indeed praise vegetables for cooking nicely and not the hands that stirred the pot?</p><p>Whenever we compliment any creation more than its creator, we are appluading the wrong thing, even if that thing is food. </p><p>Sadly, the feedback I received mirrors our attitude towards the gifts and graces of God upon our lives. We live in a world stuffed with various styles of gimmicks particularly in the form of motivational speeches. We have been challenged to believe in ourselves and innate abilities. We have come to see magnificence in our dust and strength in our fragility. We cheer the notion of being self-made and the idea that we are in charge of every thing that happens to us. We even go as far as exalting our strategies more than the God who blessed us with the grace and finesse to execute those strategies.</p><p>Yet, funny enough, human beings are like a plate of food. No matter how simple or sophisticated we may appear, the truth remains we did not cook ourselves, we were created. Everything about us, our aroma, taste, flavours and individual ingredients were carefully decided by the Master Chef.</p><p>Our confidence should be in our Maker and not in ourselves. This doesn't mean being timid, rather, it means recognising that you are, and can do absolutely nothing without Christ (<a href="https://bible.com/bible/114/jhn.15.5.NKJV" target="_blank">John 15:5c</a>). Such a heart does not exalt itself and when it receives compliments, it takes the encouragement but returns all the glory to God.</p><p>Like the vegetables I used in creating this astringent meal, let's constantly keep in mind that we are mortals and can only do all things through Christ who strengthens us. It is the Lord who equips us with strength and causes our path to be sterling. It is His power within that makes us strong and His help makes us great (<a href="https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.18.32-36.NKJV" target="_blank">Psalm 18:32-36</a>).</p><p>When next you eat, please remember every meal has a creator and do well to commend the chef responsible for the masterpiece in your mouth. 😁</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TiQEFOJQeuPDDkzCk2kzXVMInf6HhBnyWUFUJvEK_caafCCBffaT64rnMN0Ce4ChT0ESLkgu6w2djpgkRewUOsT5GDag4p-AGApbvo_3Ed7O-KJqkTSqXlCrevWp6qkEpwxF7XGwja1xvxefdmbdegA9GU--C9b3v-FljUjvCHgdzm8GToLvu9qi/s4000/IMG_20220924_130117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TiQEFOJQeuPDDkzCk2kzXVMInf6HhBnyWUFUJvEK_caafCCBffaT64rnMN0Ce4ChT0ESLkgu6w2djpgkRewUOsT5GDag4p-AGApbvo_3Ed7O-KJqkTSqXlCrevWp6qkEpwxF7XGwja1xvxefdmbdegA9GU--C9b3v-FljUjvCHgdzm8GToLvu9qi/w300-h400/IMG_20220924_130117.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Eme Ofemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225960125936169029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741486472459034934.post-2801525686515732982022-10-21T11:06:00.001-07:002022-10-21T11:17:51.068-07:00Comfort<p>Grief gets to me deeply. It beats my understanding why the good times we share with those we love, gets truncated by death. A lot of times I've found myself feeling utterly defeated at the insufferable reality of the indefinite absenteeism of a dear one. </p><p>I have attempted a lot to cope with grief, I even made myself believe I had a serious disagreement with the deceased and as a means of resolution, we had to cut off every form of communication. This facade went on for a while, but really, how long can I deceive myself that way?</p><p>After my efforts to cope with denial failed, I resorted to activities, just anything to keep my mind completely absorbed with mundane task so as to eliminate any possible reflection on my colossal loss. From unnecessary work, to excessive house chores, to binging movies and random movements, it all ended on the same note of exhaustion, leaving me weary and still grieving.</p><p>Then I attempted to achieve comfort from my passion. I created a list of things I'd like to cook and bake and made room for impulse cooking to satisfy instant whims. On one of such days, I was tired and sulking in grief and I thought, what if I made pottage, it could cheer me up. I said to myself, the sort of pottage that looks like pepper soup is especially good in boosting appetites and cheering ones mood, if I made it with irish potatoes, I would feel a lot better. I went ahead to gather the items I needed to make a steaming pot of irish potatoes pottage then sat to take pleasure in the warmth it gave me. Yet, soon after the fun faded, I was reminded of my bleeding heart and in need of consolation. </p><p>Gradually, I was turning into a recluse, not to pursue faith but to nurse grief, all my methods were disappointing. I got discouraged and gradually started becoming depressed. However, it was during this phase I realized my many attempts to find comfort were ineffective. This realization led me to take seriously the Bible verse that says "The Lord is close to all whose hearts are crushed by pain" Psalms 34:18a. My efforts to find solace got outshined by the hope this verse gave to my heart. </p><p>Now, at every stage of my despair, my mind keeps echoing these words of Christ "come to me, you weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest". It is just beautiful to know how much the Lord speaks of comforting his people. Over and again, God assures mankind of relief in His word. The comfort I got from food, the warmth I received from a soothing plate of potato porridge and the care of an extremely loving husband could not match the consolation God gave me through His word and my believe in Jesus Christ, His son.</p><p>As with the prophet Jeremiah, 'I found God's words and I ate them, and His word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart' (Jeremiah 15:16a). My heart was kindled with hope, a certain flame of encouragement kept my mind lit and comforted. I did not receive my dead back to life, but I received the hope that assured me of the ressurection from the dead. I did not stop mourning but I was not mourning as someone without hope. My eyes still burns from hot tears filled with anguish but my spirit looks forward to a great reunion where death shall be no more.</p><p>After receiving these dosages of consolation, with hope in my heart and vigour in my bones, I attempted again my irish potato pottage and this time it felt more comforting than in my previous trial. You do not need to loose anyone dear to your heart to enjoy the blessedness of this sizzling meal.</p><p>Consider it an easy feat to prepare this Irish potatoes pottage. You will need the following food items to chart your course:</p><p> ●Chevon (goat meat)</p><p> ●Chopped onions </p><p> ●Grounded scotch bonnet peppers </p><p> ●Seasoning cubes </p><p> ●Pepper soup spices</p><p> ●Salt </p><p> ●Peeled and washed Irish potatoes </p><p> ●Coarsely chopped scent leaves.</p><p><br /></p><p>Start by washing the chevon, put into a pot and season thoroughly with some of the chopped onions, grounded scotch bonnet peppers, seasoning cubes, pepper soup spices and salt.</p><p>Personally, I prefer chevon from a billy-goat because often, meat from male goats gets tender more quickly than meat from nanny-goats. Generally, since it is quite dicey to know the gender of meats in our local market, when using chevon, cook on low heat and delay adding salt to it until it is reasonably tender to avoid toughening the meat beyond the extent you can chew.</p><p>Allow your seasoned chevon to steam for a while before adding some water to the pot to preserve the flavour of the meat. Once the chevon is near tender, add the irish potatoes (you can cut into chunks if the sizes are quite big), additional water, some chopped onions and seasoning cubes and spices to keep the taste intact while the potatoes cook to a boil and the broth thicken. Lastly, add the scent leaves, stir to mix properly, put off the heat and serve to your satisfaction.</p><p>No matter the extent of your grief and how sad and empty it continually makes you feel, there is comfort for you in Jesus Christ. His invitation says "come", don't hold back, just come as you are and receive His balm for your heart. Right now, God is speaking over you and me and all those who fondly remember their departed ones “COMFORT, COMFORT My people, says your God." Isaiah 40:1</p><p>Let these words comfort you for we shall indeed meet again with our departed in Christ to share love, laughter, hugs and possibly a plate of soothing irish potato pottage.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwBoV0alX74nJjBTzZxbvyQ03K-HpXxZJfcpKAUAZNawRw7BAciwaSMFhSV4B1hRkFwhFE2PUGwn6QS7rljwhvJopoxBBhZerRa2n9f81nh-RvSxv-B-uvVVO87LwPUOd8x77YwZERmkBuwTV5UO7sWMNBPfRzkiGm9KZL7hQH7AChswfaZi5DJ60W/s3111/IMG_20220914_224232_edit_360052885624747.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2381" data-original-width="3111" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwBoV0alX74nJjBTzZxbvyQ03K-HpXxZJfcpKAUAZNawRw7BAciwaSMFhSV4B1hRkFwhFE2PUGwn6QS7rljwhvJopoxBBhZerRa2n9f81nh-RvSxv-B-uvVVO87LwPUOd8x77YwZERmkBuwTV5UO7sWMNBPfRzkiGm9KZL7hQH7AChswfaZi5DJ60W/w400-h306/IMG_20220914_224232_edit_360052885624747.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Eme Ofemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225960125936169029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741486472459034934.post-28420213538709173742022-10-07T14:02:00.001-07:002022-10-08T02:26:51.029-07:00Green Sauce<p>At one point in every child's life, eating vegetables must have been a nightmare. I remember my tiny self preferring hunger to a plate of vegetables, I likely would have suffered malnourishment if my mum did not come up with creative ways of making her children eat the locally grown vegetables.</p><p>One vegetable she made quite appetizing to me as a kid was the Green Amaranth commonly known in my locality as "green". These leafy lime green vegetables, known to house vitamins and minerals essential for heart health and bone development always had a different thrill whenever my mum served it as sauce.</p><p>To make it part of our diet, my mum would get some fresh mackerels seasoned and cooked, then she would nicely chop the green amaranth leaves, squeeze them with onions and steam in the cooked fish for few minutes. I occasionally assumed we enjoyed the simplicity of this meal because of the fish bits and the many benefits she said the greens would do in our body.