Celebrating Food

When I was growing up, I hated cooking because it was sooo tedious.

Every time I was told the cook, I knew that the whole process would be bogged down by unnecessary stress. Either one had to contend with erratic power supply (meaning blending cooking ingredients by hand) OR one had to deal with scarcity of cooking gas (meaning one had to use the kerosene stove) OR one had to go through the laborious process of boiling meat, chopping vegetables, washing beans, peeling yam, chopping vicious onions, chopping hot pepper (ata rodo) while trying to avoid the Major General (my mum) who was quick to point out any culinary mistakes.

Woe betide you if my mum was cooking and you were somewhere else ..mmm...Who born monkey ! She was constantly reminding me that I had to learn how to cook OR ELSE...........LOL

Needless to say, I avoided cooking whenever I could. I was relieved when I left for university as this meant that chore was now done with. However, after graduating from uni, moving to Lagos and living alone in my own little flat; I began to appreciate cooking as a skill. Maybe this was because it was done on my own terms and at my own pace. I could cook whatever I liked, whenever I felt like and however I felt like doing so. I then began to realise that being able to cook not only saved you money, it also meant you were in control of the quality of what went into your mouth - and body. It also meant that you could bring people together.

Food has a special significance for me. If a friend is celebrating, mourning, happy, sad, excited, overwhelmed......my first instinct is to make something nice and take it round to them. Food brings people together. Indeed, a clear sign that a stranger has been accepted is when his/her neighbours invite him/her round for a meal. Again, a giving person is more likely to share a meal with you or even share a recipe with you.

 I now love cooking and despite our differences, I always give kudos to my mum for teaching us how to cook. Not only cook ...but cook well. Since I started blogging, I have come across several fantastic food bloggers - all on my blogroll.

However, one in particular has impressed me - with her attention to detail, consistency, presentation skills and passion for food. Indeed, she has motivated me to start trying new recipes. For example, her Puff Puff recipe was given to me upon request and I have to say it was so easy to follow. Same with her Moi Moi  recipe.

This post is dedicated to 9ja Foodie - a blogger who consistently delivers. What is even more amazing about her is that she has proper recipes - as in measurements and stuff. Haba! I HAIL YOU OH!!!!

Here are a couple of meals I've prepared over the past few months...Enjoy...........:

FRIED RICE AND ASSORTED MEAT STEW

MEATPIE - NAIJA STYLE

DODO (FRIED PLANTAIN), BLACK EYE BEANS AND FLAKED FISH SALSA

DODO, ROAST PARSNIPS, ROAST CHICKEN, JOLLOF RICE, ROAST DUCK, MEATPIE,
AND ASSORTED MEAT STEW

SEAFOOD STIRFRY, SALMON WITH SOY SAUCE, RICE AND DODO

MOI MOI IN PLANTAIN LEAF - 9JA FOODIE RECIPE

LEMON DRIZZLE CAKE

MOIST CHOCOLATE SPONGE CAKE

SLICES OF CHOCOLATE AND LEMON DRIZZLE CAKE WITH CUSTARD 

HOT PEPPER SAUCE WITH GOAT MEAT AND DODO

TILAPIA FISH WITH EFO RIRO AND STEWED BEEF

JOLLOF RICE, BAKED CHICKEN AND MIXED SALAD

POUNDED YAM AND BANGA SOUP

HOME MADE BEEF BURGER, OVEN BAKED CHIPS AND KETCHUP

RICE WITH HOT PEPPER STEW, ASSORTED MEAT AND DODO

PUFF PUFF - 9JA FOODIE RECIPE

MIXED SEAFOOD, NOODLES AND OYSTER SAUCE STIRFRY

RICE WRAPPED IN PLANTAIN LEAF WITH OXTAIL STEW AND DODO

SPINACH STEW WITH PRAWNS, COLEY FISH AND POMO

PS- I meant to take more pictures but sometimes I was too hungry to get the camera LOL