Showing posts with label KitchenAid. Show all posts
Showing posts with label KitchenAid. Show all posts

Friday, 1 June 2012

A Dress for Kofo



I have finally found a place in Lagos. Phew! It's been a real eye opener! I can now finally bring Kofo home. Yesterday as I was placing a few things in the kitchen I marked the spot Kofo would sit looking pretty. To look her best I am going to get Meera to make something for her to wear. She doesn't know it yet!

Meera makes beautiful crocheted items, from bags to rosettes. She has got an amazing talent. She will be showcasing her work in Abuja tomorrow. So if you are in Abuja go check her out.

I think a lovely Vera Wang replica dress for Kofo would do ...

Date: 2nd June, 2012
Time: 10am - 5pm
Venue: Tobix Recreational Park, Along Gwarinpa - Banex Express Road, Abuja

Thursday, 19 April 2012

Hello From Lagos, Nigeria

I have recently moved continents, Africa to be precise. I can tell you it’s not for the faint hearted! First I had to deal with packing all the things I have acquired in the last 13 years. I had to decide what to keep and what to throw away or give to charity. Wifey was quite brutal when it came to things to keep. I wanted to keep some things just for sentimental reasons but she was having none of it. She seemed quite detached, like she had no heart. Then again they were my belongings not hers.

I found saying goodbye quite hard so the way I dealt with that was not to make a big deal about my move. I didn’t have a certain date until the very last minute. I tried not to have a proper send off party or leaving do drinks. I just couldn’t deal with it all. As I sit here typing, I realized what a good idea it was for me not to make a big deal about my move. I miss Aberdeen though. Terribly! After all the UK was my home for 13 years. It’s the simple things I miss. Taking a walk home or the shops without being harassed by traffic, okada drivers and flies! Sitting in Starbuck and just staring idly and of course Marks and Spencer. Sigh! And let’s not get me started on the people I miss. Sob sob sob…

I miss having my things around me. The cookbooks, rack of spices and Kofo. You know what I mean, familiar things around. I am currently living out of four suitcases. Highly annoying! Some of my things are with my parents in Abuja and my whole kitchen is in a friend store.

Moving to Lagos has its perks though. I was going to say weather but right now I am not convinced this kind of heat is a perk! I am amongst good friends and family so it’s less lonely. Cheap fuel and at this very moment I am eating yam (4 thick slices) and egg sauce that cost me less than a pound! At this rate I might need to employ the services of a personal trainer.

Opposite the office there is Falomo Bridge where I hear they sell huge prawns and fresh fish underneath it, somewhere I look forward to going to because a few days ago I went to a supermarket to buy prawns for the pasta I was craving. I thought it was a joke when I saw the price. I substituted the prawns with chicken instead. I will go to Falomo Bridge with my camera and share the pictures with you guys.

I need you guys to bear with me as I try and settle down. I am still very much committed to this blog and I will try and share my food experiences as I explore Lagos.


Pasta in Tomato Sauce

Ingredients:
500g of Spaghetti (A packet)
1½ of plum tomatoes – chopped
300g of chicken fillet – diced
1 green pepper – chopped
8 sprigs of spring onions
3 scotch bonnet (fresh chilies) - chopped
½ cup of sunflower oil
4 Knorr cubes
1 tablespoon of mixed herbs

Directions:
In a large pan, boil the pasta as per packet instructions, rinse and drain. While the pasta is boiling, heat the oil in a large saucepan including one Knorr cube for about a minute and fry the diced chicken until they are golden brown. Removed the fried diced chicken and keep aside. Add all the vegetables and cook for about 15 minute, add the mixed herbs and 2 Knorr cubes. Then add the boiled pasta and simmer for about 5 – 10 minutes. Add the remaining Knorr cube if needed after tasting for salt.

Enjoy!

Thursday, 22 December 2011

She Has Arrived...

I have been expectant and for far too long. It has taken nine months and now she is finally here. Oh! How I have longed for thee! Nine months ago, I toyed with the idea of getting her but I had to be sure I could afford her. After a lot of thinking and consultation I figured at the time I really couldn’t. Three months later this idea kept growing bigger in my head but I pushed it aside as our huge electricity and gas bill had just arrived. That same month Aberdeen City Council was threatening to take us to court because we hadn’t paid a bill they “NEVER” sent a statement for. In short we received the red notice before we had even received our invoice! The time just wasn’t right to get her.

She was always on my mind. I also felt like God was playing tricks on me. Every website I clicked on, every TV channel I tuned to showed her smiling at me, calling my name. I couldn’t escape her in the shops either. It was now a topic of discussion amongst the ladies at work. They all spoke about how much they loved their babies. I started to feel left out. I started to feel like I was wasting my love on other undeserving things.

Five months ago, I was whisking eggs for a “Mississippi Mud Pie” with a hand held whisker; my arms hurt so much I had to take a few breaks in between. I also noticed that there was still a lot of liquid at the bottom of the bowl that didn’t get whisked. I felt frustrated and at that moment she crept into my head again. Right! It was time to put a plan in place. I may not be able to afford her now but with time I could. I could cut back on some unnecessary expenses and put money aside monthly. I could make this work. I can make it work!

Bit by bit, I saved. I cut down on the number of Body Shop’s Body Butter tubs I bought monthly. Funny thing is I never ever run out of body butters because I am always stocking up. I figured if I didn’t buy any for the rest of the year I would still have enough to last till next March! I also reduced the number of times I visited Marks and Spencer. I convinced myself that Sainsbury’s was good enough. Bit by bit I gathered money so I could afford my long awaited baby.

While I was saving up I kept looking at scans of her, anticipating her arrival. I looked at her everyday. I couldn’t wait to show her off to friends and family. I couldn’t wait to discuss her with work colleagues. I couldn’t wait to be part of this cool exciting club.

After nine months, I was ready for my baby to be delivered. I called the consultants to let them know I was ready and fully prepared. The very next day she arrived. Brand new and glimmering. I was in love!

Courtesy of John Lewis
I have christened her Kofo. She is absolutely beautiful. And I cannot wait to show you all the scrumptious food I am going to prepare lovingly with her. Oh my!