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Cocoyam Paste (Ede Ofe) made in a blender Cocoyam (Ede Ofe) paste is usually made by pounding boiled cocoyam in a mortar, but in the absence of a mortar, you can also prepare it in a blender, just like I did in my varsity days.. Cocoyam  is a nutritious and healthy food,that is either eaten boiled, steamed or made into paste and used as soup thickeners. The two common types of cocoyams in Nigeria are ''Colocasia esculenta'' & ''Xanthosoma sagittifolium root ''    Although these two varieties are edible, Xanthosoma sagittifolium root '', is usually boiled , roasted, steamed and sometimes pounded to make fufu meals while ''Colocasia esculenta''(cocoyam/ede ofe) is used mostly in Nigeria to thicken soups and some species are known to itch the skin. This is the type we will be using to make this paste. When made into paste, ''Colocasia esculenta''(cocoyam/ede ofe) is  used for adding viscosity  to Nigerian soups, s

Covering a cake with fondant is easier than it looks. If you've bought pre-packed Fondant or maybe got creative like me and decided to make Fondant from scratch , here's how to cover your cake without cracks, folds or creases. To perfectly Cover A Cake With Fondant, you have to; A. Make sure that the large cake you want to decorate, has been previously coated with butter cream icing and left to harden a bit. B. Next, take the measurement of the cake, so that you'll know the size of fondant to roll.  If you are working with a round 12 inch wide cake, that has a 3 inch height, your fondant measurement will be 12+3+3, which will give you 18.   So the diameter of your fondant will be 18, but make it 20. It's better to have extra fondant at the edges, than not having enough. C. Place the cake on a cake board.    Steps:    1.  Now, Knead the fondant until soft and pliable. 2. Then, dust your work surface and rolling pin with icing sugar( or corn flour or butter) ; Place th

       Making Fondant from scratch is a fun task every pastry lover should try out. It is quite easy to prepare once you get the hang of it.        Here's how to make rolled fondant for large cakes and Cupcake decoration. Rolled Fondant (Sugar Paste) ingredients:   - 1kg or 2 pounds Icing sugar (a.k.a Confectioners sugar)    - 500g Corn flour or extra Icing sugar (for kneading)(optional)  - 60ml or 4 tablespoonful or 1/4 cup Cold water  - 20ml or 1 sachet or 1 tablespoon unflavored Gelatin  - 1/2 cup or 125ml Liquid Glucose (or White Corn syrup)  - 15ml or 1 tablespoonful Glycerine  - 1 tablespoonful Butter or Shortening (for rolling and kneading)  - 1 teaspoon desired flavoring (optional)  - 1 tablespoon Cmc or Gum tex (optional but highly recommended) Note:   * Cmc (carboxy methyl cellulose) is the same as Tylose powder  * Gum tex is the same as Gum tragacanth.  * Cmc and Gum tex does the same work in fondant preparation.  Some bakers make use of cmc in place of glycerin

Butter icing (buttercream icing) serves as a yummy topping for Cakes , biscuits and a lot more. It is also used as a coating for cakes before covering with fondant. Butter icing (buttercream icing) is easy to prepare and does not require a lot of ingredients. You'll need: - 200 grams Butter (softened at room temperature, don't melt in microwave - 400 grams Icing Sugar (sifted) - 4 tablespoonful Milk - 1 tablespoon vanilla extract(optional) ( if using powdered milk, dissolve 1 tablespoonful of milk in 4 tablespoonful Preparation: 1. Place the soft butter in a wide bowl and beat until it is white, light and fluffy. 2. Then, gradually add the icing sugar and continue beating until the mixture is  fluffy again.  3. Finally, add the milk and vanilla (if you're using any) and beat until well combined and smooth.  Now you have a yummy Butter icing (buttercream icing) for your  cake frosting , icing and decorations.   Cake lightly coated with Butter Icing (Buttercream icing) <

Coloring Fondant is another fun task I enjoy doing. It is easy to do, but also has to be done carefully so that you  can get the exact color tone you are a looking to get. Here's how to Color Fondant for Cake Decorating.  You'll need : - White Fondant - Food dye or coloring (liquid, powder or paste) - Gloves (to prevent staining your hands with dye) (dr. oetker food coloring , do not stain, I love using them) Steps 1. Put on the gloves and knead the fondant until soft and form a ball; then lightly punch the ball a little in the center .  2. Using a toothpick, pick a little of the coloring and tap it on the fondant, knead and repeat the process until you get your desired color.   If you're using liquid food dye add one drop at a time and knead until you get your desired color.  3. Finally form into a ball and tightly wrap up the fondant in a nylon or plastic bag and place in a sealed container until you're ready to use.   Tip: Always color more than you need because it

Nigerian Cake is super rich, dense and absolutely delicious. It is a variation of the conventional butter cake and does not fall apart or crumble when cut into slices.    If you've ever attended a Nigerian Wedding or birthday party and wondering how the cake was made; here's a detailed recipe you'll surely enjoy. Nigerian Cake Ingredients : This recipe makes a well risen 10 x 3 inch deep Cake. - 500 grams( about 4 cups) Plain Flour /All purpose flour - 500 grams Butter (at room temperature) - 10  Eggs (at room temperature) - 350 grams Sugar - 2 tablespoonful Baking powder - 2 tablespoonful flavor (coco or vanilla or butterscotch flavor) - 1 cup Brandy or Rum( optional but most people add it) - 2 tablespoonful Preservative powder (optional) - half cup browning(for dark cakes) (optional) -  1 handful Dry fruits (raisins, cherries) soaked in the alcohol you'll be using(optional) Notes:  - Preservative powder is optional in Nigerian Cake, but it is used by most Bakers to

