It’s raining, its sunny, it’s freezing, it’s snowing, it’s citrus season, baby! Talk about my favourite season because it’s also agbalumo season, and though I’m far from home, away from the source of that joy, I can bask in the joy here – of juice oranges and ugli, sanguinello and kumquats, tangerines, tangelos, mandarins and […]
Latest Posts
Coming in October | Coast to Coast – From West Africa to the World
Hi friends, Its been ages. Life and work have been full, and fulfilling. I’ve been cooking, reading, sleeping, no developing as many recipes as I used to but yeah, such is life. I’m excited to share some info about a series of events in New York this October. In partnership with the Museum of Food […]
Keynote Speech: Reclaiming and Reimagining Food History
A few weeks ago, I gave my first ever keynote speech at the Vancouver Island University’s Food and Sovereignty symposium on Reclaiming and Reimagining Food History. Here’s an excerpt from the announcement: “Keynote speaker Ozoz Sokoh will highlight how food is more than nourishment for the body but also an important aspect of people’s history and […]
A Plantain Primer: Get to Know ’em – Colour, Ripeness & More
Plantain is a starchy ‘fruit’ that’s used throughout its various stages of ripeness. Through its colour gradients, from green to black, the sweetness and texture change. It’s important to say that in Nigerian cooking, most traditional applications and preparation of plantain are savory from appetizer to mains and sides so even when sweet ripe plantains […]
On Tomato Skin Powder
Last year, skin powders and purees occupied my thoughts. Tomatoes, peaches, plum and lemons are firm favourites. Here are my notes for tomato skin powder What is it? Dried tomato skins, ground and used as seasoning. I combine mine with salt, pepper and other spices Why do you skin the tomatoes? I use tomatoes in […]
Our Second Meal: Pasta & Basil Buttered Tomatoes
I wrote this post in 2020, fresh to Canada. I knew I’d forget what the early days felt like so I kept a journal – about thoughts, feelings and importantly, eats! January 2020 Our first shopping trip is dominated by pasta and tomatoes, bread and butter and pasta. Three kinds – linguine, farfalle, fusilli. And […]
On New Beginnings & Old Favourites: Pepper soup spice
I wrote this a year ago in January 2020 days after we moved. I wanted to be intentional about documenting the journey, and observing myself – the things that I did for comfort and what helped. Pepper soup helped. A lot! Even before we arrive, I know I’ll have pepper soup in the first few […]
On Canada, Maple Syrup and Cabane à Sucre
It’s exactly one year since Canada became home. When we moved in January of 2020, we had no idea what the year would hold save for new schools, work, seasons and more. Twelve months later, I look back with amazement, wonder, and yes uncertainty. On the 23rd of January, 2012, I wrote about my 2nd […]
How to eat (in) Paris
Or how I ate in Paris. This post is about a trip to Paris in 2009, travelling for the joy of it, not dictated by work, not a family trip, just my ‘friend’ and I. ***** I dream of food in Paris – soft, flaky croissants with shells that rain confetti on your clothes, flaking […]