CHRISTMAS MENU : COCONUT VEGETABLE FRIED RICE & SAUCE

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Enough of rice. Here's Ofe Nsala (white soup) for the Christmas

Nsala soup or White Soup is a tasty, fast and easy soup recipe that has its origins in the riverine areas of Nigeria.
How to Cook Nsala Soup [Video]
Nsala Soup is perfect for a cold rainy day due to its spicy taste. Because it is so easy to prepare, you can count on it to save the day when you run out on soup a few days before the big soup day ;)

Ingredients

• Cat Fish: 4 one-inch thick pieces
• Fresh or dry Utazi Leaves (Gongronema latifolium)
• Thickener: Raw White Yam / Yam Powder / Potato Puree
• Habanero peppers: to taste
• Salt (to taste)
• 1 handful crayfish
• 1 stock cube (Maggi / Knorr)
• 1 Ogiri Okpei (Nigerian traditional seasoning)

Alternative Ingredients for Nsala Soup

• You can use Conger Eel (Congrio in Spanish) instead of Cat fish. Buy the part towards the tail because the pieces you'll get from there are smaller and do not have large holes in them.
• When using yam powder as thickener, mix the powder with hot water first to make a thick smooth paste (as if you are making pounded yam) before adding it to the soup. Adding the powder directly into the soup will make the soup mushy and you may end up with lumps. Visit How to Cook Nigerian Soups with Flour as Thickener for details.
• In the absence of habanero pepper, you can use dry chilli pepper.
• Utazi leaves do not have any good alternative. If you don't have it, no worries because it only adds a slightly bitter flavour to the soup.

Before you cook Nsala Soup

1. Cut the catfish into 1 inch thick cylindrical discs and remove the intestines. Place in bowl and pour very hot water on the fish. This process of pouring hot water on the fish toughens the skin of the fish so that the pieces do not disintegrate while cooking the soup. Leave for about 2 minutes and wash the fish with cold water. You should also wash off any slimy substance on the outer skin of the fish at this time.
2. Boil a few cubes of raw white yam. When soft, pound with a mortar and pestle till a smooth paste is formed, then set aside. You can substitute white yam with yam powder or potato puree for the thickening.
3. Wash and pound/blend the utazi leaves, the chilli pepper and the crayfish and set aside. Utazi is bitter in taste and only used for flavouring so one or two leaves should be enough especially when using the fresh leaves.

Cooking Directions

1. Place the catfish in a pot and pour enough water to cover the fish. Add the seasoning and cook till done. Feel free to add beef and dry fish to this soup recipe.
2. When the catfish is almost done, add the crayfish, pepper and utazi leaves blend. Also add the yam paste in small lumps and salt to taste.

   Note: Catfish is what makes Nsala soup what it is, giving it the unique taste that it has so it is essential to this recipe. The only other fish that I have found to be close to Cat fish as regards to this recipe is Conger Eel.
   

3. Cover the pot and allow the contents to cook at high heat till all the yam paste have dissolved. While cooking, if you think that the yam paste will make the soup too thick, you can remove some that are yet to dissolve.

The Nigerian Nsala Soup is ready to be served with Eba (Garri), Semolina, Amala, Pounded Yam etc.

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VIDEO- How to cook Nigerian Yam Porridge, Igbo Style

Yam Porridge can also be referred to as yam soup. It is mainly yam cooked with ingredients and the resulting dish contains some soupy liquid. It is usually not cooked with added vegetables but I always add a little to add some green colour to the meal 

Watch Video- How To Make A Nutella Milkshake

There are many different milkshake flavors, but have you ever wondered what a Nutella milkshake would taste like? Watch the video below and learn how to prepare a great and tasty milkshake for your family and friends.
Photo Credit: kirbiecravings.com

 

How to Make Nigerian Zobo Drink aka Zoborodo

Zobo (Zoborodo) is a Nigerian beverage made from dried Roselle plant flowers. The drink is also known as Roselle drink and called Sorrel drink in the Carribean.

Zobo has a sour taste so it can clash with sugars. This why I prefer to keep my Zobo drink as natural as possible hence I use only natural ingredients when preparing the drink. You may add artificial flavours and sweeteners such as Nutri-C and sugar if you wish.
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Naija Delicacy: How to prepare delicious Bitterleaf soup (Ofe'onugbu)

To cook a very tasty meal one must pay lots of attention to, not just the ingredients, but the methods.  For instance, if a particular part of your cooking is over-done or under-cooked, it affects the final outcome. 

To start with, you'll need to ensure that all your required ingredients are available.

For a small pot of soup for a family of six, you'll require:

(1) 1\2 kilo of meat cow, goat, or chiken. 

