Noodles Stir-Fry

Stir frying is a cooking technique which is of Chinese origin but is now common amongst people of the world. Stir fried meals, known in Chinese as 'Chow Mein', requires high heat and therefore is typically cooked in a Wok (a concave frying pan which evenly distributes heat)and requires very little oil (thus its health advantage and popularity).  Due to the high level of heat used in this technique of cooking the preparation of ingredients is done before the cooking begins. It also demands that the chef constantly tosses or stirs the food to prevent burning. 

Ingredients
1 Pack Amoy Egg Noodles (250g)
Chicken Breast 0.84kg
2 Medium size Green pepper
4 Large Carrots
2 Handful Green Peas
Cabbage
Seasoning Cube
2 Cloves of Garlic (Use 1 teaspoon minced garlic)
3 Seeds Red Pepper (Ata Rodo)
6 Red Chilli (Sombo)
1 Large Spring Onions
1 Tin Mushroom (If available. I did not add in mine)
Curry Powder
Seasoning Cube (I used Knorr)
3/4 Cup Chicken Broth
2 Table spoon Cornflour
3 Teaspoons Dark Soy Sauce
Canola Oil/Sesame Oil 
1/2 Root of Ginger

Instructions
1. If frozen, let Chicken Breast thaw. Then beat with a meat hammer or rolling pin to reduce size of meat. Alternatively, the meat could be divided in two along its length. This is done to ensure that the interior of the meat cooks easily. 

2. To marinade Chicken Breast, pour 1 cup of water in a big bowl, add 3 tablespoons of Soy Sauce, Seasoning Cube (to taste), Salt (to taste), introduce Chicken Breast, then combine properly. Cover with a marinading hood or cling film and keep in the fridge overnight.

Tip: I usually marinade my meat for longer - a day and half - to ensure that the seasoning penetrates the interior.

3. Chop Green Peas, Carrots, Green Onions, cabbage and Green Pepper separately to bite-able sizes. Also chop marinaded chicken breast into chunks. Mince garlic and ginger. Remove seeds of Chili, then slice. Also slice the Red Pepper (Ata Rodo). Set aside.

4. To prepare noodles, follow direction on packet. I heated up water in a pot added the noodles and let it cook till al dente before turning out water and rinsing with cold water to stop the cooking process.

5. Turn on the gas to high. When the wok is hot, turn in 2 table spoons of canola oil/sesame oil, wait till the oil warms up (this should take seconds if the pan is hot) then introduce 2 teaspoons Curry, minced Ginger and Garlic.

6. Stir for 10 seconds to infuse scent into oil, then add chicken breast chunks.

7. Cook one side until brown then flip over. When cooked remove chicken from pan and set side. Cover with a foil to keep warm.

8. Add little oil if required. Add vegetables starting with the one that takes longest to cook. I added mine in this order: Green Peas, Carrot, Green Pepper, Spring Onions, cabbage and Red Pepper. Add season cube and salt to taste.

Tip: Continuously stir/toss to prevent burning. Alternate between high and medium heat.

9. Re-introduce chicken breast and fry for a minute.

10. Add the cornflour to the chicken broth. Mix until it forms a slurry. Turn in a dip pot and bring to a boil. It should thicken. If too light, add a little more of cornflour. 

11. Turn in fried mixture and leave to simmer for a minute.

12. Add noodles and combine thoroughly. 

13. Taste for seasoning. Add more if required.

14. Serve immediately.

Note: Although a this dish is better prepared using a Wok, a nonstick frying pan can also be used with loads of caution (Like I did, although I have a Wok now. Yay! Thanks Del P). 

The Christ Factor

Hey people! Happy Holidays!

Yesterday I got loads of messages wishing me and my family well as we celebrated the Christmas.   Really appreciated the goodwill messages but made it a point of duty to correct a reoccuring error - the use of 'Xmas' as a short form for 'Christmas'.

'Christmas' and 'Xmas' are not one and the same thing. The reason why we celebrate is not unknown as in an equation where we are required to find  'X'. It is known that the reason for the season is 'Christ'. We celebrate his birth because his death and resurrection guaranteed our redemption and guarantees the preservation of our souls. 

Therefore, if the reason why we celebrate is Christ and not 'X' it only follows that we call the day/season Christmas and not Xmas. Lets celebrate the 'Christ' factor, not 'X' factor.

