Thursday, 30 May 2019

HOW TO MAKE THE AUTHENTIC GHANAIAN CORN STICK RECIPE (ADUNLEE / ATSUPIPI)



Thanks to Mum I am able to revive this classic childhood favourite snack of mine known as Atsufufui pronounced phonetically Atsupipi (where the ‘F’ is silent) in Ewe or Adunley/Adunlee in Ga from Ghana.

Basically this snack is best translated as Corn sticks and are very moorish. 

 They’re gluten free and a must try recipe.



Be warned they can be very addictive.

INGREDIENTS 
500g of the Ghanaian Corn flour or use the brand Pam
2 tablespoonfuls of Sugar (increase the amount to suit your personal preference)
600ml of water
Half a teaspoonful of Salt
500 ml of your preferred un-scented oil (Groundnut, Rapeseed or Vegetable oil)

METHOD 
Watch how to prepare this popular gluten free West African snack below;




TO SERVE
Best served with Guacamole. See video recipe below;




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THE TASTIEST WEST AFRICAN RED CURRY SAUCE RECIPE




Are you looking for a quick and easy to follow recipe for lunch or dinner?
Why not try this naturally flavour packed West African Red curry recipe with either Coconut Rice it Sticky Rice.

INGREDIENTS 
800g of Lamb chops 
1 sliced Green Pepper
7 fresh Basil leaves / Akukomesa 
400ml of Coconut milk
Salt to taste 


RED CURRY PASTE
2 large Red Peppers
2 large Onions
30g of fresh Ginger
1 whole lemongrass stalk
1 Habanero Chilli or 8 Thai Chillies
2 tablespoonfuls of Peanut butter or Groundnut purée 
1 teaspoonful of Fish sauce  or Half a teaspoon of fermented locust beans powder / Dawadawa

METHOD 
Watch how to prepare this flavour packed West African Red curry below;





TO SERVE 
Enjoy this amazing curry with the plethora of creative rice recipes below;




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Monday, 27 May 2019

HOW TO COOK MICHELIN STAR SCALLOPS AT HOME


In my previous recipe post for the Black Venus Rice I touched on a travelling memory to Paris where I first enjoyed the Black Venus Rice with seared scallops. 
Concluding this memorable and favourite recipe learn how to cook a Michelin style scallops at home with tips below;



I purchased these scallops from Marks and Spencer for about £7.40 which can make a perfect starter for 4. Impress your guest with this easy to follow restaurant style for lunch or dinner party.

TIPS
  1. Bring to scallops to room temperature when you take it out of the fridge.
  2. Using a kitchen napkin blot any excess moisture and add salt to taste.
  3. Use olive oil (not the extra virgin olive oil) and heat it up till it starts smoking

INGREDIENTS 
400g of Wild Atlantic Scallops
1 tablespoonful of butter 
3 tablespoonfuls of olive oil (not Extra Virgin)
A sprig of fresh thyme 
Salt to taste

TO SERVE 
Serve with cooked Black Venus rice




Watch how to prepare this impressive dinner party starter below;




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THE SWEET POTATOES PIZZA RECIPE WITH GRILLED OKRA and GARDEN EGGS


Imagine a sweet potato base pizza topped with grilled Garden Eggs which has a slight bitter taste and grilled Okra which lends its nutty flavour to each bite. 
Turn that imagination into reality by following this easy to replicate recipe.

INGREDIENTS 
250g of grated Sweet Potatoes 
30g of Okra cut into half lengthwise 
4 Garden Eggs/ Aubergine/ Egg plant cut into 2cm disc shape
80g of grated Cheddar or Mozzarella 
3 tablespoonful of Coconut oil
Salt and Pepper to taste

CHILLI DIPPING SAUCE
5 chopped fresh green chillies 
1 finely chopped medium sized shallots 
20g of chopped spring onions 
1 teaspoonful of fennel seeds
1 levelled teaspoon of chilli flakes
1 tablespoonful of Apple Cider Vinegar 
3 tablespoonfuls of extra virgin olive oil
Salt to taste 

METHOD 
Watch how to prepare this amazing recipe below 👇🏾




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HOW TO COOK BLACK VENUS RICE


My first experience of tasting the  Black Venus rice was in Paris and it’s a memory I love to revisit. The nutty taste of the Black rice, the sandalwood aroma coupled with the seared Scallops made for an amazing food experience. Hence you can imagine my excitement when I chanced upon it at my local fishmongers. Till this day I keep restocking. 





HISTORY 
Black rice has existed for centuries in China and was reserved only for the emperors and a small noble circle, hence referred to as the forbidden rice.

