Wednesday 25 May 2011

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

56 comments:

  1. lawd, lawd, lawd....im hungry. please u need to share ur recipe

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  2. @Sis Yemmie
    LOL. Regarding recipe...I will tell you the ingredients I use oh. I am not good at measuring stuff.
    Have a blessed week
    xoxoxo

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  3. Yum Yum!

    9JA Foodie is all kinds of amazing!

    NiajaMum, can I be your adopted London daughter???

    I only started cooking properly when I met Mr Lashes, it was alot cheaper than going out for dinner all the time and I am SICK of Tasty's food!

    I still haven't made the banga soup because I can't find the 'juice' you told me about...have you got a name and description of the jar by any chance? I've seen 'Banga Spices' but that's about it.
    xxx

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  4. @Pretty Lashes
    LOL re: 'Adopted Daughter'
    You want to kill me oh

    Regarding the Palm nuy juice, the name is TROFAI. If you google it, you will see images of the tin. Believe me, practically all African food stores in London have it.

    If you go to Tasty in Woolwich, so many stores around there sell TROFAI. I use this brand but I do know there are others now.

    Good luck with exploring cooking. Mr Lashes is a lucky man
    xoxoxoxo

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  5. Wow! Now i'm hungry! Lol

    I really wish I loved cooking, but i just don't. Its soo much work. I'm still hoping it grows on me one day.

    For now though, Aunty Ajobi et al are my best friends *covers face*

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  6. @Mimi
    I totally understand re 'soo much work'
    I only grew to love it with time
    No need to cover face abeg.
    So long as you chop
    xoxoxo

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  7. OMG...OMG...Sniff sniff..... awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww...Naijamum you are amazing, and your are an excellent cook. OMG see lemz ooo.. I am with pretty lashes, I too want to be adopted oo. Cheiiiiiiiiii......c that assorted stew nahh...I am officially awake :)

    ......Thank you so very much for the dedication, it means a whole lot :)

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  8. But why? Why? Why?
    Naijamum whhhhhhhyyyyyyyyyyyyyy?

    Why are you torturing me like these? First it was 9jaFoodie, now you. DO you want me to start salivating all over my laptop?

    I want some moist lemon drizzle cake/chocolate cake and dodo. You can send the chicken too.

    Infact add the moinmoin and just a little fried rice.

    You see, i dont want to be overfed so put the meat pie and fish salsa in a seperate plate as take away.

    Thank you


    XXX
    thePETprojects
    (cant login, dunno why)

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  9. ur going to make me late for work because all those pictures have me starving lol!!!

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  10. @9jaFOODie
    You totally deserve it my sistah
    You put in sooo much effort and it shows.
    Please adopt ME instead LOL
    Have a blessed week


    @PET
    Cant log in? maka why???

    You have made me laugh re:'Why are you torturing me like these?'
    Please dont eat your keyboard oh
    Okay, I have taken down your order. You didnt ask for much LOL
    No shaking.
    I look forward to the day we can all meet up and have a chat over good food and drinks.
    Take care of yourself
    xoxoxo

    @LadyNgo
    LOL re 'ur going to make me late for work....' Abeg, go work oh....! LOL
    Have a blessed week
    xoxoxo

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  11. OMG Naijamom! You are assaulting our eyes with all these delicious looking food we can't taste. I have to start avoiding blog posts on food. The pictures always make me hungry....

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  12. @Prism
    LOL @'Assaulting'
    You should hold 9ja Foodie responsible
    She started all this....LOL
    Hope you are well?
    xoxoxo

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  13. wow....u r on fire this early morning o. I'm just waking up, haven't even had breakfast and i see this? What am i going to do to you?!!!!!!!!

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  14. NaijaMum in London, you are hereby in contempt of blogville for assault and extreme temptation...(did I sound lawyerly enough). You are fined to cook the favourite dish of each of your followers for the next 6 months.

    Damn. Not just the cooking, but the presentation. Just carry your A+ dey go.

    p.s. I shall console myself with the certain knowledge that my family and I wont starve as long as there is bread in the market....

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  15. @Sting:
    You still dey wake up?
    Day don finish for here already LOL
    How are you?
    What are you going to do to me? Abeg bless me jare!
    Have a good week dearie
    xoxoxo

    @Ginger
    I plead guilty as charged.
    Abeg carry me go nearby Hilton Hotel and sentence me to 14 days in their Penthouse LOL
    I accept the A+ quick quick
    Re: Bread....you should see my boys demolish Agege bread and assorted meat stew...mmmm !
    Take care of yourself my sistah

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

    This array is enough torture. How can all these meals be in just one post? It makes one want to eat everything today.

    They look beautiful and I bet healthy and delicious too. Well done.