Nigerian Beef  Stew Nigerian Beef  Stew is similar to the chicken stew,but in this recipe,beef is used instead of Chicken. This tasty savory stew is often served over boiled rice, boiled and fried plantains, yams, potatoes and boiled beans.      Nigerian Beef Stew  can also be used for preparing jollof Rice , Rice & beans and Coconut Rice . All you need to do is take out the beef from the stew and you have a plain delicious stew for jollof rice, coconut rice and other recipes that calls for red stew. Ingredients for Nigerian Beef  Stew  - 1.5kg Fresh Tomatoes or tinned tomato puree(the watery type) - 100g Canned tomato paste(the smallest De Rica brand thick tomato paste(optional) - 1 litre Vegetable Oil(read recipe to see how to re-use the oil) - 500g beef (or a mixture of assorted beef,such as cow skin (ponmo) or tripe(shaki) - 2 OR 3 medium bulbs Onions - 5 Habanero Pepper (atarodo) - 2  stock cubes - Thyme and curry (1 tablespoon each) - Salt to taste Cooking directions for Nig

     Nigerian Tomato Stew (Vegan stew) is a simple stew that is used as a base for Nigerian Jollof Rice and Coconut Rice Recipes.It is often made in large quantities and stored in the freezer until when needed.    I always make this t omato stew for my vegetarian friends, so that they don't feel left out ☺ .   It is also the first step in the cooking steps for most Nigerian stews, such as the Fish stew , Chicken stew and Beef stew . Here's a detailed recipe on how to make this basic stew, and you can also watch a video recipe on How to Make Nigerian Tomato Stew(video coming soon) Ingredients for Nigerian Tomato Stew - 1.5kg Fresh Tomatoes or blended tomato puree - 200g Tomato paste(e.g De Rica brand (optional) - 1 litre Vegetable Oil - 2 OR 3 medium bulbs Onions - 3 Habanero Pepper (atarodo)(optional) - 1 stock cube (vegetable bouillon cube for vegans) - Salt to taste Cooking directions for Nigerian Tomato Stew * Open the Canned tomato paste, scoop content into a bowl and di

Nigerian Chicken Stew is a delicious stew made with tomatoes, peppers, fried/grilled chicken & spices.    If you love chicken soup, you'll love the Nigerian Chicken Stew. Below is a detailed written recipe, and for the video lovers, here is a video on How to Cook Nigerian Chicken Stew. Ingredients for Nigerian Chicken Stew - 1.5kg Fresh Tomatoes or tinned tomato puree(the watery type) - 100g Canned tomato paste( the smallest De Rica brand thick tomato paste(optional) - 1 litre Vegetable Oil( don't worry you won't be leaving all this oil in your stew. Read recipe to see how to re-use the oil) - 600g Chicken - 2 OR 3 medium bulbs Onions - 5 Habanero Pepper (atarodo) - 2  stock cubes - Thyme and curry (1 tablespoon each) - Salt to taste Cooking directions for Nigerian Chicken Stew   1.  Open the thick Canned tomato paste(e.g De Rica ) , scoop content into a bowl and dilute with a little water.Set aside.  Blend the tomatoes, peppers and onions.  Tip : If you are making use

Bitter leaf Soup (Ofe Onugbu)   Bitter leaf Soup also known as ( Ofe Onugbu / Obe efo Elewuro or Miyan shuwaka ) is a delicious traditional Nigerian soup.   It is prepared with a bitter leaf ( Vernonia amygdalina ) and although the name suggest that it is a bitter soup, that's not the case. The bitter leaves used for this soup ,are properly  washed and squeezed ,until there is only a slight taste of bitterness left. Here's a video recipe on How to Cook Bitter Leaf Soup and below is a detailed written recipe.Enjoy! * Food Note: Bitter leaf soup is known as '' Ofe Onugbu '' in Igbo language, where ' 'Ofe '' stands for ''soup'' and '' Onugbu '' stands for ''bitter leaf''. It is called  Obe efo Elewuro in Yoruba language, where '' obe'' signifies ''soup'' and '' efo elewuro'' stands for ''bitter leaf''.  In Hausa language it is '

Homemade Burger in a Pan (Patties made from scratch) Homemade Burgers are just the THING...oh yes..they are. They are so easy to make and even better when you can make them on a frying pan, without grills and ovens, just your normal everyday frying pan. I love homemade burgers because they are free of preservatives and other not-so-healthy stuff you get in store-bought Burgers.  The basic ingredient for Homemade burgers is the Meat. This meat could be Beef, Chicken, Pork, Lamb or Turkey meat.But whatever meat you choose, make sure that it has some fat in it, not too much, just 85% meat and 15% fat. So enough of the talk..let's get cooking. Here's a video recipe on How to Make Homemade Burger in a Pan (Patties made from scratch) Ingredients for Homemade Burger For the burger patties * 200 minced meat(beef, pork, lamb,chicken,turkey) * 1 teaspoon garlic powder/onion powder * 1 tablespoon thyme/parsley or any other herb *  1 tablespoon ground black pepper * 1 tablespoon soy sauce(