A Life Style of Gratitude

A few days ago, I felt the need to make a CD compilation of hymns that I love and went about doing exactly that. The first hymn that came to mind was "There Shall Be Showers of Blessing". I fell in love with this hymn when I was studying for my postgraduate degree and I had to attend The Redeem Christian Church of God (RCCG) where it was, and still is, their custom to sing a hymn every Sunday service. I wanted to get the lyrics off the internet because I do not know the hymn word for word and then I stumbled upon a comment by another reader. His comment gave me a new perspective about what it means to be grateful and indeed made me love the hymn even more.

There Shall Be Showers of Blessing

There shall be showers of blessing:
This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
Sent from the Savior above.

Chorus: Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need;
Mercy-drops round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.

There shall be showers of blessing
Precious reviving again;
Over the hills and the valleys,
Sound of abundance of rain.

There shall be showers of blessing;
Send them upon us, O Lord!
Grant to us now a refreshing;
Come, and now honor Thy Word.

There shall be showers of blessing;
O that today they might fall,
Now as to God we’re confessing,
Now as on Jesus we call!

There shall be showers of blessing,
If we but trust and obey;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
If we let God have His way.

Most times we spend our time ignoring the 'mercy-drops' God has sent to us in the meantime, because our focus in on the blessings we rather God shower on us at the moment. We often times forget that it is when we are thankful for these 'mercy-drops' (little) that the floodgates of heaven will be opened up to guarantee us a much more bountiful harvest. We forget that our gratitude is the water that gives result to the seed of our prayers.

At the beginning of the year, we had so many aspirations, wishes, dreams and desires. Some came to pass, others did not. However, our focus should not be on what we hoped for that did not manifest, but on that we prayed for and was answered, as well as those that were freely given to us even when we did not ask. Let us rejoice and make joyful sounds unto the Lord because we serve a God who is STRONG and MIGHTY and is ABLE to DO  exceedingly abundantly above ALL we can ever ask or imagine! Rejoice, again I say, Rejoice because although misfortunes we do not understand may have come our way, God's word tells us that His plans for us is to prosper us and to give us a hope and a future.

How I Spent My Weekend

Happy Tuesday all. First I must apologise for not updating you all about the happenings in my life for the last two weeks (can't believe I stayed away that long!). It was as a result of a very hectic work and 'life schedule'. Also, these Nigerian networks have been failing me as well; bad network providers. Mschew!!! Not mentioning names because they are practically all the same.  Forgiven? 

Okay, on to business.  Last week I was opportune to be the maid of honour at a friend's wedding. Myself and Monica go way back to high school and was pleasantly surprised when she asked me to be her 'right hand woman' (that's a nice way of saying 'ekaette') at her wedding...lol. The colours for the occasion were coral, blue and silver; given the liberty to pick what I wanted to wear I decided to go with a peach mono strap dress and a silver shoe. The traditional wedding was on Thursday and the white Saturday.View pictures below.

The Traditional Wedding

The White Wedding Ceremoy

You like? Drop comments below, would like to know your thoughts. 

Moist Apple and Sultana Cake Recipe

Happy Monday y'all! How was your weekend? Mine was short ;) 

I made this awesome goodness earlier this month and it was in my sister's words "the best cake I have ever made". In the spirit of Christmas, I have decided to share this recipe with you all. Enjoy.

Ingredients

323g All Purpose Flour

163g Brown Sugar (Alternate with Caster Sugar)
125g Butter
3 Medium-size Eggs
3 Large Apples (Decored, skinned and diced)
Sultana/Raisins/Mixed Fruits (Be liberal)
2 Teaspoon Bi-carbonate of Soda

1/2 Teaspoon of Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Nutmeg
2 Teaspoon Cinnamon
1/2 Nutmeg

1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

150ml Milk (I used Peak Milk)

Instructions

1. Melt butter and sugar in a pan on low heat. When melted turn off heat and leave to cool for 3-5 minutes.

2. Add vanilla and eggs. Beat until creamy.

3. Combine all dry ingredients. Sift to introduce air in the flour and to help ingredients combine properly.

Tip: I sifted thrice. Sifting flour helps aerate it changing the final texture of cake, it also helps the flour absorbs liquid more evenly. There is however a dispute over these claims; scientists are adamant about the need to sieve flour for recipe to add air because it is believed to be of no value. Nevertheless, I sift mine because 'what of if they are wrong and it does add value?' and of course, it cost me nothing but little time which I don't mind sacrificing.

4. Add dry ingredients and thoroughly combine with a spatula.

5. Add apple and sultana/raisins/mixed fruits.

Tip: Add peanuts, almonds and glazed cherry to give a richer flavour. 

