Life. Love. Food

Category: Breakfast (Page 1 of 4)

Back To Basics – Uji ya Wimbi

There are certain, specific dishes that are very reminiscent of home. Every person has their own, and several too. For me, the small of mandazi or drop scones reminds me of home. The aroma of pilau reminds me of home. The smell of a baking lemon cake reminds me of home. And the smell of warm uji – particularly on a drizzly morning or late afternoon – also reminds me of home! I have always loved uji (porridge) even as a child. I loved it as part of breakfast or even in place of chai ya saa kumi. Uji ya Ngano (wheat porridge) is very common in the coast, Uji ya Mahindi (corn porridge) common through out the country and my favorite Uji ya Wimbi (millet porridge) most common in the Western part of the country but equally beloved throughout!

Today I show you how I make mine, at it’s most foundational recipe!

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Mushroom & Sausage Egg Muffins

One thing I love more than an early morning during the work week is a late – super late – and super slow- morning during the weekends. A slow morning allows you to take in the beauty of the day. The slower pace of things allows your spirit to merge with the wave of time and ride it. Slow mornings allow you to taste the sweetness of the songbirds. As someone who really goes hard during work weeks, slow weekend mornings are a much welcome relief and calm sweetness. It also allows me to really take time and eat yummy things; and yummy things need not be complicated ones.

One of my current weekend favorites are my mushroom and sausage egg muffins. All my favorite yummy things are things are packed in these little beauties. They are the perfect savory bite, super simple to prepare and a true joy to have!

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Back To Basics – Crepes

Weekends at home have often started with hearty breakfasts. It would be anything really but it would always be super special. I specifically love it when mom makes drop scones. I swear no one does it better than her!! My elder sister does make the best crepes. Well I do too, but I prefer sleeping till 11 a.m. and not have to cook too early in the morning lol. We are now grown and we all participate in the breakfast process, we all contribute in different ways. Think kebabs or samosas or pancakes or loaf cakes… it could be anything. And in my home, I now also make sure that weekend breakfasts are just as yummy. If you follow me on Twitter, you know crepes often feature. And upon your request, today we are going to do the foundational crepe recipe which I hope you will really enjoy!

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Simple Lemon Cake

Today is June 14th. As I am writing this blogpost, a lemon cake is baking. It is a warm mid-morning. I am calm. I am happy. I am content. The sun is making it’s way through the blinds and a gentle breeze is wafting in. My home smells fantastic. I have been on a creative high and my spirit is still. On this very day, and at this very very moment, I am happy, present and grounded. My 2022 has not been a pleasant year, and whenever I can catch a moment of joy, I grasp it and I let my spirit marinate in it.

I hope on the day I post this recipe that I will be in an even calmer, more grounded and much happier space. I hope joy finds me and chooses me every day. I also hope for you – on the day I *finally* post this recipe, that joy is cozily nested in your heart. I hope you find peace in life’s simple moments. I hope you constantly re-discover yourself and fearlessly choose yourself.

And with that, let us get into today’s beauty of a recipe.

simple lemon cake. moist lemon cake, easy lemon cake recipe by Kaluhi Adagala of Kaluhi's Kitchen

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Breakfast Sandwich

I love a slow morning. I love mornings that are not rushed; mornings that are still, that are sunny, that allow you to soak in everything and just be. Such mornings are made even better by amazing food. Be it a solid breakfast or a boozy brunch. I love all kinds of sandwiches and breakfast sandwiches are among my absolute favorites because they are not only filling but are super hearty, have lots of character and are extra filling too.

I have been making this exact breakfast sandwich for myself for the past couple of weeks and decided to share the simple recipe with you guys so that you too can enjoy this beaut at home! I can’t wait for you to give this a shot!

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Lime Cardamom Zebra Cake

I have always found zebras so gentle and majestic! I don’t quite know what it is about them, but I have always really loved them. I enjoy spotting their herds between Naivasha and Salgaa when driving out to Maragoli. When we were kiddies, mom would always called to us in the back seat to look out and see the Zebras grazing, or the flamingoes in Lake Naivasha or the deer that are usually amongst the Zebras too. My sisters and I were always so fascinated, and now even much older we still get just as fascinated but it is sprinkled with a lot more appreciation too that we live in the most beautiful country in the world where a simple drive out of the city has you savor nature in such mighty glory. When I drive out of the city, I make sure to stop & take pictures whenever I see an animal I normally wouldn’t in Nairobi, and just take in it’s beauty and the beauty all around it.

I love Zebra Cake too. I love it’s stripes. I love how simple it is to make. I love how perfect it is to have – especially with some tea – during stormy May! I added my own twist to this and I am totally looking forward to see you guys enjoying this!