The Black Venus Rice was then introduced in 1997 where the Italian Risotto rice was cross pollinated with the Chinese Black rice. It is cultivated in specific areas of the Po Valley in Italy.
The Black Venus Rice is known for its high nutritional and aphrodisiac properties hence a perfect inclusion to any romantic relationship 😜





 The Black Venus wholemeal rice cooks in 40 minutes (if not soaked) releasing a special aroma of both sandalwood and freshly cooked bread. 

 
INGREDIENTS 
200g of Black rice
600ml of water
1 tablespoonful of butter
Salt to taste

METHOD 
Watch how to prepare this amazing gluten free and nutty rice recipe below;




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Thursday, 23 May 2019

MAKE THIS AMAZING EGG and SALTED BEEF FRIED RICE RECIPE


There are 3 rules that I always abide by when making  my Egg fried Rice.
  1. The rice should be spiced or cooked in a broth for flavour 
  2. The Egg should be Organic or Free range.
  3. The Eggs should be chunky when cooked and wrapped around a cluster of rice.
SALTED BEEF INGREDIENTS 

50g of Beef with fat 
1 teaspoon of Caraway seeds
1 tablespoonful of Pink Himalayan salt or Sea salt
1 teaspoonful of Rosemary
1.5 tablespoonfuls of Apple cider vinegar.



INGREDIENTS 
6 Eggs
300g of Coconut and Salted Beef Rice (Angwa Mo)
1 sliced medium shallot
8 chopped mild green chillies (reduce or increase the amount to your personal preference)
1 tablespoonful of Coconut oil
Salt to taste 

SPICED COCONUT OIL RICE RECIPE 



Watch how to prepare this amazing Egg fried rice with salted Beef below;




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Tuesday, 21 May 2019

MAKE THIS KOREAN CRUNCHY STYLE CHICKEN WINGS FOR LUNCH




Imagine bitting into a crunchy and equally moist Chicken wing, dipped into an amazing flavour packed homemade chilli sauce. 

Move that imagination into reality by following this Korean inspired recipe . 


The recipe has been created with carefully selected ingredients for their flavours and textures to give you the most joy.

Enjoy!





INGREDIENTS 


700g of Chicken wings
200g of Corn starch
1 teaspoonful of freshly milled black peppercorns 
1 levelled teaspoon of Salt

SPICE BLEND
30g of fresh Ginger
1 medium sized Onion
2 cloves of Garlic
1 teaspoonful of Aniseed 
1 small Habanero Chilli (optional)




CHILLI SAUCE
1 large charred Red pepper 
10 Thai red chillies
4 cloves of Garlic
I large Onion
The zest and juice of 1 large Lemon
20g of Ginger
3 tablespoonfuls of Coconut oil
2 tablespoonfuls of brown sugar
1 Habanero chilli (optional)
1 stalk of Lemongrass
500ml of water
1 tablespoonful of Corn starch mixed with 4 tablespoonfuls of water
10g of fresh Thyme
30g of chopped spring onions or onion flowers
20g of fresh basil leaves
Salt to taste

750ml of your preferred oil for frying 

METHOD 
Watch how to prepare this easy to follow recipe including tips below 👇🏾


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Friday, 17 May 2019

MAKE THIS REFRESHING PINEAPPLE LEMONADE


Spring/Summer 2019 must be enjoyed with a glass of this chilled Pineapple Lemonade which can also be enjoyed as tea. 

INGREDIENTS 
1 medium sized washed, peeled and cored Pineapple ( reserve the skins and core for the syrup)
20g of Mint (to serve)

SYRUP 
750ml  of water
2 tablespoonfuls of Brown Sugar
A pinch of Salt
2 stalks of crushed Lemongrass 
A thumb size of fresh Ginger
1 optional Star Anise

METHOD 
Watch how to prepare this refreshing drink below;




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Wednesday, 15 May 2019

A SPECIAL LEMON CURD RECIPE


What makes this Lemon curd recipe special?
It’s low in sugar and works perfectly as a spread for your toast, especially sour dough bread and feta cheese (my guilty pleasure).