</p><p>I am now an adult and in a generation obsessed with diet plans, calorie counts and all manner of eating rules. It would be negligence on my part not to take seriously the concern of making healthy food choices without force or sweet talk like it was during my childhood. I have to delibrately make vegetables a part of my diet along side other classes of food if I truly desire a healthy eating lifestyle. With this in mind, I decided to prepare my mother's green amaranth sauce with a little upgrade to her simple recipe.</p><p>My green amaranth sauce was a chicken stir fry. To nail this, I gathered items like: </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Cuts of chicken breast </li><li>Chicken spices </li><li>Seasoning cubes </li><li>Salt </li><li>White and Black ground peppers </li><li>A bit of curry powder and dried thyme </li><li>Ginger and garlic powder </li><li>Olive oil </li><li>Diced scotch bonnet peppers </li><li>Chopped onions </li><li>Chopped green amaranth leaves.</li></ul><p></p><p>With all my items set, I seasoned the chicken breast cuts with chicken spices, seasoning cubes, salt, white and black peppers, curry powder, dried thyme, ginger and garlic powder then allowed it to marinate for a few hours. In a hot skillet, greased with some olive oil, I stir fried the marinated chicken cuts adding the diced peppers and some of the chopped onions. Lastly, I squeezed the chopped green amaranth leaves with the remaining onions to reduce some moisture, sauteed it in a hot pot, then added it to the chicken stir fry mixing thoroughly to combine.</p><p>This method gave me a thirsty sauce to pair with steamed rice. Since I am not restrictive in my diet, I was convinced I had served myself something nourishing. To me, the meal before me served as a visible illustration of good health in a plate. I sat there eating, smiling, enjoying every bit and feeling accomplished for giving my body this green treat.</p><p>What I did not quite realize was, the desire to feed my body with something so nutrifying was fueled by my need for something truly satisfying. Vegetables, like the other foods we eat are good for the body but it doesn't provide everything we need to stay healthy. Despite the many researches in the food industry, no single food has been accredited as being perfectly sufficient to meet all our body function requirements.</p><p>Our diet has always been inadequate, and it would have continued to be had God not instructed us "that man shall not live by bread (food, diet plans) alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God". God saw a time when we will be overly concerned about what we eat, our diet regimens, diverse food restrictions and meal plans and went ahead to inform us that what we truly need to feed on is "every word that proceeds from His mouth" Deutronomy 8:3</p><p>That "every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" is Jesus Christ. He is God's word (John 1:1) and the embodiment of everything God has to say to man. There is an inevitability not to have eaten until you have eaten Christ. Anything we feed on excluding Jesus leaves us insufficient, impaired and void of satisfaction. John chapter 6 verse 55 speaks of Christ as one whose flesh is food indeed, and whose blood is drink indeed.</p><p>Physical food is good but it is not enough to save our body and it is bound to perish."Do not focus your consumption on the food which perishes, but on the food which endures to everlasting life, which is Jesus Christ. He is the perfectly sufficient food recommended by God the Father". John 6:27</p><p>Food can preserve your cells and nourish your organs but only Jesus gives life in abundance, only His spirit can quicken our mortal bodies and renew our strength daily like the eagles. Everything we eat has a role to play in our body either for good or bad but every word that proceeds from the mouth of God is a life-giving spirit. Jesus is the meal that ultimately increases our life's expectancy to infinity.</p><p>The question is, what are you feeding on? Unlike our excellent food researchers and expert dieticians, Jesus declares "He who comes to Me (feeds on me) shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me (as being satisfying and enough) shall never thirst (lack in divine health)" John 6:35.</p><p>Are you going to be the one? Does your menu and diet regimens include Jesus?As you reflect on this, may you realize that healthy eating is not entirely the function of what you feed on instead of "Who" you feed on.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYUOBiczFI832OKzDX6XrG3t3aZ7izvAxn7oqMUfP7rWa2Ra4T1xdkH7mFznRfStzltY1Ve917nXQZKdpFKZfOK-i8uguZGowWCunOlD89NtzM_R69iJHayanHZiY6Ybt0GmcQxzfnW2SAuhxkvSET0M_IBr2FHo_w-Z3ZFO4kruYLZVe5mIzfN4Y/s3179/IMG_20220825_113626_edit_9703704394352.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3179" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYUOBiczFI832OKzDX6XrG3t3aZ7izvAxn7oqMUfP7rWa2Ra4T1xdkH7mFznRfStzltY1Ve917nXQZKdpFKZfOK-i8uguZGowWCunOlD89NtzM_R69iJHayanHZiY6Ybt0GmcQxzfnW2SAuhxkvSET0M_IBr2FHo_w-Z3ZFO4kruYLZVe5mIzfN4Y/w378-h400/IMG_20220825_113626_edit_9703704394352.jpg" width="378" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Eme Ofemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225960125936169029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741486472459034934.post-37218288211891491752022-09-30T13:29:00.000-07:002022-10-08T02:25:49.767-07:00Substitution<p>I miss the year 2013. It was the year I turned 19 and more significantly the year my relationship with food took a new turn. I was brought more closely to what will subsequently birth the devotion of my life.</p><p>My first baking experience happened a few months into 2013, although unexpected, it was no doubt divinely orchestrated. At the time of that exposure, I did not realize what effect it would have on me until a certain fondness crept into my heart some days later.</p><p>Since my training was not formal, I had difficulties understanding unfamiliar recipes. I could take precise measurements but often, I did not know what some ingredients were, how to source them, or why they were even required in the recipe. A lot of those cakes did not turn out well because of my limited understanding.</p><p>That was always the case until I stumbled on a technique called substitution. Yes, substitution! Not the mathematical approach but the literal act of replacing something with another to achieve a similar result or purpose. So I started substituting; a cup of milk and a tablespoon of vinegar for buttermilk; a cup of all purpose flour minus two tablespoons plus two tablespoons of corn flour for cake flour; a cup of yogurt and a teaspoon of baking soda for sour cream; a cup of white sugar and a tablespoon of molasses for dark brown sugar, and the list goes on and on.</p><p>These recommended substitutes achieved similar results as the original items and gave me a good feel of what the expected outcome should be. Occasionally, using a substitute could mean adjusting some measurements but over the years of being the kitchen, I have grown to see the possibilities of substituiting almost anything whenever the need arises without compromising on quality.</p><p>Apparently, substituition has been a time honoured practice. Men in generations before now accepted alternatives to what was required provided it met the intended purpose. The Bible tells the story of how Abraham sacrificed a lamb in the place of his son Isaac. Just as the knife was set to slay Isaac, Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram. So he went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. Genesis 22:1-13.</p><p>This need for substitution was not limited to Abraham or relegated to baking alone. The entire human race because of sin attracted the penalty of death but God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). We were all like Isaac, stretched out to be slaughtered but The Lamb was slain in our place.</p><p>This Lamb, the man that became our substitute is Jesus. He is the substitution for the whole of mankind, the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. Our substitute met all the requirements for taking the penalty of sin. Man had sinned and man had to die and Jesus was the man for the job. The place of our crucifixion rather had Jesus on it. He became the sin that made us fall short of the glory of God and received the full punishment for that.</p><p>Whenever I bake, I treat my substitutes as I would the actual items. I do not give them a new title or use them differently from what was prescribed in the recipe. Where the recipe called for buttermilk, I used my substitute buttermilk. When it asked for the cake flour to be seived before being measured, I did exact with my replacement just as God did the same.</p><p>Sin demanded justice and God exercised justice by offering Jesus Christ on our behalf. Cleansing from sin required blood and without the shedding of blood there is neither release from sin and its guilt nor the remission of the due and merited punishment for sins (Hebrews 9:22). By Jesus' death on the Cross the wages of sin was paid for and His blood became the cleansing from the sin we were conceived in.</p><p>My baking substitutions, so long as it is done precisely gives me the expected outcome. I have made countless of cakes like this Ginger Lemon Cupcakes adapted from Fine Cooking's Recipes of Cakes & Cupcakes. Here, I substituted for sour cream and cake flour and still acheived a toothsome result. Similarly was Jesus's substitutionary death on the cross. </p><p>The effect of His death in our stead is profound, overwhelming, unending and humanly impossible to fully comprehend. Jesus was not just our sin offering, He was our sin. His death did not make us righteous, it made us the righteousness of God through Christ. We have been ransomed, healed, restored and forgiven on the account of this great substitution. We received redemption from the penalty of sin on the account of Jesus.</p><p>Even now, these divine benefits are available to anyone who will come to Jesus accepting His death in his place and receiving His righteousness for himself. You can be that person, Jesus Christ is your perfect substitute and your death sentence has been executed on Him. The Lamb of God has died your death and you have indeed been set loose to truly live.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmu8cpv5VB1iO2JlLUL9gJzMq1MbJiLGZ4f4vrzBPGUUy5_U8aJ8HlmQQD9JKGeaUj-4RQ-qoLhTeTNvtU5iNYwPH2fqpmq34SeG7Ja61nFoGOCcvcPHscbwFBJBJc1Su3w6vF5UcMGCWM3nxRUreqOOlvJ_j3usdGJbWmQzy2t_RE2yycO6NFqsN/s4000/IMG_20220929_192434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmu8cpv5VB1iO2JlLUL9gJzMq1MbJiLGZ4f4vrzBPGUUy5_U8aJ8HlmQQD9JKGeaUj-4RQ-qoLhTeTNvtU5iNYwPH2fqpmq34SeG7Ja61nFoGOCcvcPHscbwFBJBJc1Su3w6vF5UcMGCWM3nxRUreqOOlvJ_j3usdGJbWmQzy2t_RE2yycO6NFqsN/w300-h400/IMG_20220929_192434.