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Nutmeg and Cinnamon Blueberry French Toast Casserole

I love me a great brunch! I love waking up late, staying in bed for an hour, dragging myself around the house for yet another hour then dressing up and going out for a fantastic brunch with friends. Since the pandemic started, I personally have been eating out aloooot less. I never used to eat out that much to begin with, but the pandemic truly slowed me down significantly. That however does not mean I don’t do my brunches at home. I love brunch at home because I can customize what I want according to what my palate wants. I love a mix of savoury and sweet, but more of the former than the latter. This nutmeg and Cinnamon blueberry French toast casserole is a star and makes for the perfect brunch dish.

She is fruity. She is boozy. She is spicy. And she is your next addiction.

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Apple Pecan Feta Salad with Zesty Dill Ginger Dressing

I always get super excited when I make a salad because I know it is always going to be bomb AF!!! It has been a minute since I made one with you guys, but better late than never! I had bought some feta some weeks back which I had planned on using in a certain project (I shall be sharing with you guys in 2 weeks) but never got to use. So instead of watching it go bad, it just made sense to have it in a salad. This apple pecan feta salad has all the right flavors! You can get a rainbow of notes which makes every bite even better!

There is a complimentary YouTube video to this blogpost. But before we get into that, let us get into this exciting blogpost.

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Chai Masala

A perfect mug of chai masala can fix literally anything! There is a comfort that it brings, that reminds you of home. Chai masala is a hug in a mug. Chai masala is fun times with family. Chai Masala is joy in your heart and cozy night in. It is comfort and laughter with your mother. It is magical! In my hearts of hearts, I am a strungi (black tea) girl. However once in a while, I do love me some milk tea and when I do brew a mug, it often is chai masala.

Chai is the Kiswahili word for tea. Chai masala hence means spiced tea. There are a billion variations out there but this particular once I am writing about today is one I have tried, tested and perfected. You will love it just as much!

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Most Spectacular Brownies!

My dad used to drive a deep brown Peugeot 504 in the 90’s. My sisters and I used to call that car brownie. I cannot remember who exactly coined the moniker, but it stuck. “You left your dolls in Brownie.” “My crayons rolled under Brownie’s seats.” “Go grab your coat form Brownie.” And when anyone said Brownie, we all knew it was dad’s car that was being referenced. We enjoyed that car! For all the cosy rides to Maragoli snuggled at the back, to the noisy chatter back home after church to my sister’s and I blacked out on our way home after visiting our cousins, brownie was pretty much central to all that. Brownie served us well, and it was let toward the close of the 90’s.

That story was at the back of my mind as I was filming today’s video. What is an indulgent snack to all, means something entirely different to me as well. With memories of monikers at the back of my mind simmering up top, I made for you Brownies. Real Brownies. These are beautifully indulgent, delicious and a snack you will really enjoy!

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Lemon Blueberry Muhogo Pancakes

I am one girl who loves loves loves loooooooves Muhogo (cassava). Growing up, I never enjoyed it. In my mind, muhogo was for old people. And I have now grown up and become that “old person” who 7 year old me would be shook to learn adores muhogo. Muhogo is versatile. It has an inherent soft, earthy taste to it which on its own is so delicious. However, it is also versatile enough to take up favors of other ingredients so well making it a joy to cook with! I often re-make these muhogo fries we made in 2016. They are tasty as a snack and also as part of a full meal. I also love muhogo wa nazi literally any time of the day, and paired with any meat of choice, it becomes super filling too.

In an age where we are moving more into consuming foods that are sustainable, muhogo (cassava) is definitely top on the list of one of the foods the world is warming up to. Maragolis and most people from western Kenya eat muhogo all the time, and in different ways. We love it whole in different forms. We also mix in the flour for unga ya ugali and ya uji. I got my hands on the flour and decided to make something sweet and gorgeous. Let us get into my perfect lemon and blueberry muhogo pancakes.

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Cinnamon Ginger Pumpkin Bread

I have been working from home since 2015. While I have already found what works and what doesn’t for me, it has been quite a thrill to see everyone else find their own balance during this lock-down period. It has been exciting finally seeing people recognize that work done from home is still work. It has been amazing to see people realize and acknowledge & experience what my peers and I have been saying for ages: that working from home does not mean one is free all the time, but it means just that- work has to and is being done. It has been so great to welcome people into my world and to also help them get acquainted with striking the balance and establishing work boundaries especially when they can be so very easily be blurred while working from home. Besides helping people learn the ropes on WFH, I have also found immense joy in the increase in people trying out my recipes! With the lock-down and people reacquitting themselves with home cooking, I have seen you guys blossom into the most glorious home cooks! The banana bread craze came and died down, and I am happy my recipe too was among your favorites to have!

Things are slowly opening up, but the baking does not stop! As we ring in the cold season in Kenya, let us have something warm baking in our kitchens! You will totally love my cinnamon and ginger pumpkin bread!

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Iliki Banana Pancakes

The simplest foods are often the most comforting! I love how a biting into a mango feels like sunshine in my face. I love how creaminess of avocado and githeri feels like melty body butter on my skin. I love how labania za maziwa feel like a shower of forehead kisses. I love how chai masala feels like comfortable, familiar excitement. And I love how pancakes- specifically banana pancakes feel like staying in bed longer on a slow Sunday morning!

