Healthy 6am weekday conversations in our home are rare. As I guess they are in most households with children of any sort: pre-teen and post teens! Usually, moaning and grumbling tend to dampen the chit-chat of the blue tits and red robins; and even the cocks crowing-a dawn. The kids channel crackles with dragging feet and sniffling that has tears lurking close by.
What to eat in Ghana
As told by me. And in alphabetical order. And yes, 11 days in a country makes me an expert, on eating at least, if nothing else. I’ve done my best to share the correct pronunciations. Where available, I’ve included photographs – enjoy!
Twelve (12) Resolutions for 2012
Updated 12th Februrary, 2012 Thanks for your suggestions, I’ve finally updated #12. X X X Treat myself with true & honest kindness – including the occasional manicure and pedicure. And also continue to swim, run, sleep and most of all eat right. Women, Food and God by Geneen Roth has shown me why this is important.
Merry Christmas & A Happy 2012
Dear friends, readers, strangers and loved ones. Thank you for the wonders that 2011 held for me – the loss of a friend, a country move, lots of food and still intense passion about cooking and learning and sharing. I feel blessed to be me, surrounded by a world of amazing people – you. Every single one of you made and make a difference, every kind word soothed my aching soul, every shared remembrance filled me with joy. Thank you. I haven’t been a diligent blog reader as in the past. I still love you. In 2012, I have plans...
‘Simmer & Stir’ Christmas Cake
No corny statements about how quickly Christmas has come this year.No, none. Only cake. A fruit cake. The likes of which I’ve never made before. Dreamt of making….yes but one of those dreams which die hard and early. I grew up with Fruitcakes every Christmas, lovingly made by Mrs O, a friend of my mum’s. A master baker, she would start her preparations months before the cakes were delivered, gratefully received and devoured.
New York Bagels (Not in Nigeria, FYI)
Calling all the New Yorkers out there. Before we moved from the Netherlands (I know I keep going back to those days….), I tried my hands at making bagels. And succeeded too. And because I promised you bagels and Nigerian stews (not served together mind you) – here it is. See I feel that for my American experience to be complete, I have to go to certain places – New York City is one of them. A place I’ve long associated with fun, fashion and gastronomy. Whenever I think of New York, I think Blueberry muffins, hot dogs, bagels and...
Reasons to Believe: Celebrating Sinterklaas in Nigeria
What are memories made of? Fragments of colored glass, perfect for life’s grand mosaic Pieces of patterned cloth for the patchwork quilt of our earth journeys And thick threads, for the tapestries we weave of the world
The Taming of The Stew
His cries of ‘spice, spice’ herald new beginnings, but at only 4 years old…this little man knows it not. This is the first proper ‘thing’ to come out of our new kitchen ( long before our delicious churros which have been followed by cupcakes and pizza. I’m thankful I can still cook and bake!), or ‘shrine’ as my younger sister calls it. It could pass for one. Small, and walls bedecked with ‘oddities’ that might look like instruments of war…to the uninitiated – roasting needles, an old ice-cream scoop, whisks and a metal jug that some may consider fit for...
Spiced Pumpkin Churros for Thanksgiving
I’m thankful for autumn and fall. For churros. For pumpkin puree. For pumpkin churros. For sugar, and chocolate and spice. For taste notes called toffee and caramel. For New England autumns, for deep-fried. Dough. I’m thankful for new beginnings, for children that love freely, for hope, for joy. For life. And the occasional wave of pain. I’m thankful for homecomings, imperfect as they sometimes are.