Tuesday 28 February 2017

Coconut jerk chicken curry ๐Ÿ˜ฎ

If you are as curious as I am, let's go and find out what its all about.

That's a lot  to put together in one meal, then you never know.


Bon appetit

Fally Jay for The Food Hut.  

Friday 24 February 2017

.A quick Egusi soup, student style.

When a typical Nigerian is really hungry, you would likely hear them refer to having a 'proper meal' with 'swallow', for want of a better word.

In my blog of 19th November 2016, I referred to 'Swallow' as Carb based meals made into a mouldable supple form. I guess, they sit well in the tummy for a longer time and keep one going. A similar thing is said of Oat porridge.

So, as a student, Nigerian, you have had serious swotting to do and you don't want sweet oats but spicy and enduring feeding. You miss your Mum ๐Ÿ˜ข,(....now at least)

You can't go home, just yet and you wish you had paid attention when Mum asked you to.
                 Let's do a quick lesson here.


That is 'swallow' made from ... yes, Oatmeal with Egusi soup supporting. See the criss cross there between English and African diets or cultures ? ๐Ÿ˜†.

Things you need

Plain shop brand Oats and a dry blender to grind it into a fine powder

a small Onion, chopped
some palm oil and or sunflower oil and a tin of chopped plum tomatoes
sliced Kale or Frozen packed Spinach
a chicken stock cube
powdered crayfish if you have any or prawns
salt to taste
1 Scotch bonnet or powdered chilli pepper
1 Bell or sweet pepper chopped
Chicken breast, frozen. Chop into dices.
Powdered egusi and some dried bitter leaf (which you might have remembered to pack in your suitcase when leaving home or you can buy from an Afro-Caribbean shop near you) The bitter leaf is optional. It simply adds an extra edge to the taste of the soup.

To make the soup

Heat whatever oil you have gently
Add the chopped onions, powdered crayfish and or prawns, the scotch bonnet, chopped bell pepper, a sprinkling of the dried bitter leaf and the chicken cube.
Add salt to taste.
Stir gently till you get a lovely distinct aroma. (Usually an indication of how your soup would taste)
Pour in the chopped tomatoes, you need this especially if you had no palm oil. Stir fry for a short time and add in the diced chicken continue frying at low heat till chicken and tomatoes are cooked. Add some water to make up the sauce and leave to simmer.

Put your ground egusi in a bowl, add hot water enough to cover it and microwave it for about 2 - 3mins. When done, pour it into the simmering tomato sauce and cook till the egusi is fully thickened. If it is too thick, add a little more water.

Finally, add in handfuls of washed sliced kale or frozen spinach and cook the soup further, stirring lightly, till the vegetable is tender.

To make a moderate sized 'Swallow' mould

Put about two cups of water in a small pot to boil.
Stir in gradually your blended oatmeal.
Keep mixing with a wooden spoon until it just comes together in a supple consistency.
Leave on low heat for about two minutes.
If too thick for your liking, add a bit of hot water and then mix in again after brief cooking, to a lighter consistency.

Serve on a plate and leave to cool. Dish your soup and food is ready!

Bon Appetit and don't forget to go back to your studies after eating. ๐Ÿ˜‰

Fally Jay for The Food Hut. 





Thursday 23 February 2017

Trouble makers in South Africa ๐Ÿ˜‘๐Ÿ˜ฎ

Just when I was about to mouth off that Africans are not 'sweet eaters generally'. Then I get to hear of 'koeksisters' (might as well be 'kicking sisters' for all this sweetness ๐Ÿ˜. That is why I have called them trouble makers).



Anyway, after all the chit chat, let's hear from Imma of Immaculate bites what the sweet treat is all about.

Have a great day ๐Ÿ˜Š


Fally Jay for The Food Hut

Wednesday 22 February 2017

Fish balls: this time Caribbean style.

Hi folks,

Yesterday, I shared a fish ball pepper soup recipe from East Africa. I did suggest it could serve as party food which comes after the main course.

Today, I have a Caribbean recipe for Fish balls which could be used as small chops or starters in your party meal.

Let's join Chris from Caribbeanpot.com


I think it reminds me of some prawn type of small chops we buy from the wholesale Chinese food shops round here.

With this, you can mix your fish recipe to your taste and wow your guests.

Bon Appetit.

Fally Jay for The Food Hut. 

Monday 20 February 2017

Fancy some fish? Let's journey to East Africa with Kadi.

For some of us, it's another discovery day!

I am used to Fresh Fish pepper soup Nigerian style and particularly love to get all and any fleshy bits out of 'the head' ๐Ÿ˜.

Don't worry, Kadi has spared you any such grossness and not used the head in her recipe. 
I can tell how ever it is 'spicy hot๐ŸŒถ๐ŸŒถ!!' 

If you can manage it, it should make an interesting variant on your party table. 
(It contains nuts. ⚠)

Let's join Kadi in the kitchen as she makes Fish Ball pepper soup. 

♡Did you notice the passing on of a heritage taking place in that kitchen? 
Let's all do our bit anyway we can. Don't let children become a microwave generation. 