Banana pancakes are so simple to make, and are one of my favorite things to have. I always switch it up when I make mine, but my faaaaavorite way to enjoy them is with my favorite warm spice taking center stage- as iliki banana pancakes. You will fall in love with this one too!

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Mahamri

Lamu remains one of my favorite places to visit in Kenya. This slow, sleepy and stunningly beautiful island is a place I love to escape to when I want to unwind and relax be it with company or alone. I was last in Lamu in 2017 and I have been planning to go back since. I miss the warm & genuinely kind people. I miss white sand in my toes during a dawn beach stroll. I miss watching sunset while sailing a dhow. I miss humid nights and falling asleep to the sound of waves crashing outside my window. I miss the billions of cats & donkeys that wonder on the narrow streets lol! I miss everything about Lamu and of course, I especially miss the food! We all know that Swahili cuisine is freaking amazing! Today I am particularly missing mahamri, and that is what we are going to make today and enjoy during this current Lock-Down period. But best believe, once this is all over and it is safe to travel, I can’t wait to have my braids smell like sea water again!

Let’s get into today’s recipe.

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Coconut OatMeal with Cinnamon Zinzagaya (cape gooseberry) Compote

I love oats as a quick breakfast. I personally don’t find them bland- I love their simple flavor when I make them with just milk on a busy morning and also deeply enjoy how well they take up flavor of other ingredients I decide to pair them with. I love my oats with a fruity element- often a compote- and today I made one with what we the Maragoli call Zinzagaya (cape gooseberries).

I ran this past you guys on Twitter and I got to learn they are pretty common throughout Kenyan tribes, not just mine. The Kikuyu call them Naathi, the Kalenjin call then Cheloliit and the Kisii call them Chinsobosobo. So regardless of the part of the country you are reading this from, you will totally fall inlove with this breakfast beauty!

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Rum and Cinnamon French Toast

January has decided to bring with it some unexpected cooler weather… January is one of the HOTTEST months of the wear for those of us in Kenya. It is one of the reasons it is one of my favorite months of the year too for that same reason!! I flourish in my shorts and minis. I love how light floods into the house. I love that I do not quite need a sweater at night. I miss that kind of January and I hope February serves the heat it always has since I was born!

But whether it is sunny or rainy, one thing that is for sure is my cinnamon and rum french toast goes well with all kinds of weather, all year round. So whether you are experiencing the real winter, or a warmer January, this recipe will take you through all the year round!

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My 3 Favorite Mango Juices

Is it waaaaaay too late into the year to tell you guys Happy new Year? LOL! I hope your year has started off well and you are still so pumped about the year ahead!! I can say I am, and I have been on a break since October, and I am kinda nervous and energized to be back! I am glad you loved the recipes of the year past, and not we do the same greatness for 2020! And no better way to get into it than with the best fruit in the whole world taking center stage: Mango!

I love mango juice and I love switching things up and experimenting with different flavors. I showed you three of my favorite mango juices in early 2019 and now I want to add 3 more and I know without doubt you are going to love these beauties!

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Thyme & Oregano Scotch Eggs

My mom looooooves hosting! She always goes out of her way to make sure the guests she has over have the time of their life not to mention, an elaborate banquet to feast upon. She would make sure our food was set aside first and the rest taken to the dining table for the guests. I remember the first time I had scotch eggs was on one of such days. Mum had guests over, and before dashing out to play, my sisters and I were sat down for lunch. My little hands reached out for this unfamiliar brown ball. I was skeptical, and left it for last. Until my sister Kadesa took a bite and exclaimed “Ni tamu!!”. I reached out for mine, and indeed, I loved it! This new thing, that had both egg and sausage – things I love- was delicious! I later on learnt that they were scotch eggs and have been inlove with them ever since!

Today I put my own twist on my mom’s recipe and give to you my thyme and oregano scotch eggs. Mtapenda!

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Banana Bread

Would you believe me if I told you I have the best banana bread recipe in the whole world for you? Would you believe me if I told you it is crazy easy to make, and the moistest you will ever lay on your tongue? If you have been following me long enough, you know very well when I tell you something is amazing, that means it is!!

The weather has since changed and we are in the cooler months of the year. We have swapped possets we enjoyed in January nights and now, indulging in warm, fresh, delicious banana bread for cold June/July nights. *Daenerys’ voice* Shall we begin?

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Karafuu & Ginger Drop Scones

One of the things I love waking up to is the aroma of drop scones on a Saturday. My mom makes them once in a while, and when she does, you bet I am always the first to go eat lest my siblings finish everything as i dilly-dully in bed. She makes them so well, and I honestly not only love these, but everything mom makes. Mom’s food always rocks, right? I took her recipe and added a twist on my own. I was kinda nervous when I made these, and wanted her honest opinion on the same. She loved them and asked me for specifics of what I added and decided to make them as I did going forward! My heart melted!

If mom said this recipe is bomb, trust me, it is 100% worth a try!

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