5. Grease a medium size pan with butter and dust off with flour.
Turn mixture into it.

6. Pre-heat oven and toss cake in.

Caveat: I cannot tell you the temperature to use because I do not have an oven thermometer and my oven does not have an automatic temperature reader (sad, right? :( ). Also, I cannot tell you exactly how long I left the cake in the oven because I tossed it in and went to my room to chill.

7. Bake till you smell the cake getting burnt - like in my case...lmao, or till an inserted skewer comes out clean.

If you try out this recipe, please do leave a comment below to tell us how it went. Also if you have your own style of preparation, drop a note for us as well. Cheers!

Hairsense!

There is a hair revolution amongst ladies of colour in the western world and this revolution gathered momentum to the extent that in the last decade or so, it has spread to Nigeria and I have bought, rather, I am buying into this trend. I have decided to carry my natural hair although I am still undecided about what route to take -big chop vs transition. Mind you, my reason is not related in a bit to some of the central ideas behind the movement like black power e.t.c but rather to the fashion side of it.

For the last month/couple of weeks I have been on my natural hair to the extent that a friend who could care less about my hair had to ask (in pidgin) "when you go do your hair"? Due to his prompt, I decided to think of what hairdo to wear. I wanted something different from the regular extension and braids hence decided to go for Mali braid/ kinky braid after get hairspiration from a youtube video.

So I got my hair on! and ever since I have gotten either a 'wow! I love your hair' or 'what kinda hair is this?' comment. Got a lot, I mean, a loooooooooooottt of love from my church family while I got the latter reaction from my sister. Below are some of my looks. Like it? Like it not??? Lemme know. ;)

My Style: Cambridge Satchel Company Bag

As mentioned in my inaugural post, I consider myself rather a stylista than a fashionista because I take on trends and tweak them to what I am comfortable with. Most times it is good to invest in one's wardrobe because as a wise man - Archbishop Benson Idahosa - once implied, the way we dress has a direct correlation with how we will be addressed. So every now and then especially when my supplier (my eldest sister) returns from her international 'market' trip I update my wardrobe; I am her number one customer and model...haha.

For some time now my major wardrobe target has been to acquire a Cambridge Satchel bag. I totally loveeee this piece because, I love it and more so because it is made of genuine leather. Wow!!! Don't we all just love the smell of leather. 

Bag of Life!!!

Using the signature word of an ex-colleague I would say that " this satchel is SEXY!!!"...lol and the founder of the this satchel company deserves the title 'baddest guy ever liveth'! This satchel is soooooo sexy that I can't seem to get it off my mind and so, in the absence of the real thing my head has been working overtime styling the bag on some imaginary outfits *covers face*. Today am going to share with you two out of my numerous styles.

For the first look I decided to go for something corporate. A dark red long-line blazers worn over a light chiffon collar shirt on a black peg leg pants. Black and red colour blocked mid-heel pointies; bold neck piece, earring and bracelet to accent the outfit; Cambridge Satchel Company bag  

The second look is a casual outfit that could be worn on a day off to the mall, when hanging out with friends or even on a casual date. The centre piece is an easy-breezy parsley dress worn with tan brogues and matching Cambridge Satchel Company leather croc music bag. Toss on a shawl to cover neck line, a metallic belt to highlight the dress and a straw fedora hat to complete the look. Off you go!!!

What do you think about my style? How will you style a Cambridge Satchel Company bag?  

Easy-Peasy Breakfast: Omelette

Happy Wednesday y'all! I had a relaxing weekend but the week has been a bit busy hence my inability to provide update of my activities.

Last Sunday we (my sister and I) received a very special 'August visitor' for breakfast. When he was en-route my sister called to ask what he wanted to have and he requested for English breakfast (tweaked to naija style) - Bread, Omelette and tea. So, Mr. August visitor isn't a personal friend and I was only meeting him for the first time, however information reaching me was that he is a great cook. In this light,I was out to impress if not my sister would have had my head on a stake...lol. 

Luckily enough the day before I had gone grocery shopping, so we had fresh veggies in stock and bacon. So I set out to prepare my Omelette.

Ingredients 

1 Small Red Onions

3 Seeds Fresh Pepper (I used Sokoto pepper which is very spicy) 

3 Firm Medium size Tomatoes

1 Leafy Spring Onions

1 Large Green Pepper

2 Medium size Carrots

A handful of Runner Beans

4 Eggs

Seasoning Cube, to taste (I used Knorr)

Salt, to taste

4 Tablespoon Canola Oil (substitute with Olive Oil/Vegetable Oil)

Preparation

1. Scrape off flesh of Carrots with a potato peeler and remove top and bottom with knife. Julianne carrots to enable fast cooking(Julienne: A style of cutting food into thin strips).