(2)  Some freshly washed bitterleaf

(3)  1\4 kilo of pounded cocoayam

(4)  Pieces of stockfish (Okporoko) and some piece of dry fish (Mangala or catfish)  

(5) Palm oil

(6) Local Igbo (Ogili)\ 1wrap  

(7) Conventional spice (Knorr or Maggi)

(8) Ground crayfish 

(9) Salt

(10) Ground dry pepper

                  How to prepare 

Cut the meat to size, put in a moderate pot. 

Add some stockfish. 

Add water a little above meat level in pot. 

Add 2 cubes of Maggi or Knorr. 

Add salt to taste.  

Allow meat to cook till it's soft to taste.

  Note: The softer the meat the more delicious your soup will turn out as your spices would have permeated it properly.

Add your properly washed bitterleaf in the boiling pot of meat.

  Note: If you bought your bitterleaf pre-washed at the market, do spare some time to briefly boil and wash them again as they are not always thoroughly done by the sellers. 

Allow to cook for 10 minutes while the pot is left open. Do not cover pot. 

Add molds of your pounded cocoayam into the boiling pot. This acts as a thickener, be mindful not to add too much. 

Add 5 spoons of grounded crayfish. 

Stir soup intermittently

Add 2 spoons of pepper to wrap of Ogili and stir in a mortar. 

Add the paste to the cooking soup. 

Add some dry fish. 

Allow soup to cook until cocoayam mold completely dissolve. 

Stir and bring down

Enjoy.

Making Delicious Nigerian Coconut rice

This Nigerian food is called the Jollof Rice with a twist! It feels good to see the looks on your guests' or friends' faces when they think you are serving them the good old Jollof Rice but bam, the moment the first spoon enters the mouth, you are sure to get the looks of pleasure! It makes you feel good, doesn't it?
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Watch Video and learn how to make coconut rice.

Preparing Ofada Stew

Ofada stew is a Nigerian meal native to the Yorubas. It is a very tasty delicacy usually consumed with Ofada rice (Native Rice). Enjoy!!!

Tapping from the Benefits of Sugarcane Juice

HOW TO PREPARE SUGARCANE JUICE
Cut the big pieces of sugar cane into small pieces, then peel off the thick skin. Slice into tiny pieces put in a blender and add water. You may wish to add ginger and lemon juice to improve the taste and increase the nutritional value. Blend them thoroughly and use  drain the sugarcane juice. Serve cold.

Nutritional Information Of Sugarcane

Sugarcane juice is rich in calcium, chromium, cobalt, copper, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, potassium and zinc.  It also contains iron and vitamins A, C, B1, B2, B3, B5, and B6, along with high concentration of phytonutrients, antioxidants, proteins and soluble fiber. All these nutrients work together to keep your body in a good and healthy shape. Here are some other benefits of sugarcane juice.

Health Benefits Of Sugarcane Juice

Sugar cane juice is good source of glucose which helps to re-hydrates the human body and gives it a boost of energy. So instead of your artificial energy drink, the next time you feel fatigued or dehydrated, consider drinking a glass of cane juice.
Even though cane juice tastes very sweet and has high sugar content, it is good for diabetic patients. It contains natural sugar which has low glycemic index that prevents steep rise in blood glucose levels in diabetics, so it can act as a substitute of aerated drinks for them. However people with Type-2 diabetes should consume it in moderation and after consultation with their doctors.

Sugarcane juice is considered an alkaline forming food because of the high concentration of calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, and manganese in it.  Diseases like cancer cannot survive in an alkaline environment and that’s why studies show that it is effective in fighting against cancer, especially prostate and breast cancer

As sugar cane juice boosts protein levels in the body, it helps in maintaining the health of the kidney. Taken in a diluted form, with lime juice and coconut water, sugar cane juice helps in reducing the burning sensation which is commonly associated with urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted diseases, kidney stones and prostatitis.

The antioxidants in sugarcane juice help to fighting against infections and boost the immunity system of the body. It also protects the liver against infections and helps in keeping the bilirubin levels in control. This is the reason that doctors advice drinking sugar cane juice to jaundice patients, as it is one of the few things that get digested without too much pressure on the liver and also helps in reducing the bilirubin levels.

Sugar cane juice also acts a good digestive aid due to the presence of potassium. It helps in keeping the digestive system in good shape, prevents stomach infections and is considered to be particularly useful in treating the problem of constipation.
Studies show that sugarcane juice protects against tooth decay and bad breath due to its high mineral content. So save yourself the next trip to the dentist and drink a glass of fresh sugarcane juice to get shiny white teeth.

As I mentioned in a post regarding effects of nutrients on nails, deficiency of nutrients in the body can easily be noticed by looking at the health and condition of your nails. If you have brittle discolored nails that have white spots on them, then it’s time to add sugar cane juice in your diet. It contains everything to give you those strong shiny nails that would look pretty even without a nail polish.
Sugarcane juice has been discovered to be great for those people who are struggling with febrile disorders. Febrile disorders are accountable for resulting in fevers, which can lead to seizures and loss of protein in the body. It is quite common in infants and children. Sugar cane juice helps in compensating the lost protein and helps in recovery.

