Seven years ago when I moved to the Boston area, I attended a program called the Startup Institute to try to break into the tech scene in Boston. I remember talking to a classmate on the last day of that program about my dreams. I envisioned one day having my own space where I could host friends and cook and have a lovely conversation. Recently, I had the pleasure of cooking this Honey Garlic Cilantro Chicken while hosting a friend at my new apartment.
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One of my favorite features of my apartment is my kitchen. Let me tell you…the kitchen is the thing that pushed me over the hill. Originally when I saw the listing for the apartment, I was on the fence about it. But I got a showing and I was desperate so I came reluctantly. Boy! When they say God will not let you miss what is yours…it is my kitchen. It is beautiful. It is spacious. When I made the leek and corn risotto for my friend F. the other day, I had a moment of gratitude. I looked at her sitting on the other side of the granite countertop, and I said a quick prayer of thanks to God.
Continue Reading “Leek and Corn Risotto”Slow Roasted Tomato
Yes, I know that Labor Day has gone by and the world seems to be abandoning summer for fall. But, now is the perfect time to make this slow-roasted tomato. At the end of summer, tomatoes reach their peak sweetness. The vines become heavy, the store shelves become full of vibrant tomatoes and the prices go down. So, now is the best time to buy a bunch of tomatoes and slow-roast them for the fall at least.
Continue Reading “Slow Roasted Tomato”Mama Sunday’s Jollof Rice
I arrived at my godson’s mother’s hospital bedside carrying a bucket of steaming hot jollof rice, a few hours after he was born. Along with the fragrant rice, I made fried chicken and dodo (aka fried sweet plantain). In my Iro and Buba, made out of ankara fabric, I was there to welcome this child into his heritage as a Nigerian boy. He might have been born in America but as his godmother, I intend to keep him connected to his roots. One of the best things about being a Nigerian person is our connection to our foods. Jollof rice, with its long traveling roots, is certainly part of the Nigerian heritage.
Continue Reading “Mama Sunday’s Jollof Rice”Mango Salad With Tomato and Avocado
This mango salad with tomato and avocado is one that I have tested time and time again. I am always tweaking my recipes. Sometimes by the time I am happy with them, the season has passed and I am left wondering why I have nothing to write. This mango salad came to life last summer because I just needed something different to eat. I have been tweaking and eating this so long, I am confident that you will love it. It is the best balance of sweet, savory, and umami.
Continue Reading “Mango Salad With Tomato and Avocado”Sweet and Spicy Soy Glazed Beef Ribs
I wasn’t sure I was going to have an opportunity to make this sweet and spicy soy-glazed beef ribs. The Boston area recently just became hot. When I say hot, I should clarify that this is by the standards of a Boston area resident. The high 80s to low 90s seem hot now. Back in the days, when I lived in California, these same temps always felt so moderate. I guess I am truly a New Englander now. Luckily for me, yesterday, we had a temporary dip in temperature into the 70s and I felt like I could use the oven again. So, I quickly made this sweet and spicy soy glazed beef ribs.
Sweet and Spicy Soy Glazed Beef Ribs
Continue Reading “Sweet and Spicy Soy Glazed Beef Ribs”Pasta in Jammy Tomato Sauce
Making pasta in tomato sauce is almost as old as time. Nothing special really. So why then would I be so excited about publishing a pasta in jammy tomato sauce? Well, the answer to the question is quite obvious once you make it and try this dish yourself.
Continue Reading “Pasta in Jammy Tomato Sauce”Vegan Mushroom Paste
I don’t think it needs to be said that this year has been crazy. We are all living it day-to-day at the moment. For those among us, who are lucky enough to have safe shelter, we are indoors. We wait, patiently on some days, for time to pass and dull out the might that is Coronavirus. It has become a long wait. Amidst all of the turmoil and anxiety, food has become an emotional coping tool. Making this vegan magical mushroom paste is one of the things that brought me so much joy.
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Cooking has always been a comfort to me. In the midst of a raging pandemic, cooking has become an essential self-care tool. In this moment, cooking sometimes is a burden. I have pretty much been cooking all my own meals from scratch. For this vegan Butternut Squash soup with White Beans, I actually cooked the beans. Some days I love it. Cooking is a distraction from the rising infection and death toll. On other days, I wish I had the choice of take-out. But I can’t at the moment because it is not financially prudent.
Continue Reading “Butternut Squash and White Beans Soup”Shrimp in Lemon Butter Sauce
Like half of the world, at this point, I am currently under self-isolation to help control the spread of Coronavirus. This shrimp in lemon butter sauce is a key part of my Day 1 survival strategy. It was just the right amount of luxury for a young woman who is currently out of work and trying really hard not to panic.
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