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Eme Ofemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225960125936169029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741486472459034934.post-55684333195922305772022-09-23T12:44:00.002-07:002022-09-24T03:15:22.329-07:00Leftovers<p>Cleaning my fridge out is always a memorable adventure. I start out with the intent of clearing every compartment of things I would like to trash and end up achieving not only a clean refrigerator but also an ambrosial meal.</p><p>After a while of shopping and stocking, I often find it necessary to clear the refrigerator of any existing food and groceries before restocking. This cleaning is easier when the items remaining in the fridge are already made food and drinks, I could easily find people to share that with. However, when those items are groceries, it becomes a bit demanding. </p><p>As a person who is completely anti-wastage, I try to ensure that I am only thrashing what is unfit and utilizing anything that appears even slightly useful so long as it doesn't comprise in quality. Of course, my easiest way of making those groceries useful is by cooking but achieving a nice meal with random leftovers can be a serious assignment. Since I'm bent on not wasting, I must come up with a way of making something good of those items.</p><p>One particular day, I cleared my refrigerator and found these bits of leftovers: A cup of frozen mixed veggies, two sticks of chicken sausage, about 100g of steamed prawns and 3 scotch bonnet peppers. Luckily for me, the quickest meal to make with these sort of items is fried rice and I went on to do that.</p><p>In no time, I washed two cups of rice, placed it on heat and because I had no broth, I seasoned the rice sufficiently with curry, thyme, cayenne pepper, ginger powder, salt, stock cubes and a bit of olive oil then allowed it to steam until the rice was tender. The sausage and peppers were minced and stir-fried with the prawns and mixed veggies. Then in a large skillet drizzled with melted margerine, I sauteed some diced onions, poured in the rice and stir-fried mixture, tossing gently to allow both integrate properly. </p><p>That was how I landed with a beautiful pot of Nigerian Fried Rice. My leftover groceries would have been trashed if I could not reinvent them into a thirsty dish. Although I enjoyed the process of making this food and especially the colourful result, my mind could not help but reflect on the majority of persons whose lives have been sent to the trash because they could not be revamped.</p><p>Many men and women, young and old have suffered a lot of things in life and have been pressed by choices that left their lives wasted. Some have been broken by the society and shattered by relationships that squandred their potentials and trivilized their big dreams. In our world today, we have persons who have been hurt and still hurting from all sorts of abuses and many have been left to carry the form of the things they have suffered.</p><p>A lot of these ones have received negative labels and are already discarded even while they are still alive. But alas, our maker is a God who likens Himself to a potter and is beyond able to make a marred clay into a desired vessel. As clay is, in the hands of a potter, so are these ones in His hand (Jeremiah 18:6).</p><p>Have you been hurt, broken or abused? Have you suffered loses, wounds and weariness? Have you been considered an item for the bin and not shown any real sense of value or worth? Is your mind burdened from all you have gone through and still experiencing in life? Do you feel out of purpose like those items that lurked in my fridge? Then come, this Great Potter wants to put you back together again.</p><p>He's not asking for a useful you, He can do an incredible lot with scraps. Unlike the groceries in my fridge, the life of man has eternal value and no matter how long it has spent in the refrigerator of this world, The Lord can make it into something great. Every one, no matter how shattered, imperfect, and near waste they come off remain pliable in the hands of God. The fragments of your life is a potential masterpiece in the nail peirced hands of Christ. </p><p>Christ Jesus has offered an invitation to everyone who is perhaps like leftover grocery. He said in Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me all of you who are weary, broken and tired from the heavy burden you carry. I will refresh your life no matter how long you've been kept in the dregs. Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment, taste, purpose and rest in me. For all that I require of you will be pleasant and easy to bear.”</p><p>In Christ were all things made and in Him, all things are made new, revived, refreshed and reinvented; the captive of the mighty can be taken away and the prey of the terrible, delivered; leftovers and crumbs can be made into something delightful. Even if you are worm, like those tiny maggots that are seen in spoilt grocery, Jesus can make of you a sharp threshing instrument (Isaiah 41:14-15). </p><p>All you have to do is come to Him. If human cooks can transform ordinary leftovers into a great meal, think more of what Jesus can make out of a life surrendered to Him no matter how unseemly that life may be.</p><p>Peace!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia1nYjmVVmVlk-FD7JV_pBvmlvzfv_S2S9b21hK5NXpjmPSSR2Zvs5Rf_W50fy6_a3xp1xu6OLkfQ-FNUjGZDIOmFk2IQZCj_vqIveXL2FG5EcKzJImT7Beee8xhWGzGoqzlq2I4eAwCwk3h_2M4QExImaJqsTgK0jVwBSNi4H3qlgstwV_FghhPQc/s3136/IMG_20220902_224456_edit_28236893288399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3136" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia1nYjmVVmVlk-FD7JV_pBvmlvzfv_S2S9b21hK5NXpjmPSSR2Zvs5Rf_W50fy6_a3xp1xu6OLkfQ-FNUjGZDIOmFk2IQZCj_vqIveXL2FG5EcKzJImT7Beee8xhWGzGoqzlq2I4eAwCwk3h_2M4QExImaJqsTgK0jVwBSNi4H3qlgstwV_FghhPQc/w383-h400/IMG_20220902_224456_edit_28236893288399.jpg" width="383" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Eme Ofemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225960125936169029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741486472459034934.post-30347707653980537392022-09-16T12:56:00.001-07:002022-09-16T21:47:25.694-07:00Banana Bread<p>There is always this bit of confusion whenever I send someone a piece of snack calling it bread yet it taste and looks to them like cake. Banana bread is one of such offers that returns to me with a thank you note reading "the cake was yummy" when in fact what I sent out was christened "bread". </p><p>While the distinguishing line between banana cake and bread is almost invisible by most consumers, for a good number of recipes, the deciding factor on whether it is a cake or bread depends on the baker. In some cases, the only arguable difference is the bread version uses all purpose flour or wheat flour making it dense and satisfying while the cake version uses cake flour and sometimes sour cream to make the texture light and airy.</p><p>Whenever I bake, the first question I am confronted with by those around is "what is this?". Due to wrong guesses in the past, many who receive my baked product, call with the question, "what is the name of this thing?". Sometimes, I wonder why they always want to have a name?, is it really worth calling me up to ask?, Why worry so much about what it is called? "Just eat it and enjoy" is often my final answer.</p><p>Interestingly, the debate over what a meal is called did not start today. During the exodus from Egypt to Cannan, the Isrealites were confronted with the same dilemma. "What is it?" they asked each other when they saw the round flake like substance all around their camp (Exodus 16:15). </p><p>This question got to their leader Moses, and I expected him to respond as most bakers would by giving it a direct name like "flaky wafers" or "frosty bread" but his response was a whole sentence. "This is the bread which the Lord has given you to eat", he went further to add, "The Lord says, each of you should gather what you need, a basket of manna for everyone in your family."Exodus 16:16. Moses unwittingly in that response, revealed what our attitude should be towards food- Food is a gift from God, it must not be wasted and should be shared by everyone.</p><p>Every food that arrives your plate be it an appetizer, main dish or dessert or whether considered as balanced diet or not is a gift from a Loving Father. Looking at the Genesis account of creation, have you ever wondered what was there about a garden that made it man's first abode? It was because of food. God's first tangible gift to creation was food (Gen. 1:29). When we receive food as a gift from God, we unconsciously unlock the nourishment stored in that food for our bodies and express gratitude to a God who has given us, not only the Bread of life - Jesus, but also graciously provides our daily bread. </p><p>Food, like every good and perfect gift that comes from above must not be wasted. The Isrealites were allowed to gather so much only in accordnace to their need. The man who gathered much had no left overs and the one who gathered little had no lack (Exodus 16:17-18). If we applied this approach, maybe the estimated 1.3 billion tonnes of food wasted annually would not exist. Overfeeding and gluttony will be a thing of the past if we all adjust to having in our pots and plates the amount of food we truly need.</p><p>In the Gospel according to John 6:5-11, Jesus was said to have fed 5,000 men but on a closer look, the real story is, a young boy shared his lunch with 5,000 men besides women and children. How amazing to know what miracles the food we share can provoke. Upon hearing the question from Jesus "where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?" a young boy showed up with his snacks and was willing to share it. I imagine Andrew was possibly jesting when he asked "what is five barley loaves and two small fishes among so many?". Like Andrew, the persepctive we lack is, the little we share can go a long way to salvage others. It has been estimated that in every minute about 11 people die from hunger and malnutrition- 11 persons we perhaps can save if we share our food with them.</p><p>In reality, worrying about the name of food is not as important as your attitude towards food. Ofcourse, it is morally right for you to know what food you consume but what would have a greater impact on you and those around you is how you treat every food that comes your way be it raw or cooked, home made or store bought, vegan or not and bearing in mind the admonition of 1 Corinthians 10:31 to eat, drink, and do everything to the glory of God.