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  17. Oh men! This na temptation! It is am here and now I am tempted to go ransack my fridge! LOL...

    These look delicious and well presented too!

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  18. That fried rice sure looks good mehn.

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  19. See saliva deh escape my mout' without permission! Naijamum, na wa o!
    Wow! I'm inspired. I will be contacting you for some recipes o. My adoption papers are in the post. Please just sign! Lol.

    Well, there goes my diet. Gonna start wearing trousers and skirts with elasticated waists once I move in. Thank you very much. :D

    xx

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  20. Please, is there any other method of mixing meat pie dough apart from using hand?

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  21. The spinach stew with prawns, coley fish and pomo would go sooooo nice with some pounded yam! I could do with that right now! Chei!

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  22. Naija mum I'm inspired to thrill my hubby real soon:). My fiance I think wonders if I'm a true Calabar gurl cos I don't get excited over Kitchen work just as ‎​you weren't. In my case,my mum taught ‎​​me EVERYTHING, I was proud to start cooking at 10 and then at 11/12 for the whole family. I was really praised BUT by UNI I got super lazy though I still had to do the chores not as exciting as I wanted... Plucking plenty leaves trust my Calabarians and details? My mum used to force ‎​​me to watch her make Okro and Ogbono I hated so much.

    Ha! But I have been found wanting...and I hereby REPENT lol

    Since I have read through yours,I will dazzle and daze and play with food like a true and worthy Calabar gurl. I will add 9JA Foodie and follow her detailed cooking style religiously(So help ‎​​me God).
    Lovely,I praise a woman who's committed to making delicious(and a variety of) meals for her ‎​​home.
    Thumbs up(too late to salivate,my tummy is bloated) ;)

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  23. Hahaha i relate so much to this post cos my mum is eactly the same way when it comes to cooking. Woe betide u if you arent in the kitchen with her, and she's quick to point out your flawed cooking style lol. I feel like that's why i dnt like cooking, but i know sooner or later, i'm goin to have to suck up my cooking phobia. The meals look so tasty!! :)

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  24. @os said...
    LOL @ 'It makes one want to eat everything today'
    I dont blame you. My hubby saw all the pictures and started salivating. I had to remind him that all these meals were consumed by him recently. LOL
    Yes, I try to do healthy but I do indulge from time to time 'cos I LOVE cakes and pastries
    Have a good weekend
    xoxoxoxo


    @Myne Whitman
    LOL @' This na temptation!'
    I hope you gave in and made something nice for yourself and hubby.
    Thanks for dropping by. I hope all is well
    xoxoxo


    @Ope
    I can see you like fried rice eh?
    Like hubby and my second boy (Cool2)
    I'm more a fan of jollof
    Have a blessed week/end
    xoxoxo


    @Ms.Buki said...
    hahahahah re: 'See saliva deh escape my mout' without permission!'
    Please be inspired oh
    Regarding adoption, no problem - as long as you send me 10% of your monthly salary for my upkeep LOL.
    You made me laugh when you said 'there goes my diet'
    Abeg, forget diet and monitor they quantity/ type of food you eat. LOL
    Have a wonderful week/end


    @ Ope
    Regarding Meatpie Dough, my friend who is a caterer uses a food processor and says it's fab.
    I haven't bothered getting one - YET - because the maximum number of pies I have had to make (for a party) is 100.
    In that instance, I have used two bowls and mixed two batches of dough. With the kitchen radio blaring and a glass of white wine to hand...it wasnt too bad :)))))


    @ Ms.Buki
    RE: the spinach stew: Yes !! My hubby loves it with pounded yam but I prefer it with Plain boiled Basmati Rice
    Food sweet sha ....:)))))

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  25. @enybees-hub
    I'm sooo glad you are inspired.

    Calabar !!!
    I can personally testify that Calabar people have some of the most amazing Naija soups. Is it Edikang-Ikong OR Editan OR Afia Efere OR Afang. mmmmm...I'm salivating already LOL

    LOL @'I have been found wanting...and I hereby REPENT'

    Like I said, we sometimes make the whole process of cooking over-complicated......Start with something easy and invite a few friend round. I'm sure you will love the experience

    Definitely do check out 9ja Foodie - she is fantastic
    Thanks for dropping by
    xoxoxo


    @kitkat:
    LOL @ 'Woe betide u if you arent in the kitchen with her, and she's quick to point out your flawed cooking style'
    I was exactly like you until I lived on my own and had my own space to do what I like/ when I like.
    Have a go at baking. I'm sure you will like it
    Thanks for dropping by. I do hope all is well with you - and your crush :)))))
    xoxoxoox

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  26. Na wa oo, thank God I just finished eating befor reading your post, if not i"d have eaten my laptop, thinking I was eating your food.
    Most times, eating out is eating crap. I don't really eat out, not beacuse I love cooking like that, but just because I hate to spend money on food when I can make better ones myself. lol
    Well done
    P.S: I am finding it hard commenting as myself on blogs with comment boxes embedded on their blog pages, like yours
    @ilola

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  27. waoh! you really ought to start a restaurant, going by those pix...they make my mouth water.

