Monday, 15 August 2016

DECONSTRUCTED BAKED WAAKYE


Serves 8
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 1hr

Waakye

Ingredients; 
600g black-eyed beans soaked overnight 
800ml of water
300g of washed brown Ghanaian rice,
1 teaspoon of salt
600ml of coconut milk.
3 tablespoons of Coconut oil
3 tablespoonfuls, of blended green chillies and shallot paste (Blend 10 green chillies and 1 large shallot together). 




Method;
In a clay or casserole pot, add the soaked beans, 800ml of water and place on a medium heat. 
Cook the beans for 25 minutes and pre heat your oven to 200*c
Add the washed brown rice, coconut milk, coconut oil, chilli paste, salt and pepper. Mix everything together, cover with the lid and place in the pre heated oven for 25-35 minutes. 

Tip:
You can add Kaun (edible potash) to the beans for a quicker cooking time. 



Baked Lamb

Prep time: 25min
Cooking Time: 1hr 30 min

Ingredients

1kg shoulder or leg of arm, cut into chunks. 
3 cloves of Garlic
10 green chillies. 
2 Onions
30g of Ginger
Cumin seeds
Shrimp stock cube
Salt and Pepper to taste

Method

Pre heat your oven to 200*c
Blend the Garlic, Ginger, Chillies, Onions, Cumin seeds and shrimp stock together to as paste. 
In a bowl, marinade the Lamb with the spice mix for at least an hour. 
Transfer the Lamb to a clay pot or casserole dish, cover with its lid and bake for about an hour and a half. Separate the meat and stock and set aside. 



Waakye Stew

Prep time: 25min
Cooking Time: 42 min 




Ingredients

1kg of blended tomatoes 
125g of Tomato purée mixed with 150ml of water to a smooth paste. 
Blend 1 shallot and 10 green chillies together
Blend 1 shallot, 2 cloves of garlic and 30g of Ginger together
2 large sliced Onions
1 large sliced onion set aside
150ml of Groundnut / Sunflower / Coconut oil
1 optional shrimp stock cube
20g of chopped coriander
Salt and pepper to taste

Method

Add the oil to a saucepan and place on a medium heat. 
Add the sliced onions and fry for 4 - 5 minutes.  
Add 3 tablespoons of the green chilli paste and the Ginger mix together. 
Fry for about 5-6minutes, until it turns into a marmalade texture. 
Add the tomato purée and cook till it turns into a paste. This should take about 5-6 minutes. 
Add the blended tomatoes and shrimp stock. Stir till well combined; reduce the heat to a low setting and cook for 25 minutes, by which time the sauce has reduced by half. 
Add the Lamb stock and cook for a further 2 minutes. Turn the heat off; add the sliced onions and coriander. Stir and set aside. 

Tip:
Cook for a further 15 minutes, constantly stirring, if you want a darker and richer sauce. 


Fried Fish

Prep time: 20 min

Cooking Time: 18 minutes

Ingredients; 

8 mediums sized (Sea Bream/Red Snapper/Sea Bass) cleaned, gutted and cut in half, by your fishmonger. 
Flour
1 litre of Sunflower oil
Salt and freshly milled black pepper to taste

Method
Tip: For a crispy skinned, fried fish, wipe the fish with a kitchen paper towel (to get rid of any moisture), add salt to the skin and leave to rest for 5 minutes before frying. The use of flour also helps with achieving a crispy-fired fish. 
Add the oil to a frying pan or wok and place on a medium heat. 
Add the flour, salt and black pepper to a bowl and set aside. 
Test the oil is hot, by adding a tiny cube of bread; if the bread sizzles, the oil is ready. 
Toss each fish in flour, till it's completely covered (shake off any excess flour) and carefully drop it into the hot oil. (Please take all necessary precautions, when dealing with hot oil). 
Fry on each side for 3 minutes and remove it from the oil. Place the fish on a Kitchen blotting paper (to absorb any excess oil). 

Tip
Ensure the oil is hot at (180*c or 350 degrees Fahrenheit) for a crispy, perfectly fried fish. If the oil is too hot the fish will burn and if it's not hot enough it will absorb the oil. 


Basil oil




Ingredients;

300g of fresh basil
Half a teaspoon of Sauvignon Blanc vinegar or malt vinegar. 
Half a teaspoon of salt
500ml of olive oil, (please don't use extra virgin olive oil) as it has a stronger taste and might over power the basil. 

