Life. Love. Food

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Curry Garlic Crispy Fried Gizzards

The national happenings of this past month acted as a catalyst for me to connect deeper and understand wider the history and rich culture of my people. As I tweeted, I found a profound appreciation and deep pride that I come from a geographical region that is deeply attuned with the breadth and depth of the human experience. While colonialism stole a lot from us and erased an even greater magnitude of our history, whatever we managed to salvage and pass down is a precious golden string that ties us to the strength of those in the great beyond. And what a privilege it is to still practice what our foremothers did: to still have our naming ceremonies, to still know and use herbs that grow from the same soil that They once danced on, to still observe our sacred burial rites, to take pride in community as our sacred sanctuary, and to love as deeply as they did.

While we did manage to preserve a lot of our rich heritage, there are also some practices that we might be aware of but are deliberately shedding off. One of them is: Gizzard is a special part reserved for men only. It really is a dumb one, and I am thrilled that it is not practiced at all – or atleast not in our home or those who I know. Chickens have other phenomenal parts (I’d argue even better ones); however, today I would like for us to focus on my perfect curry garlic crispy gizzards that I know you will fall in love with!

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Moist, Homemade Carrot Muffins

I have grown to really enjoy hosting. It is not something I do often, however, when my energy, time and money align, I always have a friend or two over. In typical Kenyan culture, when guests are over, they must be offered something to eat or drink, regardless of how simple. It is something deeply ingrained in us and I pride myself on being a warm host. While it is not a must to offer, even for a brief visit, I ensure my guests nibble on something delicious and if the offerings allow, I pack a little doggy bag for them to head home with!

On the day I filmed these yummy carrot muffins, my friend was passing by to drop off a document that needed my signature. “Sitakaa ata” she said, to which I agreed to but insisted that she must have a mug of chai masala for chai ya saa kumi. We ate the carrot muffins, she packed some for her daughter and we chatted on till about 7 in the evening.  It was so lovely! And the carrot muffins were lovely too! Truly, nothing beats freshly baked, ultra-soft and spongy, generously warmly spiced carrot muffins.  I am excited about how deeply in love you will fall with this recipe!

Super soft, freshly baked carrot muffins with visible carrot pieces and very soft and spongy, placed on a tray with tea cups ready to eat
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Garlic Coconut Cream Tsisagaa (Chinsaga/Saget)

It is not a secret that my most favorite place in the entire world is Maragoli. It is where my mind completely rests; and as someone with mild anxiety and a constantly ticking mind, that’s a huge thing. It is a place I find absolute peace. It is where I know I am completely safe and overflowingly loved. The emerald hills are story-book pretty and everyone is so warm and kind. One of the things I really love about finally growing up is the ability to drive out whenever I want. And because my work can be done form everywhere, I try be away from Nairobi as often as I can. I am writing this post from the back yard. My parents have since returned to Nairobi, but I chose to stay for an extra week and a half. It is peaceful. It is still. And I am happy. I will finish writing this and then set up my canvas and paint in the afternoon before the evening storms set in. This right here, is my dream life and I am living it!!

I had photographed this in my Nairobi home before driving out and found it fitting to complete this blogpost about a much beloved vegetable. Today is Monday and it is Market day at Mudete and I think I will pass by and buy a bunch and cook some using this recipe coz remembering how bomb this recipe was is making me drool! The recipe is very simple, with a #KK twist you will for sure love!

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Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake

I think it is universally agreed that the best recipes are those that are both very simple and very delicious. Do not get me wrong, I honestly do not mind putting in the time and cooking meals that demand that investment. It always pays off in the end! However, sometimes one is just tired, but still, in the mood to eat something supper yum. In instances such as those, I almost always turn to my cheesy chicken pasta bake.

This recipe is simple and an easy crowd-pleaser. It is a default when impromptu guests come knocking. It is impossible not to love and just as difficult not to savor! This is for certain gonna be among your family’s absolute faves!

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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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Creamy Peanut Risudza (Managu)

One of the many many many gifts my parents bestowed my sisters and I is introducing us at a very young age the wide array of Traditional Kenyan vegetables. We have always enjoyed them as children, and not even as adults with our own homes & with our own babies, traditional Kenyan vegetables are a very frequent appearance. For me, it is what I eat 95% of the time and I often joke if I were to leave the country, our mbogas are certainly top 5 of the foods I would miss.

Each part of the country has their own  mbogas but it is the western communities that have the widest array and the riches culture around preparing and eating them. The list of traditional vegetables and possible combinations is endless. But one by one, we shall make one with a special twist of my own. Risudza, also known as Managu, is pretty common and among my faaaaavorite to have. This particular recipe is undeniably delicious, and I am very excited to share it with you guys!

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Roasted Tomato Soup with Cheesy Smokie Sandwich

I used to wonder why older people used to say time is moving so fast. As a child, because everyday looks the same and one has only one thing to worry about, days used to seem static. But now being neck-deep in the chaotic world that adulting is, time really does move fast. You blink once and three months have flashed by. I was literally screaming under a sky of fireworks on the 1st of this year a second ago and now we are into the second half of the year? It is crazy! But change is part of life and as fast as it is coming towards us, we embrace it and roll with the punches. And speaking of the second half, July comes with lots of cold and that calls for meals that feel like cosy cuddles. And you know what feels like a cosy cuddle? My roasted tomato soup with a cheesy smokie sandwich.

This is beautiful as it is fantastically delicious and you will love this beauty!

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