</p><p>As humans, we do not have the innate tendency to eat, drink or do things to the glory of God. This is why Jesus Christ, the true bread from heaven was given. I encourage you to come to Him and learn, not the forced rhythm of life, but the way and the method to living a life that glorifies God even with food. </p><p>You can attempt this banana bread recipe. It is super easy to make and I'm certain you'll find you don't need to be a master baker to ace this one. To prepare you need:</p><p>1.5 cup of mashed ripe bananas </p><p>113 grams of melted butter or margarine </p><p>135 grams of granulated sugar </p><p>2 large eggs </p><p>1 teaspoon of vanilla extract </p><p>2 cups of all purpose flour </p><p>1 teaspoon of baking soda </p><p>1/2 teaspoon of baking powder </p><p>1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg </p><p>1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon </p><p>1/4 teaspoon of salt </p><p>2 tablespoons of chocolate chips</p><p><b>METHOD</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 180°C.</li><li>Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan and line with baking paper or dust off with flour.</li><li>Mix all the ingredients thoroughly in a bowl using a paddle or a hand held mixer on low speed for about 2-3 minutes.</li><li>Scrape the batter into the prepared pan, smooth the top, then tap the pan to pop any air pockets.</li><li>Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 40-50 minutes.</li><li>Allow to cool in the pan for some minutes, run a knife around the sides, then invert it onto a rack.</li><li>Give thanks, have a slice of it, brew a cup of tea and remember to share with others.</li></ul><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhpsOrgrM0pWNel3-9eLGcC_ghL9IQywMH7Fdg0C3PxdmvGxshtugqCipiqqVLtF7gXM7jyd6gseXytl-l4u4CVftPEARr8F06k8fjrXwwr_EuulSXjkFxzvMMl9i2VbLIkZ6mZWKlgqBkKH3DSfAmcAMYKcTsQsSZ6j2uZjQdysWDqOYoHzc4fq1/s3229/IMG_20220826_223909_edit_156785584300033.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3229" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhpsOrgrM0pWNel3-9eLGcC_ghL9IQywMH7Fdg0C3PxdmvGxshtugqCipiqqVLtF7gXM7jyd6gseXytl-l4u4CVftPEARr8F06k8fjrXwwr_EuulSXjkFxzvMMl9i2VbLIkZ6mZWKlgqBkKH3DSfAmcAMYKcTsQsSZ6j2uZjQdysWDqOYoHzc4fq1/w371-h400/IMG_20220826_223909_edit_156785584300033.jpg" width="371" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Eme Ofemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225960125936169029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741486472459034934.post-51302978301186643282022-09-09T11:42:00.001-07:002022-09-09T11:45:57.164-07:00The Marinade<p>A marinade is a seasoned, often acidic mixture in which food is steeped or soaked, usually to flavor and prepare it for cooking. This can be done by allowing something to absorb the sauce or flavored mixture.</p><p>Usually, chicken gives off a better flavour if marinated first before it undergoes any form of cooking. The longer the time spent in the marinade, the more potent the flavouring and deeper the taste of the chicken becomes. The concentrated flavours of the spices releases the umami of the chicken, giving every bite a piquant taste.</p><p>Whenever I want to prepare chicken, I focus more on the marinade, if I can get the marinade right, I've gotten the taste of the chicken right. No matter how well bred any chicken is, it has an ordour that can only be shushed when marinated in the right condiments. A piece of chicken would be bland and lacking in aroma if not steeped into a marinade and allowed enough time to soak in all the flavors.</p><p>To prepare a chicken marinade for peppered-chicken, my foundational condiments are a blend of assorted peppers like habanero, scotch bonnet and bell peppers, onions, ginger, garlic, boulion cubes, lemon juice, ground spices, few spoons of olive oil and salt. Although the ingredients change depending on the taste aimed for, but as a rule of thumb, the chicken must sit in the marinade for a time commensurate with its size. No peice of chicken and in fact every type of meat went from farm to plate without undergoing a process that seasons it.</p><p>Likewise mankind, despite the breeding we have received through upbringing, education, civilisation, religion and personal values, our lives are still lacking in taste without Jesus. Jesus Christ is the marinade that releases the flavours in a person's life. Unlike a chicken marinade that requires reinforcements after long hours to sustain its initial taste, Jesus is so divine, alive and active that whenever we taste, we see He is good. The condiment that makes Jesus such an effective marinade is His word, which is why the Scriptures recommend the word of Christ to dwell in us richly.</p><p>We are all in need of a flavour-ful life, we desire the fragrance of a life full of purpose and great success. In fact, many of us have thought of ways to keep our lives clean and focused on the attainments we want. The psalmist had the same need, he was young and considered means of having an accomplished life. His findings came to a realization in Psalm 119:9,11 "How can a young man live a clean, fragarant, purposeful life? It is by taking heed according to your word... Your word have I soaked into my heart, that I might not sin (loose my tastiness)..."</p><p>Our cleansing from sin and sanctification is made possible by the word of God (Jesus). It is an unfortunate thing when a life has not experienced this robust seasoning found only in Jesus, such a life is devoid of satisfaction. It may appear big and thriving but a bite into it both by the same person or by others around will reveal how bland and unappetizing it really is.</p><p>Dear reader, our lives can only carry the fragrance of Christ when we commit ourselves to soaking Him in through His word. The longer our heart sips in the word of Christ, the tastier our life becomes. If the only time we get to douse in the word of Christ is limited to Sunday Church gatherings or random messages, you will never get tasty enough for this life and for eternity. </p><p>Lately, I marinated some chicken, got it deep fried then progressed to make peppered-chicken with it. I could taste the spiciness of the marinade in the bone marrow of the chicken. This scrumptious chicken was paired with some oven roasted sweet potatoes and enjoyed as dinner. </p><p>Like that piece of chicken massaged into a marinade, allow your heart to be penetrated by the word of God. For the word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword or chicken marinade. It cuts all the way through, to where soul and spirit meet, to where joints and marrow come together and it judges the desires and thoughts of the heart. It is to your advantage to be seasoned with Him, for only Jesus can guarantee a tasty life in this time and in the time to come.</p><p>Please get in touch with Jesus, become more acquainted with Him. Make Him your marinade, He is the seasoning that will not leave your life tasting the same.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ceZmzDGDe8TLBsHQkevyZKz4491kHVPTrDzqbO8xPotCdOvYTE7rSXF9RJ_ozZug4mjsCtKuMFClODHOGh7rD4KUNu9HJM15ji42phR2QPWKp32pMPEmrsGhWE-Fx93CWkeRMcqQL7_xXedAEjAQ_zUwhJjXOjT0tmMKVnxmkZCvD0SpGYLxh6Vn/s4000/IMG_20220824_215150.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ceZmzDGDe8TLBsHQkevyZKz4491kHVPTrDzqbO8xPotCdOvYTE7rSXF9RJ_ozZug4mjsCtKuMFClODHOGh7rD4KUNu9HJM15ji42phR2QPWKp32pMPEmrsGhWE-Fx93CWkeRMcqQL7_xXedAEjAQ_zUwhJjXOjT0tmMKVnxmkZCvD0SpGYLxh6Vn/w300-h400/IMG_20220824_215150.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Eme Ofemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225960125936169029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741486472459034934.post-18343671885247541392022-09-02T06:02:00.002-07:002022-09-02T06:02:19.147-07:00Rice Gospel<div><div>Rice, in many cultures and cuisines is regarded as an essential food and versatile to work into a menu whether as an appetizer, main course or dessert. With an estimate of about 40,000 varieties and thousands of dishes across the globe, rice can be described as the "tabula rasa" of food: a clean slate for the manipulation of the Chef into whatever meal is desired. One notable thing about every rice dish and perhaps every other type of food is the fact that these dishes are named after the point of origin, ingredient used or method applied in cooking.</div><div><br /></div><div>This explains why a restaurant can only correctly address the type of rice on its menu by referring to the rice with respect to its origin (e.g jollof rice), ingredient used (e.g coconut rice) or cooking method applied (e.g fried rice). In some cases, the ingredient used and the method of cooking are fused to form the name of the rice dish like "Asun Fried Rice"</div><div><br /></div><div>I made Asun Fried Rice recently; to make this rice dish, asun (roasted spicy goat meat cuts) is first prepared then combined with vegetables and rice that has been boiled preferably in goat meat stock. This mixture is given a good stir over heat making it impossible to scoop any portion of rice not smelling, tasting like and accompanied by asun. </div><div><br /></div><div>Making this meal made me understand better what it means to be born again. </div><div>Just like rice cooked with asun or any sort of ingredient, any man who comes to Christ has been cooked with Him. The Bible speaking in Romans 6:4 says</div><div>"By our baptism, then, we were buried (ingrafted, cooked in) with him and shared his death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from death by the glorious power of the Father, so also we might live a new life.</div><div><br /></div><div>We took up a new nature from our merger with Christ: just like plain rice ingrafted into ingredients, become a whole new meal and is called by a name that ties its identity to that mixture, same is the case of any man that comes to Jesus. Such a man becomes new, for it is written "if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ, he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17.</div><div><br /></div><div>The description of any life cooked with Christ is "Newness", our old labels have been rendered useless. For the mere fact of being soaked into Christ, we are new. By the reason of our identification in Jesus by making our abode in Him through his death and resurrection, you are NEW. You should not be identified outside of the newness which is binding on you because of the ingredient "Jesus Christ". </div><div><br /></div><div>Because of this newness, we are ambassadors for Christ and God is pleading to the world through us. This newness and freshness we've received is not merely for ourselves, it is so we can implore others on behalf of Christ to be reconciled to God.