It can be boring, tiring and frustrating that we keep repeating foods and dishes, and many times, we are just lost for ideas on what to prepare, meanwhile, the stomach never runs out of asking for more.
One then begins to rack the brain for ideas and many times, gets so fed up that one bursts out and just sits back or stare at the pots, spices, salt, other ingredients and the utensils.
Let’s me say this to you today KOKOFoodies, as much as yes, it is good to have a time table to help you plan your dishes so that you won’t be running out of ideas or having to repeat the same foods constantly, it is a great idea to go out of the boxes of your table and upbringing and spice up your kitchen life with some other delicacy. You should keep learning new recipes and not keep to the ‘Efo Riro’, ‘Egusi’, ‘Stew’ and other soups and dishes alone,
Today, let’s talk about 5 foods, dishes, snacks or delicacies you can digress to, just to change the taste in your house. 1. Pepper Soup: for many people, pepper soup is only meant to be eaten out or at parties, who deceived you? well, if you believe this too, it is not a problem. You just simply need to turn your home to a party or date location once a while and treat yourself/family to something nice and light. Get pepper soup spice and scent leaves at the market or store with whatsoever you will like to make it with (cowtail, catfish, assorted meat or any other type of fish). This won’t cost you more 30 minutes to prepare, I promise. Simply wash the meat, fish or anything you are using, boil with seasoning, salt, onions, curry and thyme and set aside.While boiling, shred and wash the leaves (you may want to improvise with pumpkin leaves if you cannot get scent leaves, just that the aroma and taste will be so different. Nevertheless, you are changing the status quo, rye.. so yh, so be it!) When the meat is done, pour in the ground pepper soup spice, cayenne pepper (ata gun gun) and black pepper and leave to boil for about 3 minutes. (You may also use another pot for water, then pour in the pepper and spice, if you do not want to use the meat stock or the same pot). You may need to add some more water if your pepper soup tastes too concentrated. Add in the leaves (not so much like you use for Efo) and leave to simmer with the residual heat for 2-3 minutes till the aroma fills the room and the leaves are well cooked to eat. If you are using the same pot you used for boiling the meat, you should not add in the meat, if not, you are good to go, your pepper soup is ready!!!
2. Chicken Fries: this fast food is another that is not common to be made at home and costs no fortune to prepare and will help you make use of the left over bread you could have trashed. First wash and slice the chicken into desired length and set aside. The crumble the leftover bread either with your hands (place dry bread in a sealed bag and smash with a rolling pin or pound with mortar and pestle) or with a blender (grind dry bread in blender without water) and sieve (if you want it smoother) and set aside. Whisk eggs and milk in a shallow bowl and in another, combine the bread crumbs, cheese, salt, cayenne pepper, powdered onion, garlic and ginger and mix all together.Now dip the chicken in egg mixture, then in the crumbs mixture, coating all sides of the chicken well as seen above. It is time to fry, heat the oil to frying point, then fry the chicken for 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown Drain with sieve and dish out. If you want to bake, then transfer the coated chicken into greased wire rack baking sheet and bake for about 12-15 minutes or until it turns golden brown, 12-15 minutes. Take this down with smoothie (see recipe below), yogurt or juice of your choice.
Read also:Â Cooking/Culinary Terms Every KOKO Foodie Needs To Know
3. Smoothies: in a typical and average Nigerian home, smoothie is a no-go area, the mom either doesn’t have time to be trying out new things or doesn’t like such eats. Anyway, a trial will so much convince whomsoever. The health benefits of smoothies drew me closer to the amazing drink and since then, I have nor gotten over it. Smoothies is simply a drink made from raw fruit(s) blended together. So, if you wish, blend apple, banana and watermelon together or individually, you’ve got your smoothie. Simply wash the fruits, slice and throw all in a blender. Add in honey and soy milk (you can substitute soy milk with regular milk or any kind of milk) and blend till smooth. That’s just it! The next time you go shopping, get you some fruits and stock them in your refrigerator, you should try a smoothie at home. 4. Fruit Salad: sometimes, you should just have it light, simple, healthy and nutritious – then, fruit salad is your go to. Unlike smoothie, you need no honey nor milk, neither do you need to blend the fruits. Simply wash and slice the fruits, you’re all done! Now sit back and enjoy multi-vitamins and nutrients. 5. Unripe Plantain Porridge: we’ve been having it without oil or so much cooking so, let’s have this with palm oil. If you are used to beans, yam and other porridges available, then plantain porridge should not be a shocker to you. It is so easy to prepare and takes almost the same process as Porridge Yam, just that it doesn’t take longer. Peel and wash the unripe plantain and boil till soft. Once soft, pour in the pepper, palm oil, salt, seasoning and leave to cook further for about 3 minutes, then put in the fish or cowskin and leave to boil for 2 more minutes. You are all caught up and ready!
While boiling, shred and wash the leaves (you may want to improvise with pumpkin leaves if you cannot get scent leaves, just that the aroma and taste will be so different. Nevertheless, you are changing the status quo, rye.. so yh, so be it!) When the meat is done, pour in the ground pepper soup spice, cayenne pepper (ata gun gun) and black pepper and leave to boil for about 3 minutes. (You may also use another pot for water, then pour in the pepper and spice, if you do not want to use the meat stock or the same pot). You may need to add some more water if your pepper soup tastes too concentrated. Add in the leaves (not so much like you use for Efo) and leave to simmer with the residual heat for 2-3 minutes till the aroma fills the room and the leaves are well cooked to eat. If you are using the same pot you used for boiling the meat, you should not add in the meat, if not, you are good to go, your pepper soup is ready!!!
Now dip the chicken in egg mixture, then in the crumbs mixture, coating all sides of the chicken well as seen above. It is time to fry, heat the oil to frying point, then fry the chicken for 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown Drain with sieve and dish out. If you want to bake, then transfer the coated chicken into greased wire rack baking sheet and bake for about 12-15 minutes or until it turns golden brown, 12-15 minutes. Take this down with smoothie (see recipe below), yogurt or juice of your choice.