Method 


Wash your Basil under cold water. 
Boil your kettle with water and pour the hot water in a bowl. 
Dip the basil with stalks into the hot water for 30 seconds. 
Remove the basil from the hot water and quickly dip it into ice-cold water for about 2 minutes. 
Squeeze the water from the basil and place it in a blender. 
Add the oil, vinegar and salt 
Blend into a smooth mixture. 
Using a muslin cloth and a smooth colander, placed over a bowl, pour the basil mixture into the muslin covered colander. 
Leave it to gently strain (it can take up to 12 hrs) and discard the chaff. 
Pour your basil scented oil in a mason jar and refrigerate. 


Scented Gari Fortor

Ingredients 

200g of Gari
75 ml of cold water
50ml of the basil oil
Salt and pepper to taste.

Method

In a bowl, add the Gari, salt, water and mix well. Add the basil oil, pepper and mix till well combined. 

Spaghetti (Talia)& Boiled Egg

Ingredients
100g of spaghetti
1 teaspoonful of salt
400ml of water

Method
Depending on the type of Spaghetti you purchase (dry or fresh), follow the instructions on the package. 
Place your egg in a saucepan, cover with water and cook for 3-5 minutes (depending on how you like your eggs cooked). The lesser time of cooking produces a runnier the yolk. 
Once your spaghetti is cooked, add a tablespoon of your Waakye stew and egg.  Mix till well combined and you're ready to serve. 

To serve; 

Serve in a banana leaf / plate or slate as below.


Enjoy!
All photos and recipes are by the owner of this blog. 





Sunday, 14 August 2016

COCONUT MATCHA BITES

A journey of healthy eating is a lifestyle change and I try to do that 80% of the time coupled with a weakness for most things crunchy. 

I catch myself finishing about 250g of nuts on a daily basis hence I decided to curb the quantity by incorporating them into a healthy recipe .

The inclusion of Matcha powder to the recipe not only lends its distinctive green colour but healthy benefits of Vitamins A & C, great antioxidant properties, natural detoxifier, increases ones metabolic rate (which aids weightloss), lowers cholesterol to mention but a few. 


Please don't consume more than 2 balls a day for a healthier lifestyle. Enjoy the recipe and please leave a comment about your experience. 
You can get Matcha at most health shops or online.

Tip
Best to use organic products if possible.

Ingredients 
1 tablespoonful of Matcha powder 
1 tablespoon of cold pressed Coconut oil
300g of desicated Coconut 
80g of Cashew nuts
6 organic Brazilian nuts
100g of Almond flakes
1 tablespoon of Maple syrup 

Method 
Add all the ingredients to a food processor and pulse to a rough paste.

Transfer to a bowl and with clean hands roll into sizeable balls.

Place in an air tight container and refrigerate. (Ideal for freezing , for 3 months maximum). This will keep for 5 days in the fridge and the recipe makes 10 sizeable balls. 


Enjoy as a snack or add to your oats, cereals , Yoghurt, Ice cream,Porridge Oats, rice porridge etc

Rice porridge with Coconut & Matcha sprinkle 

All photos and recipe are by owner of this blog. 

Saturday, 13 August 2016

Dine with Chef Fafa


Imagine seating in a rustic English Pub watching Chef Fafa rustle each individual dish, that is presented to you?


Imagine the waitress explaining the concept of the experience as each dish is presented to you beautifully.


Imagine exploring familiar flavours, different textures and new flavours as you polish off each plate.

Turn your imagination into a reality and join Chef Fafa on (27th of August, 2016) an elaborate 8 course meal in a four hour seating. 
The Lunch experience starts from 1pm till 5pm and Dinner starts at 7pm till 11pm. 


You've followed my recipes, cookery show, YouTube page, now book a ticket and enjoy dishes like Koobi Bocconcini , Cocoyam & Orange soup and more creative African dishes.

Tickets are available on my website http://www.ndudu.co.uk

Please note there are limited number of tickets available, hence early purchase is highly recommended.

Don't hesitate to spread the word and share.

Date:
27th of August, 2016

Time: 
Lunch 1pm prompt till 5pm
Dinner 7pm prompt till 11pm

Address:
The Bloated Mallard
147 High Street
Hampton Hill
TW12 1NJ

Train/Bus: 
From Waterloo get the train to Fulwell. Get the bus R70 to Bloated Mallard.

Menu:

Chilled Cocoyam & Orange soup with Lemon Thyme infused Cocoyam crisps (V)
*

Herb infused Koobi (Salted dried Tilapia) with Mozzarella Bocconcini & Apple sauce
*

Coconut infused chilled black-eyed beans soup served with herby Gari toppings (V)
*

Plantain cake with a Ginger infused white Crabmeat topping
*

Sticky Jollof rice with Beef Ragu and Suya Toppings
*

Yam and spiced Paneer Sag (V)
*

Agbeli Kaklo with an Applesauce & Chilli flakes topping
*

Panacotta with grilled Mangoes. (V)

*



Monday, 1 August 2016

A Sunflower grace ( A note to myself)


'Like the Sunflower that follows 
every moment of the sun, 
so I turn towards you,
 to follow you my God'..., 
is a tune I've been humming all day, coupled with a display of my favourite flowers, 'Sunflowers'.