</div><div><br /></div><div>Dear Reader, today I urge you, be reconciled to God. Regardless of your moral standing and spiritual position, there is freshness available for you in Christ Jesus. Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation.</div><div>You've been your old self for such a long time, please have a taste of something new.</div><div>As rice is more satisfying when combined even so is life, if in Christ Jesus.</div><div><br /></div><div>Peace🙏</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7pLcp24_9s2dkiQq6BC7mUkJ5LBMY9tG6DnNwjpxMQUYvxXcVzvWwGf3VekBezGTpDF5x2fDgGgeS-3GqnrLGd4uACM_Lp9PHd2wMpGWrBFwMjSV4TcOeWoQXuxwCLQJ6gSAO9nTze1O1jLeiHMoE_42Tu2B6c1C6WMBo6-Ii4CKr7EkDewjIiz4c/s4000/IMG_20220824_205706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7pLcp24_9s2dkiQq6BC7mUkJ5LBMY9tG6DnNwjpxMQUYvxXcVzvWwGf3VekBezGTpDF5x2fDgGgeS-3GqnrLGd4uACM_Lp9PHd2wMpGWrBFwMjSV4TcOeWoQXuxwCLQJ6gSAO9nTze1O1jLeiHMoE_42Tu2B6c1C6WMBo6-Ii4CKr7EkDewjIiz4c/w400-h300/IMG_20220824_205706.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Eme Ofemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225960125936169029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741486472459034934.post-59312444262547623172022-08-22T01:09:00.000-07:002022-08-22T01:09:30.764-07:00Today's Motivation<p>The first cheesecake I ever made was a flop. It was over baked because I wasn't sure of my oven's temperature and the exact texture of what a perfectly baked cheesecake should be. Two days to this trial, I had just tasted cheesecake for the first time. </p><p>I was in the gym running on the treadmill when my phone rang and that call was an invitation to eat cheesecake. Considering I was exercising and have a fair knowledge of the amount of calories in a serving of cheese cake, you would expect I'd say no but I agreed to have just a little slice of cheesecake at the venue and take home the remaining piece for another day.. brilliant right?😁</p><p>Well, I made an attempt to bake this delicate cake and although my creation had a little resemblance in looks, it lacked the taste and texture of a cheesecake. This review came from a friend who has had so much cheesecake in life and could tell from tasting what was not a good cheesecake. I was quite dampened by this appraisal that I lost my zeal momentarily. Hardly have I baked anything that wasn't a delight to my critic's tastebuds and this was a bad exception.</p><p>The following week, after mourning my poor attempt, I identified the reasons that led to my over baked cheesecake, bought the needed equipment and increased my proficiency of cheesecake through regular baking experiments. My next submission received a better review and that was even a greater spur to keep practising. Today, I'm not exactly where I want to be in my cheesecake baking but I'm no where near my starting point.</p><p>Funny enough, this is the differentiating line between a person who likes baking and another who wants to be a great baker. Someone once said that "what turns baking wannabes into real bakers is stick-to-it-ivity". Not only for baking, it appears the only shortcut to excellence in any skill is consistent practice. No matter how talented one may be, "hard work will always beat talent when talent fails to work hard". </p><p>Any interest not backed up with hardwork and consistent practice is a mere fantasy. Throughout human existence, quantity has been a proven track to quality, the more you do a thing, the better you become at it. Knowledge alone will not make us experts if practice is removed. Our knowledge can only become skillful when we engage it through delibrate actions.</p><p>Ofcourse, regular practice does not exempt failure, if it did, complacency would not be an issue. Hard work however, betters our chances at winning and improves our thinking when met with failure. Your hardwork can not be excused even on the grounds of failure. Generally, in food preparation, many good recipes and techniques were unintended and born from failure to achieve the desired goal. Perhaps if we practice more, we would invent more.</p><p>The hard work we put in today in pursuit of our passions would yield results if we remain consistent against the odds. Let us choose to be deliberate in training our knowledge, practice more, resist complacency and even if we fail, shake ourselves from the dust, arise, reevaluate our strategy and get back to work in a smarter way.</p><p>PS: The photos below are my recent cheesecake (top image) and first cheesecake (image below). The journey continues!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMoyvqnZLWPAII6_IcymcfNqiqKWfJ-Fh-hgn-Tpy8NURyokTmXZAOzzzLchAotc0ZSpfn5ZZwySh3j8-jhZ1muXdphEQuh3J16TqN31VUPsfcFaxuHcInTZBWG7jwBECLV3KuRqn5PRXYNAxJLZqCQFtM5DK6tcDWMHANv6vJVVc-hdZz6Ib3DGP/s3313/IMG_20220822_084627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2807" data-original-width="3313" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMoyvqnZLWPAII6_IcymcfNqiqKWfJ-Fh-hgn-Tpy8NURyokTmXZAOzzzLchAotc0ZSpfn5ZZwySh3j8-jhZ1muXdphEQuh3J16TqN31VUPsfcFaxuHcInTZBWG7jwBECLV3KuRqn5PRXYNAxJLZqCQFtM5DK6tcDWMHANv6vJVVc-hdZz6Ib3DGP/w400-h339/IMG_20220822_084627.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3x3jK_LtTvJ0hkCc5F8Rus1bCWXeX6SBeF5_2qlvN_rvVXvJqO3-QOu90lTpndM4Yuf7_AKVtJsyY76WDhVyk9wfCwEnbcjmLeS3NSZDyC8fqHb8QcjuQKJl5cwmn021kdceYcle1E6BF5SMuZqtCpUn_xNNd8gkhYWdUr47ess-QtFz0GjmTuaHJ/s3707/IMG_20220822_084654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2225" data-original-width="3707" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3x3jK_LtTvJ0hkCc5F8Rus1bCWXeX6SBeF5_2qlvN_rvVXvJqO3-QOu90lTpndM4Yuf7_AKVtJsyY76WDhVyk9wfCwEnbcjmLeS3NSZDyC8fqHb8QcjuQKJl5cwmn021kdceYcle1E6BF5SMuZqtCpUn_xNNd8gkhYWdUr47ess-QtFz0GjmTuaHJ/w400-h240/IMG_20220822_084654.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Eme Ofemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225960125936169029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741486472459034934.post-38268228792970352562022-08-14T01:57:00.012-07:002022-08-15T14:18:54.525-07:00Bushmeat<p>Bushmeats are generally meat of game from wildlife species and due to a lot of factors including increased hunting, many of the animal species used as bushmeat are extinct or becoming extinct. Subsequently, humans have been advised to only consume animals in the wild not considered endangered and one of such animals is the grasscutter.</p><p>Grasscutters (Thryonomys swinderianus) has been a well enjoyed meat of game for decades and considered a delectable treat due to it's high nutrition profile. In the nearest future with adequate research, grasscutter should be reared domestically to meet it's ever increasing consumption demands and to boost economic returns. Due to the abundance of this animal in the dense cane-like grasses of southern Nigeria, many locals including myself have made this large rodent their "bushmeat" of choice, then something happened...</p><p>The outbreak of Ebola virus in Nigeria came with an excessive fall in the price of our choice bushmeat. Our premium bushmeat became ridiculously cheap as hunters reduced the charge for their game to attract buyers. Local restaurants whose specialty included dried grasscutter suffered poor patronage and some who could not evolve went out of business. This bushmeat resentment happened because in sensitizing the public about the Ebola virus, mainstream media advised against the eating of bushmeat as they were possible vectors of the virus.</p><p>As a child who grew up living across a bushmeat joint and later shared the same compound with one, I saw first hand the effect of this spite on our beloved grasscutter game. The usually crowded bars with a long list of orders drastically reduced and the few faithfuls called Ebola a foreign disease that would never have been in Nigeria if Patrick Sawyer never visited. Almost every evening, I would hear them arguing amongst themselves, if complete abstinence from bushmeat was a better solution to careful handling of it.</p><p>Ebola did not only affect the consumption of this rodent, it also affected common sense. At one point, a good number of the population had a salt bath and drink in the night to prevent contracting the virus😂. It was such a great relief when WHO (World Health Organization) declared Nigeria Ebola free. Soon enough, I saw people gathered at bushmeat joints to celebrate the country's victory and to appreciate the selflessness of the health officers who battled at the frontlines against the spread of this killer virus. The joy was massive, bushmeat sales and cuisines picked up, the height of celebration around me got me wondering if bushmeat had stopped being a vector of the Ebola virus.</p><p>In the months that followed, more sensitization was given in urban and rural communities: regular handwashing was emphasised; hunters and local traders were advised not to use grasscutters that were sick or found dead as they could be infected; killed games were to be roasted thoroughly and before consumption must be washed and cooked appropriately. My family was pleased with this set of advice and we went back to the dried grasscutter meals we enjoyed, adhering to the handling guidelines provided by health officers. My mum even went the extra mile of roasting the meat again before using it to cook.. typical behavior right?</p><p>One of my family's favorite delicacy was our choice bushmeat sauce. Whenever we wanted to bond as a family to share special news and crack silly jokes, bushmeat sauce was the dinner. When my dad felt like eating something different from what the rest of us were having, he'd send one of his children to buy this bushmeat sauce from the neighbor selling next door and based on good behaviour, one of us would get the golden opportunity of finishing his leftovers.</p><p>To prepare this bushmeat sauce according to my family's style, you will need:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Cleaned dried grasscutter as bushmeat</li><li>Seasoning cubes, salt and dry pepper</li><li>Palm oil</li><li>Sliced Onions</li><li>Coarsely grounded fresh peppers</li><li>Chopped Scent leafs</li><li>Chopped pumpkin leafs</li></ul><p></p><p>In a pot, season the bushmeat to your desired taste, add some water and boil until it is tender. Add in a sufficient amount of palm oil and cook for a while. You can season it a bit more if necessary then add the sliced onions, coarsely grounded fresh pepper and chopped leaves squeezing out the moisture from the leaves before adding it to the pot. Stirring gently, allow to cook for few seconds before putting off the heat.