TIP
  1. Best to add a little pinch of salt to reduce the amount of sugar you include to your curd. You can increase the amount of sugar you include to suit your personal preference.
  2. Use a glass oven proof bowl / Pyrex which sits comfortably on top of the saucepan for a makeshift Bain Marie. 
  3. Consistently stir the mixture to avoid any lumps.
  4. You can use the pulse button on your blender to blend the mixture to a smoother consistency.
  5. Best served with Yoghurt with a Granola topping 

INGREDIENTS 
Zest and juice of 3 large Lemons
3 tablespoonfuls of icing sugar
1 tablespoonful of butter
2 Egg yolks and 3 whole Eggs.
A pinch of salt (optional)

METHOD 
Watch how to prepare this amazing easy to follow recipe below;




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Monday, 13 May 2019

CRISPY BEEF RECIPE



INGREDIENTS 
250g of Sirloin steak cut into thin strips
650ml of water
1 tablespoonful of salt

400g of Corn starch
1 teaspoonful of milled black peppercorns 
1 tablespoonful of Onion powder (optional)
A pinch of salt 
(Mix the corn starch, peppercorns, onion powder and salt together and divide into two equal portions).

1 large egg
70g of chopped spring onions (you can also add a few fresh leaves of Coriander).
600ml of your preferred oil

DRESSING 
1 tablespoonful of icing sugar
2 tablespoonfuls of Dark Soy sauce
1.5 teaspoonful of Fish sauce
3 tablespoonfuls of Sesame oil
2 tablespoonfuls of Sesame seeds
1 tablespoonful of Chilli flakes
Salt to taste



TIPS
  1. Ensure each Beef strip is coated in the corn starch mixture 
  2. Do not overload your pot/wok with the Beef strips to prevent an oil filled crispy Beef.
  3. Best to use a Wok or a bigger pot 
METHOD 
Watch how to. Relate this amazing snack packed with flavours and textures below;




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Friday, 10 May 2019

THE TASTIEST TABBOULEH RECIPE EVER




Tabbouleh, a healthy Middle Eastern herby salad is a popular dish in Ghana (thanks to the Lebanese of Ghana).
Apart from Za’atar flat bread, my second favourite Middle Eastern food is Tabbouleh. 

The salad which consists of a large amount of Parsley, a little fine coarse soaked Bulgar wheat, Mint, Tomatoes and spring Onions etc makes for a healthy dish. 
For this recipe I used a mixture of Bulgar wheat and Quinoa from Waitrose, however you can use Bulgar Wheat only.




Parsley which has a higher Vitamin C content as compared to an Orange is the main ingredient (in my opinion) in Tabbouleh. 

The inclusion of Lemon and Sumac makes for a tangy Tabbouleh, whilst the Pomegranate molasses gives the salad the much needed sweetness. 

SPICES
I have also included cumin powder to the Tabbouleh for that earthy taste. Alternatively you can use the Lebanese 7 spice mix or Baharat spice mix. 
The latter is readily available in most supermarkets across the UK. Tabbouleh can be enjoyed on its own or with most grills. 




INGREDIENTS 
60g of Bulgar Wheat
250ml of water 
Finely chopped 1 medium sized Onion
Juice of 1 large Lemon
400g of chopped fresh Parsley 
50g of chopped fresh Mint
30g of chopped Spring Onions
2 large diced sun-ripened Tomatoes
2 tablespoonfuls of Pomegranate molasses 
1 teaspoonful of Cumin powder
1 levelled tablespoon of Sumac or the zest of 1 Lemon 
1 levelled teaspoon of milled black peppercorns 
4 tablespoonfuls of extra Virgin Olive oil
Salt to taste

TIPS
  1. Wash your Parlsey in cold water and leave shake off any excess water. 
  2. Leave the Parsley leaves to dry out for about 10 minutes 
  3. Finely and gently slice the Parsley (leaves only) to avoid bruising the herb. 
  4. Remove the seeds and dice the Tomatoes.

METHOD 
Watch how to prepare this healthy Middle Eastern salad below;



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HOMEMADE GHANAIAN CUSTARD RECIPE FROM SCRATCH


Inspired by my childhood obsession with custard, I decided to create this recipe from scratch.
For this recipe it’s imperative to use corn starch and not the local Ghanaian Corn flour.
Please leave comments below on where one can source Corn starch in Ghana below;
For the list of ingredients you will need;

INGREDIENTS 
4 Egg yolks
2 tablespoonfuls of Sugar
4 tablespoonfuls of Corn starch 
Half a teaspoon of Vanilla extract 
750-800ml of semi skimmed or whole milk

TIPS
  1. For a richer consistency use 500 ml of whole milk and 250 ml of double cream
  2. The amount of Sugar to include depends on your personal preference
  3. Consistently stir the mixture to avoid any lumps 
  4. You can strain the mixture before cooking.

METHOD 
Watch how to prepare this classic nostalgic custard recipe from scratch below;



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