2. Wash and cut all other fresh ingredients into bits.

3. Put the oil into a pan and turn up heat toss in onions and pepper. Allow to fry for 1 minute. Then add tomatoes.

Note: You will have to stir continuously to prevent burning.

4. When tomatoes are have broken down and runner beans and carrot. This will enable the newly added ingredients to sip in the juice of the tomatoes while frying at the same time. 

5. Add seasoning cube and salt to taste.

5. When almost tender, add green pepper. Also add seasoning and salt if required.

Note: Feel free to reduce heat from high to medium if veggies begin to burn. Also you may have to add more oil as cooking requires.

6. Break eggs into a bowl add little salt, seasoning (Be careful, remember we have already seasoned veggies previously and adding too much seasoning to eggs will make it salty. If seasoning in veggies is adequate then you can skip this bit) and whisk. Turn mixture into pan. 

Note: Ensure there is enough oil to fry the eggs before adding them, if not add as required.

7. Reduce the heat to low/medium so that the egg can cook through. Use your frying spoon to shift already solid egg so the liquid bit can get to the pan.

8. When every bit is solid and cooked, turn off heat.

Note: I would advice that you use a smaller diametre pan so that the omelette will come out fuller. Mine was a bit thin. Also you can add shredded bacon and sliced hot dogs to the mixture to make it highly proteinous.

9. Serve. I sliced my omelette into sections like a pizza to aid serving.

Looks yummy right?!

Did you try this recipe? How did it turn out? Or do you have a special way of preparing your omelette? Please share.

Ambassadorial Scoop

I schooled at the great Benson Idahosa University (2003-2007) and I currently work at the same institution. Today as always, Benson Idahosa University set the pace for others to follow with the receipt of the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Uriel Palti.

The programme began with the Nigerian anthem, followed by the Israeli and Benson Idahosa University anthem led by the choir. The Israeli anthem was perfectly rendered by a male and female soloist from the choir impressing the ambassador (in my mind I was just praying that they were not yarning nonsense...lol. I was so impressed when it was noted that they were on point) so much that he invited them up stage for an ambassadorial handshake. Can you beat that! :p

                                                Our dear choir in their robe

So you thought the Israeli anthem was an easy-peasy task? You try singing it and I do not mean the English version. Good luck!

Uriel Palti's expressed excitement to have been invited to the University. He also mentioned that there was great promise of forging a tripartite relationship between the university, the Edo State government and the Israeli government. He spoke on " The Middle East Peace Process and Implications for Nigeria".

In about an hour the programme was ended and the vote of thanks was given by the Chairman of the programme planning committee, Dr. Sam Guobadia. That was not before the the International Studies and Diplomacy students (my students ;) )represented by their Executive Council presented the ambassador an award for his contribution  to peacekeeping world over (I was soooooo proud of my students). 

THE END (More pictures below)

The Photographer...hehehehe 

 A Cross-section of I.S.D students

Honourable Commisioner for Agriculture, representing the Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomole 

They practically screamed at me for stepping on the red carpet before the arrival of the ambassador and swept the 'dirt' from my shoes off the rug even though I did not quite see any....hmmmmn 

Junkie Alert!

Junk.ie /jngk/
[noun] One who has an insatiable interest or devotion.

I consider my self a 'Primark' junkie. Although loads of Nigerians (inclusive of those who have never crossed the borders of this country (not judging though)) discriminate unjustly against this brand because it is considered low end, I am favourably disposed towards them for the exact same reason!!!

One staple I always re-stock all year round are my flats and because I have flat feet that hurts like crazy whenever I wear uncomfortable shoes, I usually rather put on straight-out flats with no heels whatsoever. Where do I have guarantee to find them? Primark!!! I can rightfully say that all Primark products are not all ridiculously cheap and of low quality.

My number one fashion rule is "if you are not comfortable in it, don't wear it". If Primark helps me achieve this, then yeah I am gonna Primark-shop till I drop! Yimu :p to all those who are like "Primark?!" with disgust on their face.  Lmao. 

My new supplies and the great news is that they cost me less than 30 quids. Can't wait to start rocking these babies especially my Brogues; 'man shoes' as called by my sister