Outfit post: Welcoming Spring From Day To Night

Don't you love when you have that one piece that can be easily transformed from day to night time? Well, that was the inspiration for this post. This dress is very appropriate for spring with the prints and colors, and I love it. It can be worn causally during the day, running errands and having lunch with friends and easily transformed with a pair of heel and a clutch and you're ready for a dinner date.

 

Which look would you rock, day time or night  time?

Dress: H&M, Flats: Rack Room, Heels: Target, Bag: Aldo, Clutch: Asos

Akara (Bean Fritters) w/ Recipe

I love when I haven't made or eaten a dish in such a long time, that the next time I eat it, It taste amazingly good. Like I'm just eating it for the very first time. That is the best way I can describe my feelings when I was eating this Akara. I think it's safe to say the last time I ate Akara was about 8 years ago. So, this was long over due. Being that it's been such a long time since I've eaten/made this, I had to call my mom to refresh me memory. She gave me the basics and some tips. As most Nigerians that are knowledgeable about this dish knows, egg is not one of the key ingredients. But, I was advised by my mom to incorporate the egg. What the egg does is that it prevents the batter from absorbing as much oil when frying. I later found out that not only did it help with oil absorption, it also gives the Akara a great kick which I loved.

So, from my kitchen to yours, enjoy this minimalistic Akara recipe. I say minimalistic because in these modern days, the possibilities are endless. You can add any meat, vegetable or leafy greens of choice to the batter to personalize it. Either way, enjoy!


Ingredients
1 cup Beans (Brow beans or Black eye)
1/2 Red bell pepper
2 Habanero pepper (1 if you're not a fan of spicy)
1/2 small Onion
1 tsp salt
1 Knorr cube
1 Egg
Vegetable oil for frying

Directions
1. Soak bean for 2 hours
2. Remove beans skin (Go HERE for steps: steps 4 -7)
3. Once beans has been cleaned. Combine beans, peppers and onions in a blender and puree. Add only as much water needed to aid in the blending process. You want to achieve a paste like consistency.

Straight out of the blender

4. Combine knorr cubes and 2 tbsp of water in a small bowl and microwave for 10 secs to soften the cubes. Mesh with a spoon and mix till the solid is liquified
5. Transfer batter to a bowl, add knorr liquid and salt and mix well
6. Whisk egg in a separate bowl, then add to the puree and mix in very well until the puree is lightly fluffy
7. Heat up oil in a shallow frying pan on medium heat. Make sure oil is hot enough, that it sizzles when you start frying
8. With a table or serving spoon, scope up some of batter and gently slide into the oil. Avoid dropping the batter as that make create some splash. So gently slide allowing the spoon to slightly touch the oil

9. Fry until golden brown on the underside, flip and fry the top side

 
10. When done, remove from oil and place in a sieve lined with paper towel

11. Serve with bread, dun-dun or ogi/custard.
12. Enjoy!

Notes: If you'll like your Akara to be flat, use a shallow frying pan, but if you prefer ball shaped Akara then use a deep frying pan or pot.

Outfit Post: Burgundy Wine

I took these pictures late last year, right before leaving for our honeymoon. The whole outfit was inspired by my wine envelope purse. I thought this outfit is worthy of a post, so I decided to post it now. Any later and you might be wondering what planet I'm on that I'm still wearing a Jacket. On other notes, I miss my braids, thinking about getting it done, but I'm not sure if I'm ready to watch my whole front hair line fall out again.

Jacket: Ideeli, Sweater and boots: VS, Jeans: F21, Purse: Asos

Plantain And Spinach Porridge w/ Recipe

We had friends over about two weekends ago and it was fun. It was pretty much movie night. We watched some Nigerian movies. Can't remember the last time I watched one of those, especially Yoruba movies. I decided to do some experimenting that night, so for dinner I made Plantain and Spinach Porridge. It turned out great and everyone loved it.  When I made it that weekend, I loved it also, but there were a couple of things I wanted to change about the recipe and the outcome. Ultimately, I wanted it to be thicker and more spinach, so I held off on posting the recipe until I've improved on it.

This was the outcome the first time

 Last night I gave it a second trial and I think I'm set and happy with the recipe and final product now.

Ingredients
3 Medium sized green plantains (Unripe plantain)
1 Small onions
1 tsp curry powder
1 tsp dried thyme
2 tsp ground chilli pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp garlic powder
2 tbsp tomato paste
3 tbsp palm oil
2 knorr cubes
2 cups smoked beef sausage
1 cup cooked shrimp
10oz spinach

Directions
1. Wash, peel and dice plantain, dice onions as well
2. Chop and wash spinach and set aside

3. Combine diced plantains and onions with 4 cups of water in a pot. Cover on high-med heat and boil

4. Once the water starts boiling, takes about 10mins, add curry, thyme, garlic powder, pepper, and Italian seasoning and stir
5. Cover and let cook till the plantains are tender approximately 40mins. If the water is almost completely dried up, add about 1/4 cup of water to aid the rest of the cooking process.

40mins later plus 1/4 cup water

6. Once tender, add tomato paste, palm oil, salt, knorr cubes, sausage and shrimp. Reduce heat to med, stir well and cook for 7mins

7. Gently stir in spinach last, reduce heat to low and let simmer for another 5mins.

8. Serve and Enjoy!

 Yea, this is what Mr. D's dish looked like after eating. We both know the fork did not clean out that bowl. So, my guess is the fingers went to work....lol. Solid proof it was banging.

Have a great day everyone.

Outfit Post: Shades Of Blue

Not sure if you've noticed by now, but I'm a big fan of ankle pants. This particular one from H&M is probably my favorite one. Even though it's so simple, I love it. It can be dressed up or down and it's super comfy. I decided to pair the navy blue pant with a light blue button up shirt and finish it up with a black blazer.

Pants & Shrit: H&M, Jacket & Bag: Limited, Belt: F21, Shoes: Jessica Simpson

Back In Michigan I

Oh Michigan....that was where I was before NJ. This post is mostly to honor my Michigan visitors. I was looking through my pictures and when I found my MI album, I was all smiles. Didn't have that many visitors while I was down there, but the ones I had, I cherished everything from the moment they arrived till the moment they drove away.  Ah! my MI days were rough, let's just leave it at that. Apart from my regular visitor Mr. D. two of my sisters visited with friends and I loved those weekends.

This first post is dedicated to my sister and my blogger friend Kemi of Charm Ave. VII We had a blast that weekend. From dancing, to movies, to sushi, to roaming around the city. I believe we were supposed to go out that night, but after eating all those wonderful and tasty Sushi and the old mama's in us kicking it, we ended up staying home. We drank wine and chatted all night till we fell asleep. I think that was more fun than going  through the stress of getting all dressed up to go out in the cold.

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Hibachi + sushi

 

Happy Friday!!!