    Like you, I too didn't like cooking when I was younger, but as you say, it does give you control over what goes into your body.

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  28. I tagged you in a post on my blog. Empty your bag lady!!!

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  29. Salivating!
    SPINACH STEW & MIXED SEAFOOD, NOODLES AND OYSTER SAUCE STIRFRY, very colourful.

    Nutritionalert

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  30. Oh yeah, ‎​​We do have good soups, ‎​you made my heard swell but I put ​​​am for pillow so e no go bust.

    I shall follow your advice sista oh cos it won't be funny very soon. Thanks ;)

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  31. 9jamum! 9jamum! 9jamum! this is not fair ooo.. so you did not remember to invite me abi? Shame no catch me oo,i go whack everything finish..now this is what i call cooking unlike mine *covers face in shame*

    Weldone sister...and 9jafoodie 3 gbosa for you :D

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  32. Yummy!!! I am HUNGRY already.

    Nice blog!

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  33. ok... massive mistake checking this post right now. I've been waiting almost 2 hours for some food, and this has just made me extremely impatient and irate. The meals are so mouth watering and they all look delicious. Amazing stuff.
    Right you've made me ashamed of my lazy indomie dinners and bog standard rice and stew. Please i have to try out the Banga stew - looks banging ;) !!! yum

    www.msluffa.wordpress.com

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  34. all i can say is yum yum yum! wow....
    i love food.. everyone on my facebook can testify to that.. every other facebook status change is about food. i love hosting and i love having people around.
    my mum as well never let me out of her site when she was cooking it got frustrating after sometime.. but i am grateful for it. till tomorrow she is still convinced or scared i cant cook well enough.. because obviously i havent lived at home for about 12 years now.. but i know i can cook. so imagine her breathing down my neck when she is in town and i am tryin to cook.. *sigh* i am sure i will do the same to my kids. lol

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  35. @Ilola:
    LOL @'......if not i"d have eaten my laptop, thinking I was eating your food'
    That one serious oh
    LOL @'I hate to spend money on food when I can make better ones myself' True talk
    Regarding the comment section...I wonder why. I have checked the settings and all seems fine.
    I'm hoping it's a Blogger issue.
    Do let me know if this continues
    xoxoxoox


    @Anoda Phase said...
    LOL @'restaurant'...em..No, thank you LOL
    I dont think I will enjoy cooking as much.
    Hope all is well
    xoxoxo

    @Sisi Yemmie
    Thanks for the tag. I shall oblige
    xoxoxoxo


    @Nutritionalert
    I'm glad you approve...especially given your background :)
    Hope all is well with you and yours
    xoxoxo

    @enybees
    LOL @'‎​you made my heard swell but I put ​​​am for pillow so e no go bust'

    Abeg enjoy the praise. I say it again - Calabar soups sweet die.

    Please get your cooking mojo started pronto
    xoxoxo

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  36. @Ibhade
    Why e no fair?
    I bin call you now...but u say u no fit come.
    When you even come this side, you carry yourself go Scotland...hummph!
    Next time, find me oh
    LOL @*covers face in shame* You no go kill person

    Yes oh...9ja Foodie deserves praise. The girl no dey take food play at all, at all.
    Hope you are feeling better. Abeg, take am easy
    xoxoxoxo


    @Dee!
    Thanks for dropping by
    I hope you found something yummy for your tummy LOL
    Take care
    xoxoxo


    @MsLuffa
    LOL @'massive mistake'
    That's how I feel whenever I visit 9ja Foodie's site.
    What she has going on there is 'food-porn' LOL
    Hope you feel inspired to try out new recipes?
    Thanks for dropping by.
    I'm off to your blog now
    xoxoxo


    @angelsbeauty
    LOL @'everyone on my facebook can testify to that'
    A girl after my heart LOL

    *Smiling* @'....but i am grateful for it. till tomorrow she is still convinced or scared i cant cook well enough' Same here
    When my mum eventually visited me, she was shocked by how well I cooked.
    I still believe she thought I had some chef hidden under my floorboards. LOL
    Have a great weekend
    xoxoxo
    C

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  37. O.........M............G, wow. That food looks yummy. 9jafoodie is AMAZING, just discovered her blog, as well as yours and love her blog as wells as yours!