</p><p>Typically, this sauce can be made using just scent leaf but that always feels dry and requires more palm oil for it to be enjoyed. The pumpkin leaf in this recipe improves the texture of the sauce and is used in a ratio of 2:1 that is two parts of scent leaf to one part of pumpkin leaf.</p><p>Boiled plantain is the regular companion to this sauce, as a matter of fact, a particular route in my town became a tourist site because of the abundance of bushmeat and plantain joints located within that stretch of the road. You can choose whatever alternative you prefer to go with this sauce but as for me and my household, we would stick to boiled ripe plantian. ☺️</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpE-8u6q8Z0wvIy20uuT8gQoYbpyj71vPoSy9foncE4rRwZakcyd4O4OhmYNVFe-wkNQlDc24Px-lHCh-6CwZ3l4Gr4eW8OabzFTuLp-metcXMiAzzm_9mEhHAC3qD7IibjiZv08M_3fmUAoLylfg1e8_B8ryCPURiLpHNgWS8-L_RQuaTWKQgMpES/s4000/IMG_20220721_183705.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpE-8u6q8Z0wvIy20uuT8gQoYbpyj71vPoSy9foncE4rRwZakcyd4O4OhmYNVFe-wkNQlDc24Px-lHCh-6CwZ3l4Gr4eW8OabzFTuLp-metcXMiAzzm_9mEhHAC3qD7IibjiZv08M_3fmUAoLylfg1e8_B8ryCPURiLpHNgWS8-L_RQuaTWKQgMpES/w400-h300/IMG_20220721_183705.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxO4lWUEjT86iH9pCNvspWI-vgTlZAV87f_HXHr4Noht1X5EQMuRBuTWVQRwyM4bedZ-lQ55JLTyIvLPkt52GBtsPppLyBdM0EfgXRhKlVF3rtEtzdTXcRwxHn86_1ZWMZ1x2VANqZ52PVtp_2PxZSSmYSzhMo7rBvBRkT-mKnvt2UeKp41M-zlko/s4000/IMG_20220720_193108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxO4lWUEjT86iH9pCNvspWI-vgTlZAV87f_HXHr4Noht1X5EQMuRBuTWVQRwyM4bedZ-lQ55JLTyIvLPkt52GBtsPppLyBdM0EfgXRhKlVF3rtEtzdTXcRwxHn86_1ZWMZ1x2VANqZ52PVtp_2PxZSSmYSzhMo7rBvBRkT-mKnvt2UeKp41M-zlko/w300-h400/IMG_20220720_193108.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Eme Ofemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225960125936169029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741486472459034934.post-82290359168385932862022-07-31T12:24:00.002-07:002022-07-31T13:02:20.285-07:00Passion<p>It has not been many generations since cooking became a form of leisure. Before now, cooking was not a typical go to when in need of entertainment, education and inspiration. Today, lots of food shows are organized and the viewers are engrossed not just from the scintillating imagination of what is cooking but from the relaxation of watching, reading and sometimes reminiscing on the taste of what is being prepared in these shows.</p><p>Personally, I enjoy watching cooking shows and competition. I know football fans would disagree, but what else beats the excitement, suspense, rush, panic, thrill and anticipation of any cooking? Although the anxiety sometimes increases my pulse and causes frantic sweating, it leaves me entertained and amused and the laughter at the mere thought of being so restless because something is cooking is pure joy. </p><p>Likewise has been my cooking experience, I enjoy myself a lot when it comes to preparing food. Imagine me, exhausted, languid, jaded with my body physically yearning for sleep yet I would get in to an apron to experiment recipes, prep ingredients, cook and drown myself in kitchen activities. I seldom believe in determination but whenever I get to put myself up to the challenge of cooking anything no matter how many times I've done it before, I prove there is indeed determination and I am capable of it.</p><p>Eventually doing what we love makes us givers more than receivers and before we realise it, we become like beacons to others, telling them about our niche, exposing the truths, debunking the myths and relating our passion to real-life experiences.</p><p>There is a room for expression doing something you love provides you. I find it easier to express love when the means of communication is edible and saporific. Often, I've prepared food not because I like it so much but because someone I love desires to eat that particular food and I feel constrained by love to make it for them. Meals like Ofada rice and sauce perhaps will never be on my menu but for love: love for the consumer(s) and for cooking.</p><p>Cooking has changed me in a lot of ways and when I say cooking, I am referring to the different methods of preparing food which includes but not limited to baking, boiling, braising, broiling, frying, grilling, roasting, sauteing, searing, simmering, smoking and steaming. To be honest, I've learnt and developed patience from the time I've spent waiting for beans to be soft and for meat to be tender. Even recently, I learnt from making Ofada sauce, how to strike a balance. That is why it is possible to cook an all-pepper sauce perfectly fused with heat and sweetness. The sapidity of this sauce was so great that for a moment, I forgot most of the base ingredients were red peppers.</p><p>What is my goal in all of this? To be another cooking aficionado or a foodaholic? No, my goal is just to do something I love in a way that adds lasting value to others. Of course, I would like to be identified with food and personally develop a deeper understanding of my passion but what I want more is to be always generous with the experience, taste, and knowledge of cooking with my wonderful audience - You.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ZAL2x9ly6Iczpb_U5zA7kv9GGyLPkOVNOY_rFTF20s95UpYOhF0YsyM2HaAC_fzFvgEwp57iAq-qW6eWwMxHAxXc940yvx_a_2o3U3BBZtzvPXfshAM9jlkB3wMMUQD0L1uNxrNRGgdqQlnDIW7KJgM5o3WZrU0o3zAEsS_buplVmkx2o06d3tCD/s1365/Screenshot_20220617_113957_com.everimaging.photoeffectstudio_edit_29351205883020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="897" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ZAL2x9ly6Iczpb_U5zA7kv9GGyLPkOVNOY_rFTF20s95UpYOhF0YsyM2HaAC_fzFvgEwp57iAq-qW6eWwMxHAxXc940yvx_a_2o3U3BBZtzvPXfshAM9jlkB3wMMUQD0L1uNxrNRGgdqQlnDIW7KJgM5o3WZrU0o3zAEsS_buplVmkx2o06d3tCD/w263-h400/Screenshot_20220617_113957_com.everimaging.photoeffectstudio_edit_29351205883020.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Eme Ofemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225960125936169029noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741486472459034934.post-4678268706734298212022-07-27T03:26:00.005-07:002022-07-28T00:06:32.931-07:00Intentional 2<div>Welcome to another intentional cooking trip, this time Ekpang is still a culprit but this particular Ekpang is popularly known as "Ekpang Nkukwo" or in my translation "Cocoa Yam Pudding".</div><div>If you are here, it is my belief that you've seen the first part of this blog post <b><i>"<a href="https://emezkitchenexperience.blogspot.com/2022/07/intentional-1.html" target="_blank">Intentional 1</a>" </i></b> (<<link in bold italics).</div><div><br /></div><div>My mother should be considered a champion of cooking demanding meals. She has been quite comfortable with the stress that the long hours required has never felt like a matter to her and neither should it be to anyone else staying under her roof.</div><div>It was with this mindset my mum would announce after our morning devotion that Ekpang Nkukwo will be the meal of the day and if we are hungry enough all hands should be on deck to prepare, cook and still have it as breakfast.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, if you are in any way familiar with the rigours of making Ekpang Nkukwo, you would realize my mother was setting our home up for a challenging task and who were we to question an African mother's decision. We obeyed with grumbling thoughts and gentle mumurs so she wouldn't disqualify us from partaking when the meal was ready.</div><div><br /></div><div>Immediately, the meal task was shared, everyone had a part to deliver in a timely manner if we were indeed going to have this meal for breakfast. Dad did the shopping, Mum the peeling and fine grating of the cocoa and water yam, my sisters were in charge of prepping the assorted proteins and cutting the periwinkles that would be used and I would be in charge of shreading the leaves and wrapping with any other person available to assist.</div><div><br /></div><div>This had been the pattern for years and because of the large quantity we cooked, we never made it on time to have Ekpang Nkukwo for breakfast yet we hardly had any leftovers for the next day. So technically, we would spend our whole day making breakfast that will be eaten sometime later in the afternoon🤦.</div><div><br /></div><div>The thing with Ekpang Nkukwo is, every step of the preparation and coking process is delibrate. Each morsel is wrapped individually and arranged systematically in the pot. Every layer is separated with periwinkles and the prepared proteins from base to top. The cocoa yam must be wrapped in tiny bits until the whole batch is finished and when cooking one must stir gently to avoid scattering the wraps.</div><div><br /></div><div>Like its name implies, Ekpang Nkukwo is wrapped using "nkukwo" (cocoa yam leaves) but the type of cocoa yam leaves used must be the freshly budding or almost dying type to avoid itching. However, since this type of leaf is scarce to find, potato, pumpkin and spinach leaves have become close alternatives to the original cocoa yam leaves.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sometime in the year 2018, I represented a group in a Cooking Competition organized by Knorr Seasoning Cube at Lagos, Nigeria. To my delight Ekpang Nkukwo was the meal to be made within forty-five (45) minutes and every competitor was assigned a helper. Arrr!!! my adrenalin surged as I looked at the ingredients set before me with the little time I had to deliver a sweet tasting, beautifully wrapped ekpang nkukwo. </div><div><br /></div><div>Quickly, I recalled my mothers approach to this food and engaged her mindset. One of her ekpang cooking tricks which gave me an edge over my rivals is to "allow the pot steam a while on low heat without adding any water". This makes the ekpang solidify using the vapour generated inside the pot and when the ekpang is firm from her moisture, I can then add water in bits until it is ready.</div><div><br /></div><div>My competitors of course were very acquainted with the general hot water method of cooking this meal but my technique was more time-effective and result oriented. The judges had a field day tasting our meals and from the way they devoured my creation, your guess is as good as mine... I was declared the winner of the competition ☺️.