When it comes to healthy skin, alpha hydroxy acids are supposed to have a lot of benefits. They fight acne, reduce blemishes, prevent ageing and help in keeping the skin hydrated. One of the most effective alpha hydroxy acids is glycolic acid and sugarcane, is one of its few natural sources. Just apply sugar cane juice to your skin and let it dry or add it to your favourite face mask and scrub. Use it regularly to see the effect.

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Photo Credit: http://www.momjunction.com

AFRICAN SALAD AND ITS NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS

AFRICAN SALAD AND ITS NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS

African Salad is a delicacy that got its origin from Nigeria, among the Igbos in the eastern part of Nigeria. It has become popular in many parts of Africa as a result of its richness and great taste. It is indeed a dish that is gradually becoming popular among foreigners. In some parts of Igboland, their main ingredients are Abacha and Ugba. It can be prepared as a main course meal or a fast food. Abacha can be bought from various markets in Nigeria and it is processed from Cassava, while Ugba, also known as Ukpaka is processed from Oil Beans Seeds.

African Salad is a highly nutritional diet as it contains rich minerals like potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorous and zinc. As a result of the other ingredients added to the salad, such as crayfish or meat, chili pepper and garden egg, it is rich in protein and crude fibre.

MAKING AFRICAN SALAD

Ingredients

1.       6-8 cups of Abacha (African Salad)

2.       Ehu- 3 seeds

3.       1-2 cups of Ugba

4.       Half cup of crayfish

5.       1-2 cubes of Maggi or Knorr

6.       10cl of palm oil

7.       Edible powdered potash- 1 teaspoon

8.       Utazi leaves

9.       Garden egg leaves

10.   Kanda/pomo

11.   Grounded pepper

12.   1 big bulb of onions

13.   I teaspoon of ogiri

14.   Dry fish/stock fish/meat

BEFORE TO MAKE YOUR AFRICAN SALAD

1.       Prepare the ehu seeds by roasting, dehauling and grinding them with a dry mill.

2.       If you will use kanda (cow skin), cook till done and cut into small pieces.

3.       Depending on your choice of fish (you can also use all of them), fry or roast the mackerel, soak the stockfish in water and debone the dry fish.

4.       Wash and cut the vegetables into tiny pieces. Cut the big bulb of onion into tiny pieces and cut the medium one in circles. Wash the garden eggs and set aside, no need to cut these.

5.       Grind the crayfish and pepper

6.       Soak the Abacha in cold water and rinse the Ugba with lukewarm water.

7.       Once the Abacha has softened, put in a sieve to drain.

8.       Put the powdered potash in a cup or bowl and pour about 1 cup of cold water. Stir well and you are ready to start making the African Salad.

MAKING THE AFRICAN SALAD

1.       The key to making a good African Salad is to make sure that all the ingredients are well incorporated. As you will see below, there's a lot of add this, stir, add that, stir. You may wonder why you can't just add everything and stir but if you do that, it will be very difficult for you to get a good blend of all the ingredients.

2.       Pour the palm oil into a sizeable pot. Yes you need all that oil so that your Abacha will not have a dry feel in the mouth when done. Pour the water from the potash mixture, making sure not to pour the sediments.

3.       Stir very well and you'll see the oil turn into a yellow paste.

4.       Add the ground pepper, ground ehu, crushed stock cubes, crayfish, diced onions and ugba (ukpaka), then stir very well. Please note that we are doing everything off the stove.

5.       Add the iru/ogiri and make sure it is mixed very well. Add the diced kanda/pomo and stir very well.

6.       Now add the soaked and drained Abacha and stir till it is well-incorporated in the palm oil paste.

7.       Add the sliced Utazi and salt to taste and stir well. You can also use dry Utazi if the fresh one is not available where you live. It is important that you add salt last because after adding all that seasoning, your Abacha may not even need salt anymore.

8.       It can also be served with fried beef or chicken.

References

1.       Allnigerianrecipes.com

2.       Punch online

3.       Allnigerianfoods.com

4.       Viviannesblog.wordpress.com

11 Proven Health Benefits of Garlic

“Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food.”

1. Garlic Contains a Compound Called Allicin, Which Has Potent Medicinal Properties

2. Garlic Is Highly Nutritious, But Has Very Few Calories

3. Garlic Can Combat Sickness, Including the Common Cold

4. The Active Compounds in Garlic Can Reduce Blood Pressure

5. Garlic Improves Cholesterol Levels, Which May Lower The Risk of Heart Disease

6. Garlic Contains Antioxidants That May Help Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia

7. Garlic May Help You Live Longer

8. Athletic Performance Can be Improved With Garlic Supplementation

9. Eating Garlic Can Help Detoxify Heavy Metals in the Body

10. Garlic May Improve Bone Health

11. Garlic Is Easy to Include In Your Diet and Tastes Absolutely Delicious

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