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  38. Thanks for the compliment Boma
    Yes oh...9ja Foodie is truly Amazing.
    What gets me is that she has proper measurements and stuff.
    Hope you try out some recipes soon
    Have a fab week
    xoxoxo

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  39. Thanks everyone!!! Naijamum... I sincerely cant thank you enough for the nudge, it really means a lot to me. If I ever open a restaurant (when more like), there will always be a special table for u :)

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  40. @9ja Foodie:
    Sincerely, I am happy you are happy :)))
    Regarding the restaurant, please reserve that table oh
    I dont mind making an annual pilgrimage to eat there :)))
    Have a blessed week
    xoxoxo

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  41. my goodness.all at once...i really wish i was a badass cook.

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  42. @Nikkisho..
    Practise makes perfect?
    I'm sure you have a signature dish
    Thanks for commenting
    Have a blessed week
    xoxo

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  43. The more I read of your blog, the more I think we're pretty similar! Like you, cooking was always linked in my mind with tedium. Why anyone would cook when they didn't have to was beyond me! I have no idea when that changed but I'm obsessed with trying new recipes and I would almost always pick a nice homecooked meal over eating out these days! However, I still find chopping a bit of a chore!

    Your meals look INCREDIBLE! Can you invite me over for dinner please? Failing that, can you please occasionally blog some of your recipes? Especially for Naija food. I think you owe me because you just revived yesterday's craving for fried rice, soft dodo and stewed chicken ;p

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  44. @Vickii
    Re: '.... the more I think we're pretty similar'
    I should hope so..with your tasty cooking and lovely writing :)))
    Thanks for the compliment
    Re: 'Can you invite me over for dinner please?'
    Sure - I'll cook and you do dessert? DEAL LOL
    Regarding Naija recipes, no problems. Just give me your request and I'll be sure to measure everything when I cook - because that's my real challenge (recalling exactly how much stuff I used) LOL

    mmmmmm *sounding like Homer Simpson* ....fried rice, soft dodo and stewed chicken......mmmm *salivating* LOL
    Food is lovely though.
    Many thanks for dropping by.
    Have a blessed weekend

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  45. Ooohhh yummie!!! Hats off to you oh! Please, you and master chef 9jafoodie should send some of your mojo my way abeg nau!!

    Adiya
    http://thecornershopng.blogspot.com

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  46. @Adiya:
    LOL re' send some of our mojo your way....
    Practise makes perfect so I'm sure you are on your way to becoming masterchef very soon LOL
    Hope all is well with you
    xoxoxo

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  47. Ha ha DEAL to you cooking dinner and me bringing dessert!

    Okay, my recipe requests are okra soup and efo riro please. Oooh and your hot pepper sauce with goatmeat also looks yum!!!Thank you :)

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  48. @Vickii

    Okay oh

    I will definitely measure stuff when next I cook
    okra and pepper sauce.

    Do you mean the okra to go with stew or okro on its own

    As for efo riro...My trusted 9ja Foodie has this on her site: http://littlemissgastronome.blogspot.com/2010/06/efo-riro.html

    Enjoy.

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  49. No okra soup all in one. Not okro to go with stew. Thank you :) And thanks for introducing me to Naija foodie's blog :)

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  50. Good Lord...thats all i can manage..

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  51. I miss having moi moi in plantain leave..brings back memories..

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  52. @Damilola
    LOL @' ...thats all i can manage.
    I understand....food seewt sha


    @Her Lioness
    Moi moi in leaves is totally different
    Can you not get banana leaves close to where you live?

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  53. OMG OMG OMG! I sooo lurv food unfortunately I don't eat much bt I'm guessing dat wuld change as soon as u adopt me too. Pretty pls! I'll b nice. I'll try not to talk too much. I know it'll b hard not to bt I'll try my bestest.
    Bt darn! Good lordy lordy! Hmn hmn

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  54. @Toinlicious
    You dont eat much? Why now? That is definitely not a problem in my house LOL

    Re: Adopt you ....no propblem. My only request is that you give me 10% of your income; you top-up my phone credit; Top up my travel card and fill my fuel tank weekly. No biggie abi LOL

    Thanks for reading my posts. Much appreciated
    xoxoxox

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  55. Just came across this particular post as I typed in Niajfoodie on google instead of 9ja foodie.

    WOW... as in am in awe... am tempted to say messed up in a good way.. Na food plenty for ground like this.. chia..

    U are good and am happy to say u inspire me..

    Ur household will never go hungry.. I pray God will continue to bless ur pocket and creativity...

    chia, I am coming for cookery lessons ohh... book me down..

    I love all I saw.

    Well done....

    Happy New Year..

    xxx

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    Replies
    1. @DOK
      Thanks so much for the compliment and prayers
      Amen oooooooH!
      I pray that you find happiness in all you do
      Amen
      Hope you are well?
      xxxxx

      Delete

I always look forward to reading comments from visitors - so please leave yours. Many thanks for dropping by....xoxoxox