Become more of an 'Ethnic foodie', cook and eat indigenous and less of processed foods.

Later...

Fally Jay for The Food Hut. 

Friday 17 February 2017

Youth survey: What is your favourite African or Caribbean dish?

What makes it your favourite?
How often do you eat it?
Can you make it yourself?
Would you recommend it to a friend to try for the first time?

How would you categorise yourself?

An 'Ethnic Foodie ๐Ÿ˜Ž' or a 'Hesitant Taster๐Ÿ˜ท'?

Parents, how would you evaluate your young persons? Do you have any proven techniques to help them become more of an 'Ethnic Foodie'?

________________________________________
Students, here's one recipe to get you going whichever category you belong to

http://www.9jafoodie.com/jollof-rice-with-basmati-rice/

_______________________
๐Ÿค” So Ethnic foodie, Hesitant Taster or somewhere in between?

Let's take the discussion to our Facebook page where you can post any responses to questions asked.

This blog shall be reposted on there as well.

Have a great day,

Fally Jay for The Food Hut. 

Tuesday 14 February 2017

Valentine African Style

Hello folks,
Hope you had a great day yesterday.
No fighting, no squabbles, no down in the dumps mood either?. ๐Ÿ˜

Here's something from my friend 'Timi Wedding Trendy's' Facebook timeline.

I think this is guaranteed to be a peace maker, love stirrer and make a lastimg impression on any guests too.๐Ÿ˜Œ

Presenting to you, "Fufu and okro soup". Along with a plate of some select pieces of meat, chicken or fish by the side; 'you will not be forgotten in a hurry'.๐Ÿ˜

That should attract the interest of almost anyone, African or not. 
Even if you sit down to eat this alone, I'm sure you would be smiling to yourself all throughout the meal.
So let's continue to up our game and be more adventurous. 

You can share pictures of your adventures with us here or on our Facebook page 'Fally's Food Hut @FJAfrocaribbeanfoods' with the #lunch/breakfast/dinnerMycountry*style. For example, for the above it would be #dinnerNigerianstyle.

Awaiting your pics๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ‘

Fally Jay for The Food Hut.


Wednesday 8 February 2017

SOMALIA; News and Food

Somalia was in the news today.

Its citizens gained a new President, Muhammed Abdullahi Famarjo, as a result of a recent electoral ballot. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-38904663


We celebrate with them and wish them all the best, especially in this day and age when some nations don't seem to know if they are going backwards or forwards.

In tribute to them, today we shall be taking a look at a Somalian 'one pot rice and goat meat' dish.
Our chefs are Abdullahi and Leila of Xawaash Restaurant YouTube channel and they are resident in Canada.


A peculiar spice mix is used amongst other stand alone spices called 'Xawaash'. It is said to be highly aromatic. Forget coriander, parsley and other fresh herbs. A lot of dried seed or stick spices were used. See for yourself in the video above. It's always good to learn something new.

Somalia is preparing to go through a new experience too.๐Ÿ™

Thanks,

Fally Jay for The Food Hut.


Sunday 5 February 2017

K-spice, Nkwobi and Professor Johnbull.

Judging by the success of this Nigerian TV production, sponsored by 'Globacom network'
Mr Olaniyi Olaitan's restaurant would have been besieged in real life.

We have our own Nkwobi joint here. Don't forget...


Enjoy the movie, buy some Nkwobi. ๐Ÿ˜…

Fally Jay for The Food Hut

Friday 3 February 2017

Callaloo again! In a modified Caribbean meal.

Hi folks. Good morning.

Our friend Chris in the video from caribbeanpot.com does an interesting vegetable mix. Traditionally, made with salted cod but this time with ham.

I suppose this could lure the little ones into enjoying greens. You also realise that the ham is therefore interchangeable with any fish or meat of your choice.

Neither palm oil or vegetable oil is used and in the video we see 'Callaloo' live in the garden! Nigerians especially will realise that Callaloo is already our 'home boy' or 'home veg' ๐Ÿ˜.

Do enjoy the video.


Have a great weekend 

- Fally Jay from The Food Hut. 

NEWS!!!

Facebook business page & Website 
(fallysfoodhut.com)
Opening soon!

Your opportunity to create your communal food forums, learn from other communities & share tips with one another.


-Come chop show rules-

  • The participant has to record, at least in part, a video of the live cooking demonstration
  • The meal has to be at least 80% authentic African/ Caribbean
  • Indigenous ingredients should be introduced to the voting audience in terms they can understand.
  • Give viewers guidance on sourcing the ingredients used.
  • Make an innovative display of the cooked food.
  • Choose a suitable audience of newcomers to appreciate the meal cooked and give their own ratings then.


Marks will be given out of 5 (1๐Ÿ‘Ž 5๐Ÿ‘)
- for the display or food presentation
- for the cooking lesson content
- for the choice of tasters
- for what we perceive to be the final taste of the food*

Voters and contestants alike need to like/ follow/ subscribe to an active platform of Fally's Food Hut.

So, representatives of African and Caribbean nations, 
ARISE..
and show your face
Show your hand
Show us what you have been enjoying.

We are waiting..

Fally Jay for The Food Hut.