</div><div><br /></div><div>I wish it was those type of competitions where the winner got a car or heavy duty equipment but it did not matter, I was happy all the same for the frying pan I won and even more grateful for all the years I spent cooking with my mother.</div><div><br /></div><div>Occasionally, I still attempt to make so much Ekpang Nkukwo for breakfast. I guess the more challenging the intention is, the sweeter the reward feels.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-K53I5fBxgcKL2d3YKtdeIfsQYeqyL3XJ97lRZwzSzCzjvUzoW_72WzHt0ofZ25ZLF5CC3ybkr26rKadswynDqhRdFlA_bQumcraJh99V53Z8V1zV04uPDbJV155E23lE2l0kGS4bifsV2GyKN42jOoqjasFkU81NWw--smZuvSPC2TMYkO10YAl/s4000/IMG_20220519_190137.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-K53I5fBxgcKL2d3YKtdeIfsQYeqyL3XJ97lRZwzSzCzjvUzoW_72WzHt0ofZ25ZLF5CC3ybkr26rKadswynDqhRdFlA_bQumcraJh99V53Z8V1zV04uPDbJV155E23lE2l0kGS4bifsV2GyKN42jOoqjasFkU81NWw--smZuvSPC2TMYkO10YAl/w300-h400/IMG_20220519_190137.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Eme Ofemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225960125936169029noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741486472459034934.post-28613700117357164282022-07-27T01:26:00.005-07:002022-07-28T00:06:08.842-07:00Intentional 1<div>Over the years, I've heard it being said repeatedly that some meals are very demanding to make. Someone from my part of Nigeria will quickly agree that you can not make some of our local cuisines without adequate planning. While it may be easy to be spontaneous with some meals, deliberateness is required from shopping to ingredient preparation and cooking of certain foods like the ones I will be sharing in this two part blog post.</div><div><br /></div><div>I spent a good number of my formative years living with my aunt who was a civil servant. Her official routine started at 8:00Hrs to 16:00Hrs every day and she always made it home too exhausted for any sort of serious task like cooking. I was still a pupil and the most we cooked during workdays was spaghetti, rice, and beans. The hectic meals were relegated to the weekend as they required careful shopping and so much preparation time: something we could only afford during the weekend and public holidays.</div><div><br /></div><div>Meals like "Ayang Ekpang" (Cocoa yam swallow) and "Efere Abak" (Palm kernel soup) were only made on those resting days. We considered cooking these meals a form of marathon and like every marathon, we finished sometimes too exhausted to enjoy the delicacy we made. Often, the meal was best enjoyed by those who did not partake in its preparation like lucky visitors and family members who would never go through that stress of cooking but enjoy eating this revered native dish.</div><div><br /></div><div>Despite the long hours it takes to get Ayang Ekpang and Efere Abak ready, I've always enjoyed being a part of the process. Something in me rejoices when I imagine the result my labour of love will produce: a delicate swallow and luscious oily soup. I mean how many persons get to eat the fruit of their labour with such mellow taste?</div><div><br /></div><div>Plantain leaves were the usual wrap for Ayang Ekpang but that has been replaced over the years with Moi-Moi leaves for ease. The plantain leaf wrapping required the edges of the leaf to be heated lightly to withstand folding and sadly, I did not master that technique before it faded out.</div><div><br /></div><div>The leaf used in Efere Abak depends on the individual. Atama or Afang leaf, always works for me and on the days I am lucky to get fleshy palm kernels, one can find me smiling from molar to molar 😁. The trick to a creamy, luscious palm kernel soup is to leave the pot open while cooking and cooling. A closed pot will trap steam and distilled steam alters the taste of this soup.</div><div><br /></div><div>Another weekend is fast approaching, are you going to be intentional about cooking something very time consuming? </div><div>Regardless of what your response is, please roll over to the second part of this blog post <i style="font-weight: bold;">"<a href="https://emezkitchenexperience.blogspot.com/2022/07/intentional-2.html" target="_blank">Intentional 2</a>" </i>(<<link in bold italics).</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbenrddiJg9pRAcP1EJMtquADBcwFnrSSrOrHurAV1L4P5t_BmtXrTQ2l_k0HeuvSzebeOjDXsXecPcSt1Y_V_xxbuk9fkDvhIH5t2GhDCZolj1J0bpOsDaE_Qm2bYoaiWa1FSF7S3qCB02DmSsQBRxPmM4u3jUuXx6UD8ztXQcr3mPWE1lLKJQ2s/s1088/Screenshot_20220607_193159_edit_74339226964697.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1088" data-original-width="1043" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbenrddiJg9pRAcP1EJMtquADBcwFnrSSrOrHurAV1L4P5t_BmtXrTQ2l_k0HeuvSzebeOjDXsXecPcSt1Y_V_xxbuk9fkDvhIH5t2GhDCZolj1J0bpOsDaE_Qm2bYoaiWa1FSF7S3qCB02DmSsQBRxPmM4u3jUuXx6UD8ztXQcr3mPWE1lLKJQ2s/w384-h400/Screenshot_20220607_193159_edit_74339226964697.jpg" width="384" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Eme Ofemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225960125936169029noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741486472459034934.post-16103710016319953562022-07-17T13:30:00.009-07:002022-07-18T02:18:49.817-07:00SharingWith our world becoming more individualistic than ever before, we have trained our reasoning to believe that we are okay on our own, doing the sort of things we like and tending to our personal space all by ourself.<div>Every pusuit kicks off with the question, "what do I stand to gain?", "why should I bother?" and gradually, reward must now be something tangible for it to be of value in our generation.</div><div><br /></div><div>The idea of sharing is known to many by definition but not in actions since we have somehow convinced our minds to think that sharing will make us sorry. Apparently, we've become so self focused that anyone not us has no right to anything from us. We've forgotten so easily that sharing is a time honoured tradition.</div><div><br /></div><div>Right from the beginning, humans were created to share. Everything in our makeup ascribes to the truth that although we are good on our own, we are so much better with each other. A biblical perspective says "it is not good for man to be alone" and even if you disagree with that view, science has proven that the human fabric was designed for community and our potentials are best harnessed when explored with another.</div><div>If we are honest, we would agree that we all desire this bond and sharing is a great way to launch us into the rewards that come with human connection.</div><div><br /></div><div>Often, I had found myself confused about what to share with others before I realized sharing food is always a great way to start. Until we discover a cure to hunger other than eating or find a way to make our bodies regard nutrient as being enough without actually eating then sharing food or maybe just anything edible will always be a great way of getting to know the other person and building some sort of connection.</div><div><br /></div><div>The good thing about sharing food is, it doesn't have to be exotic or expensive. It should only be of a beautiful simplicity, shared with love and consumed with gratitude like my bowl of yam porridge.</div><div><br /></div><div>This yam porridge was prepared with inexpensive items and did not take up to an hour to cook. The other ingredients apart from yam were dried fish, onions, scotch bonnet peppers, palm oil, seasoning cubes, salt and pumpkin leaves. I do not use ground crayfish for my oil based porridge as it makes the oil appear dull and increases its viscosity.</div><div>Sharing this meal over cheerful conversations and hearty laughters made every bite into the yam a lovely memory.</div><div><br /></div><div>Life is beautiful when we are deliberate about being there for one another and sharing our time and resources with each other in valuable ways whether it's simple or complex, cheap or costly, tangible or intangible.</div><div>You probably like yam porridge already, but I bet you will like it even more when you share.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv1lFw66T0fM2RqZLmAvLk-YNccVxOWK4Xli1msFEf8a1Qw4jWE5xkB4tA-jPoM1T5fVUXzvRk3WMoPEaSitw47PRHuRNg9MFEWkGG1IaYEtHp2XY3BTqTjI1e0gZm4-ATeKhU-YmmU3OGMZuFWBWSSOff12z5w5fCXyxUKm3ezLsDkZRl94qJGM1a/s1429/Screenshot_20220608_092800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1429" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv1lFw66T0fM2RqZLmAvLk-YNccVxOWK4Xli1msFEf8a1Qw4jWE5xkB4tA-jPoM1T5fVUXzvRk3WMoPEaSitw47PRHuRNg9MFEWkGG1IaYEtHp2XY3BTqTjI1e0gZm4-ATeKhU-YmmU3OGMZuFWBWSSOff12z5w5fCXyxUKm3ezLsDkZRl94qJGM1a/w303-h400/Screenshot_20220608_092800.jpg" width="303" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Eme Ofemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225960125936169029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741486472459034934.post-70377350814790023752022-06-22T03:57:00.001-07:002022-06-22T04:00:03.296-07:00Calabar Rain<p>Calabar rain, Mtchwee!!!</p><p>That was the frequent sigh on the lips of many persons whenever it started to rain in the beautiful land of my birth. The distress on the faces of those complaining was enough to tell you, a thousand and one plans were going to be suspended or achieved in wet clothings.</p><p>I grew up with first hand experience on how notorious Calabar rain can be especially in the months of June to September. The peculiarity of this rainfall remains how it starts like smithers, then feels as if it's ending yet continues and stretches into days and weeks before a faint sun is spotted in the clouds. A day could be declared bad luck if this sort of rain started before dawn and continued till twilight.</p><p>Everyone adopted a survival strategy for this weather including myself. Meeting up with my routines in spite of the rain forced me to own rain coats, boots and rubber shoes as umbrellas were always destroyed by the wind that accompanied the rainfall. My only grievance with this long hours of rain was when it happened during school session and when I had a pile of wet clothes waiting for sunshine.</p><p>During the long holidays and weekends, I recall vividly how my family looked forward to this lingering rainfall. It was the perfect excuse to stay in bed all day and have pepper soup for warmt. Under the sun or in the rain, My father always left the house early in the morning but was usually expected home earlier on a rainy day with chevon, goat offals and scent leafs for pepper soup.