Today is my birthday and I have many reasons to be happy and at the same time reasons to be unhappy. I promised to celebrate my strength and tenacity today. 

Life definitely has served me with both hot and cold teas. One minute I'm dealing with a personal tragedy and the next a great opportunity that sweeps me off my feet.



 I push myself to extreme limits at the detriment of my health  to ensure I put my best foot forward. Most times it works and at times it falls apart, but I will never give up. 



It's the mixture of these contrasting experiences that makes me smile.  A smile which means 'Amen',  'I believe', 'I have faith', hence i'll always smile. 




I love that I can cry my heart out, wipe away my tears , wear my smile and carry on as normal. I never knew how strong I was until I had no other choice. I know I'm able to achieve this by my faith in God. 


The most important lesson I've learnt this year is that, help always comes from  unlikely sources. 


I've been bowled over by the kindness of strangers, acquaintances, friends and family. You've all seen me through some tough times, partook in my achievements and allowed me to be myself (the no nonsense and blunt self). 



I write this as a reminder that inspite of everything I'm still me , a proud African,  a crazy foodie, a straight talking friend, loyal, a short tempered witty lady , a forgiving  person and an eccentric individual. 

Thank you all for the well wishes and your unflinching support . 

With Love,
Mrs. Antoinette Fafa Gilbert
(Ndudu by Fafa). 

Wednesday, 1 June 2016

The Palm Wine hug (La Villa Boutique)


Part 2 of the Palm Wine hug series...

The hugs , chuckles, never ending chit chats from my Mum and cousins were intoxicating. 
We had to wait for my husband, who arrived on a later flight (work obligations). I quickly said my byes for now to my family as my husband and I followed Melissa to La Villa Boutique (sponsors of The African Chefs tour) where we'll spend a week. 
The air conditioned car became a necessity and the drive from the airport to the hotel was intriguing. I could hardly recognise the roads as there were new developments and changes since my last visit.  
I couldn't wait to explore the city of Accra, however I knew I had limited time before the show and planning was essential. 



We checked into the hotel about 11pm and met the owners (the descendants of the first generation of Italians to settle in Ghana), the curt introduction from Melissa was appreciated (after a long day), was met a handshake and pleasantries. 
A heart full conversation ensued about Italy as I enthused about Sicily, (my favourite place) touching on Bronte Pistachios from Catania and the amazing Arancini balls; A far cry from my hesitation of getting into a long conversation.



A chilled Club beer (my favourite beer in Ghana) with Beef Suya was a perfect addition to our chats late into the night. We retired to bed with the noise of crickets, woke up to the noise of a Cockerel from a nearby home and the sounds of birds chirping. 
I quickly made us a cup of mint tea as we sat on the balcony to enjoy the beautiful natural noise and watch the sun rise. The serene atmosphere was quickly disturbed  and replaced with the sound of engines and tooting of the local bus (locally known as Trotro). This was going to be our home for the next seven days and I was impressed by the surroundings.


Breakfast was my favourite part at the hotel and I enjoyed the varied options of fruits, Teas, Waakye (A Ghanaian dish made from rice and beans) English and Italian breakfast on display. Breakfast was fun especially when I ordered for my scrambled eggs (insisting I needed it creamy and not overdone) or an omelette coupled with little chit chats with the Chef. 


The occasional appearance of a Ghanaian celebrity and the opportunity to see who else stayed in the hotel was intriguing. 



What I particularly loved about the hotel was their love for the Arts , particularly the beautiful display of paintings , sculptures and artefacts from local artists. Naturally,  purchasing a few paintings and sculptures was a must, one that's proudly displayed in our home. 


The pool at the hotel has an aquamarine hue which projects a romantic and exotic atmosphere, with Palm trees dotted around it . 

The garden is breathtaking and well thought of and looked after.  I'm a keen gardener and did appreciate their efforts of maintaining such beautiful garden.

The hotel is perfectly located in Osu , a busy suburb of Accra filled with restaurants, street food hawkers, night clubs, Wine Bars, Cafes, boutiques etc. 

The cost of staying at La Villa Boutique hotel is value for money and the interiors of the rooms are beautifully designed. 

The service offered and the friendliness of the staff made my stay a memorable one.   I'll definitely stay there again.