</p><p>On his return, he would choose an assistant from any of my siblings or my mum to join him make a fiery pot of goat meat pepper soup for the family. In minutes, the air in our kitchen would be inoculated with the strong scent of a good he-goat and in no time our spones and plates would be speaking directly to our mouths. </p><p>How we relished those moments, our noses always cried in enjoyment of the heat each scoop was giving us. One could see us moan with our mouths open due to the thrill of hot pepper soup. This pattern unconsciously became my family's approach to calabar rain and on some occasions we switched between goat meat and cat fish pepper soup.</p><p>Anticipating the rainy season and bearing in mind how selective I am with my appetite for food, I recently stocked my supplies with chevon, goat offals and scent leaf during my last visit to the market. Now, It's another day in June and although I am not in Calabar, it is raining calabar style in my location. What do you suggest I have for breakfast ???</p><p>We know the obvious answer. Nothing else can replace a bowl of an astringent goat meat pepper soup on a day like this, at least not for me.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZTFHEUJly3dnoMbtKmW7XFWDkfx_XlICEmX0WEfrbqdHWlAmozePq7jKzr-8H_kuIvZkFa4LJSSbViXVh6Ck6vISXnbDR_fNAp6zR2Tu89-YtTWNvxr7W9ymwmcsu1mGd7tiWx1U8-LwWAyIhO6Zk4CliwzvoZBfQ-ZtlrgsrU0Zpte9sDfOnMIb/s1421/Screenshot_20220622_114348_com.everimaging.photoeffectstudio_edit_73547687358047.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1421" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZTFHEUJly3dnoMbtKmW7XFWDkfx_XlICEmX0WEfrbqdHWlAmozePq7jKzr-8H_kuIvZkFa4LJSSbViXVh6Ck6vISXnbDR_fNAp6zR2Tu89-YtTWNvxr7W9ymwmcsu1mGd7tiWx1U8-LwWAyIhO6Zk4CliwzvoZBfQ-ZtlrgsrU0Zpte9sDfOnMIb/w304-h400/Screenshot_20220622_114348_com.everimaging.photoeffectstudio_edit_73547687358047.jpg" width="304" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Eme Ofemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225960125936169029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741486472459034934.post-38783958092331071762022-06-18T21:05:00.007-07:002022-06-18T22:33:53.082-07:00Heart Broken"Where do broken hearts go? Or rather, where does your broken heart go?<div><div>Already, we know Whitney Houston sang the former but what is your personal response for the latter?</div></div><div><br /></div><div>While you ponder over what you do with your broken heart, let me bore you with how I survive with mine whenever it feels shattered and all alone in the mire of this world.</div><div><br /></div><div>Heartbreaks no matter the cause has similar effects on individuals and regardless of how tough a person appears, there remains even the tiniest window to feel disconsolate about anything around or about you.</div><div><br /></div><div>As a lady who is obsessed with being in the kitchen, I have had quite a spectrum of reasons to feel my heart pump aggressively in sadness. From cooking a terrible meal to baking failures and recipe disasters to the loss of a loved one or the pain of unrequited love, I've felt crestfallen and oftentimes sought relief in places, things, and activities.</div><div><br /></div><div>Over the years, my first step in managing heart breaks is having some chocolate. Yes, you heard well, "Chocolate".</div><div>Whole chocolates, chocolate cakes, chocolate ice creams, just anything chocolate always gives the magic.</div><div>The endorphins and other hormones pumped into my bloodstream when I taste chocolate make me want to binge on some whenever I'm downhearted. The calm and content released over my sadness are the reason cakes like the triple chocolate cheesecake will always be a blessing.</div><div><br /></div><div>No heartbreak remains intact for me when there is moist cheesy chocolate goodness melting in my mouth. The chocolate in this cheesecake is prominent in the crust, filling and frosting making each slice a knight saving me from distress.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm so pleased to share one of my many efforts that inspires happiness and creates a good environment for conversations that would further relieve me of gloom. </div><div>You can follow my coping mechanism and if you are worried about the calories, you can always have a smaller slice.</div><div><br /></div><div>In my sad moments, chocolate makes a good attempt for me but beyond it's relief is the solace I've found through faith in Jesus. A bruised reed He will not break and He is always close to the broken hearted.</div><div>He is a friend, a resort and provides comfort beyond chocolate.</div><div>Life would present reasons to be sad but in Christ is hope, peace and love.</div><div><br /></div><div>I may always still binge on chocolate but I would always return to Christ to fix my wounded heart.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxh_zfGsXqEcY24kV-777hufTxXY8hVQ_nsSVOJq2CxitT7YBgKCzKEY3ojIBjlDETt4VwqpJQtrNeo7f5vFajz66Sd8l1qprU5in_7Mkdkylfmg0D053YdnkBl6KxH8NON5qQV8NCGmmYQhpa3Yu6d9Zm3-XQplTOeYpBgCsLl0-PoyDX2uEYP0a7/s4000/IMG_20220515_184105.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxh_zfGsXqEcY24kV-777hufTxXY8hVQ_nsSVOJq2CxitT7YBgKCzKEY3ojIBjlDETt4VwqpJQtrNeo7f5vFajz66Sd8l1qprU5in_7Mkdkylfmg0D053YdnkBl6KxH8NON5qQV8NCGmmYQhpa3Yu6d9Zm3-XQplTOeYpBgCsLl0-PoyDX2uEYP0a7/w300-h400/IMG_20220515_184105.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiukSZ0sxkGDx9c_1hsCPyIc-iNBRtxdUtrEucHIfXOZlYipxZ0_RNkPR0Oo-HE3KBElGx_93PHzHygBVf529ghXG0J4-A-tuuqT8dEwo0hP9gTV3mmSJ6kNzfYbZ3kIn_AGvmkoZHyDiMJ_Nx5K6ZUq9zJAlKRm0zK1UvqTGCAhklxYQh43prfYTlB/s4000/IMG_20220515_161109.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiukSZ0sxkGDx9c_1hsCPyIc-iNBRtxdUtrEucHIfXOZlYipxZ0_RNkPR0Oo-HE3KBElGx_93PHzHygBVf529ghXG0J4-A-tuuqT8dEwo0hP9gTV3mmSJ6kNzfYbZ3kIn_AGvmkoZHyDiMJ_Nx5K6ZUq9zJAlKRm0zK1UvqTGCAhklxYQh43prfYTlB/w400-h300/IMG_20220515_161109.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Eme Ofemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225960125936169029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7741486472459034934.post-41940789388375207502022-06-08T01:03:00.005-07:002022-06-10T08:05:08.699-07:00Cooking Reflex<p>Reflex actions are not limited to stimuli response, it happens with cooking and meal choices.</p><p>If there is any meal I can make without any planning, it's coconut rice. My preparation of coconut rice feels almost automatic that I think it's my reflex to the thought of cooking.</p><p>In a world where there are variants of ready-made coconut milk packed in different sizes of tins and sachets, my preferred coconut milk for making this rice is the one I extract from an actual coconut. You would think a millennial like me would go for the easy, comfortable processed milk options but maybe I have this thing for stress 🤣.</p><p>Since preserving an actual coconut is tricky for me as I need to ensure a lot of right conditions to prolong its shelf life, I usually extract a good quantity of coconut milk from a batch of coconut and just leave it in the fridge for use when I desire. This way, whenever hunger comes calling, I can have coconut rice ready in minutes.</p><p>My favorite condiments for coconut rice are ground crayfish, onions, and fresh pepper. No matter what else would eventually join the pot or finished plate, that trio is always constant. Apart from the rich creamy taste of coconut milk which is very vital to achieving a silky treacly tasting coconut rice, I've found it more delicious when the additions of those three are generous.</p><p>To be honest, the best part of coconut rice remains the crust at the bottom of the pot. It always seems as though all the ingredients convene for a general meeting at the base while the pot is cooking.</p><p>Smoked fish, steamed prawns, grilled croaker, dried chevon, fried chicken, and Moi-Moi (beans pudding) are a few of the many things I love to enjoy my coconut rice with.</p><p>What is your cooking reflex? </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWS3Cva_qpXZE7hCVXBg3hJCGtmx8_7iQVGs3s3Bhz2QIE2VlesjFEw6TuiYbucXysOHLPtTp3lU3fY6kZFNysm6szGyU3tcuRiV72xOybVZjy8MloCMJ2EtutdMeyiZspkvr2lZt0g7YDrbt4ZSBoWbDH55tkdhPPN-9-BeE-QKhl2A8WAsgs1EF_/s4000/IMG_20210531_195219.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWS3Cva_qpXZE7hCVXBg3hJCGtmx8_7iQVGs3s3Bhz2QIE2VlesjFEw6TuiYbucXysOHLPtTp3lU3fY6kZFNysm6szGyU3tcuRiV72xOybVZjy8MloCMJ2EtutdMeyiZspkvr2lZt0g7YDrbt4ZSBoWbDH55tkdhPPN-9-BeE-QKhl2A8WAsgs1EF_/w300-h400/IMG_20210531_195219.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCtEu8L4iEIj-wKoj8T_Jt1kTvGQsy4yNoo9Z_wwHyAB6u7zl48KLRc1B0mqGARNar6JJwdX_watlBXuZpvNb3azmsInYjs20uJKXqtpalRmoEFsO8-PR_5DDt6Eb0g_OiACYzyj7uLyLSuKI-UK2ro0JIY4M7OilKbJfAz7AB4XO1lJJ2xzjrzsyN/s4000/IMG_20220522_200655.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCtEu8L4iEIj-wKoj8T_Jt1kTvGQsy4yNoo9Z_wwHyAB6u7zl48KLRc1B0mqGARNar6JJwdX_watlBXuZpvNb3azmsInYjs20uJKXqtpalRmoEFsO8-PR_5DDt6Eb0g_OiACYzyj7uLyLSuKI-UK2ro0JIY4M7OilKbJfAz7AB4XO1lJJ2xzjrzsyN/w300-h400/IMG_20220522_200655.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht282CPnJ7KQVAWfoiLrC3O3qt2gK67A1AQ92xOnrsGy3mPkuVLz_pX0wJnZppMdQaOrzdiKDeRnWFslnnDJZ0zuTauh3ShZmgy_QBdwhB-_sIjPLbTDagmfuSj8XhtCxEZLf4QY5uHuUt_hLGCmXX3qjHhKuxsMycTxs9-Q_tV7XOELcBmDtYfS2T/s4000/signal-2020-11-18-205123.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht282CPnJ7KQVAWfoiLrC3O3qt2gK67A1AQ92xOnrsGy3mPkuVLz_pX0wJnZppMdQaOrzdiKDeRnWFslnnDJZ0zuTauh3ShZmgy_QBdwhB-_sIjPLbTDagmfuSj8XhtCxEZLf4QY5uHuUt_hLGCmXX3qjHhKuxsMycTxs9-Q_tV7XOELcBmDtYfS2T/w300-h400/signal-2020-11-18-205123.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzs_bHswgPLWZJMDbV4ojm5lGCb-QKEfURNTRRNohzn4VR29J0DXTVtSowCzqFQUG53OCyIG0g9aLfBTgpqSXPeop5O-VNTMWLb9DIL-J233uzADOMan-oMD4Wh4N4tc9COnNBNMj6lmav7Zxr1tI3R1LWAwK9i5iHiYkAxDh_non5LJBP5OEtusgg/s4000/IMG_20200614_202358.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzs_bHswgPLWZJMDbV4ojm5lGCb-QKEfURNTRRNohzn4VR29J0DXTVtSowCzqFQUG53OCyIG0g9aLfBTgpqSXPeop5O-VNTMWLb9DIL-J233uzADOMan-oMD4Wh4N4tc9COnNBNMj6lmav7Zxr1tI3R1LWAwK9i5iHiYkAxDh_non5LJBP5OEtusgg/w300-h400/IMG_20200614_202358.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzbheTuTSo9Lnryqqrb8BtFj45rCRqRElP0DehXU2gxeI_TlNTWhm1tnrEIXuD4Gpg6sq577kueombuAkM3KE_b6b_YiATl3VJqX5FuriicCSRhqSm8ZQsfy3yRN-nxlGy_6tJFi36bqR1mm_fpKEYk4o-dlAWUbFMzAsf_EHU2ToDrh7plgoLMAFX/s1600/signal-2022-05-04-18-31-14-439.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzbheTuTSo9Lnryqqrb8BtFj45rCRqRElP0DehXU2gxeI_TlNTWhm1tnrEIXuD4Gpg6sq577kueombuAkM3KE_b6b_YiATl3VJqX5FuriicCSRhqSm8ZQsfy3yRN-nxlGy_6tJFi36bqR1mm_fpKEYk4o-dlAWUbFMzAsf_EHU2ToDrh7plgoLMAFX/w320-h240/signal-2022-05-04-18-31-14-439.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Eme Ofemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225960125936169029noreply@blogger.com0