Tag: Kaluhi (Page 1 of 4)

Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake

September 13, 2023 / Kaluhi / 4 Comments

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!

Creamy Peanut Risudza (Managu)

August 9, 2023 / Kaluhi / 9 Comments

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!

Roasted Tomato Soup with Cheesy Smokie Sandwich

July 26, 2023 / Kaluhi / 14 Comments

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!

Mushroom & Sausage Egg Muffins

July 5, 2023 / Kaluhi / 18 Comments

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!

Coconut Cream Mango Slushie

February 22, 2023 / Kaluhi / 5 Comments

Some of my followers on twitter point out that during mango season, all I tweet about is mangoes. And they are completely correct!! Am I trying to change? Absolutely not! I love my obsession! And I love that you guys are well aware of it. But can you blame me? Is there anything or any fruit more worthy than a toxic obsession than mangoes? There really isn’t! Over the years, every mango season has had us make several mango recipes (which you can check out here) and for this season, we are going to add yet another one.

It is hot and mangoes are in abundance. Therefore the perfect item to celebrate both is my coconut cream mango slushie. Super simple to make and I know you are really going to love this one!

Ginger Coconut Cream Tilapia

October 5, 2022 / Kaluhi / 12 Comments

Obviously I was going to start this blog by saying I. LOVE. FISH. We have walked this journey since 2014 and those of you who have been part of my tribe since then know in my heart of heart, the one meat I can comfortably eat every day for the rest of my life is fish. The variety is plenty. Each different fish tastes and feels different and I love love love that there are a billion ways to cook it too.

Tilapia has always been most common in this country. It has gained popularity in other countries as well over the recent years (which I noticed on twitter that they call Tilapia a lab animal and one that does not exist in real life (???) but I also understand in first world countries so much Genetic Modification happens such that one can live a full life without seeing or tasting the real thing). It is pretty affordable, super tasty and extremely flavorful. Today’s recipe is a take on one I made in 2016 – you can check it out here – with today spinning my original recipe and upgrading it very slightly, but in a manner that your palate will love!

Back To Basics – Crepes

September 14, 2022 / Kaluhi / 18 Comments

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!

Most Tender Oxtail Ever!

July 20, 2022 / Kaluhi / 20 Comments

I have been so excited about posting this recipe, god knows!!! I love a good slow cooked dish. For me, investing time into getting amazing food has never been an ache. That is because, it always pay off! The flavor is always so potent and the met-in-your-mouth deliciousness is an ever amazing reward. It is presently cold in Kenya. July has come with it’s deep freeze and that only means we snuggle up to the yummiest comforting meals. Honey let me tell you, my oxtail will have to be among those meals you indulge in!

She is bold! She is tender! She is unforgettable and believe me when I tell you, you will fall head over heels in love with this oxtail recipe!

Breakfast Sandwich

July 13, 2022 / Kaluhi / 18 Comments

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!

Garlic Thyme Mala-Marinated Mbuzi Dry Fry

July 6, 2022 / Kaluhi / 22 Comments

I have always loved mbuzi (goat). It remains among my top five favorite meats to have! I love how Kenyans always have some during literally any celebration, and also during just-because moments. It takes up flavor so well and any chance I get to make some, I dive head first. On the day I made this, my soul was restless and the only thing it craved was some mbuzi. So I had to make it good good and honey it was worth my time!

This recipe is very simple. It brings out the full flavor of the mbuzi all the while allowing all the ingredients used therein to really shine! You will love this beaut so so much!

Pea and Potato Stew

June 29, 2022 / Kaluhi / 20 Comments

Easy does not have to be boring. Simple does not have to taste boring! This has been my life gospel and a principle that I have been raised on. We all love quick, simple meals but they too need to pack flavor and make your mealtimes interesting. I would think one of the most common stews in Kenya would be this pea and potato stew. I personally love it too, and I prepare it more times than I could count. It is simple to put together and super hearty too.

I switch thing ups and add different flavor notes depending on my mood. On the day I made this one, I decided to film it and I do hope you enjoy this beaut as much as I did when I made it.

Ginger Sweet Corn Fried Rice

June 22, 2022 / Kaluhi / 22 Comments

Life is super fast paced, more so now that we are adults and it has gotten real! I have made a conscious choice to stop and smell the roses. It is very easy to get swept by the undercurrent of life. And if one does not deliberately stop and just be, the present business can consume you. Lately I have been reminiscing about my career, especially now that I am nearly reaching my 8th anniversary! Who would have thought that this girl would build a monster of a brand off of her name! Who would have thought I would keep this going for nearly a decade? Who would have thought simple ideas would turn into laughter on your dinner tables? Who would have thought! It has been quite the journey and I am deeply appreciative of every win, every stress point, every steep learning curve, every glorious collaboration and certainly, for every one of you.

Today’s recipe – my ginger sweet corn fried rice – is super simple. This particular one is a better rendition to this one I made and posted in August of 2014. I have no idea why the images are broken on that post, but it is completely worth it that I tweaked it a little bit and posted it once more for you to try out.

Pilipili ya Kukaanga

June 8, 2022 / Kaluhi / 23 Comments

Happy Wednesday my love bugs! Isn’t this year going so fast? Or is it that the business of adult life makes it seem as though everything is rushing to anywhere? Here in Kenya the weather is cooling down and things are about to get super cosy! That only calls for all the cosiest of meals and drinks and a bit of spicy ones too to crank up the heat! Regardless of weather, I always have some pipilipi ya kukaanga in my fridge. It is the most perfect relish, that is super versatile too and I would love for you guys to lean into it’s power, hence this post!

Pilipili ya kukaanga would roughly translate to cooked chili. It is a Kiswahili term and the relish itself is very common and enjoyed throughout our coastal regions. It is typically enjoyed with pilau, however I truly feel like it can go with nearly anything else. It is blazing hot, slightly zingy, mildly sweet and a glorious relish full of character you have to make a staple in your home!

Herby Slow Cooked Beef Stew

April 13, 2022 / Kaluhi / 28 Comments

Happy Wednesday my sweet angels!!! I hope you have had a great past quarter and the just commenced second quarter is taking all of you easy. It has been a challenging past couple of years. Every single year comes with a new set of challenges and this year seems to be the year of tightening belts that were already suffocatingly tight! It will be a challenge, but tutaweza! And as we go through economically tough 2022, let us also soak in the silver linings. Challenges will always be there, therefore let us make room for joy in whichever way it finds us. I am currently deeply enjoying being an aunty. I am enjoying silence of nighttime. I am enjoying scents of fresh blooms in my home. And certainly, I am enjoying great food!

I have done several beef stew recipes in the past but this one is the one I love most. This is exactly how I make my beef stews at home and I am particularly excited about sharing this beaut with you guys. She is delicious, she is slow cooked, she is unforgettable na mtapenda!

Nutmeg and Cinnamon Blueberry French Toast Casserole

October 13, 2021 / Kaluhi / 11 Comments

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.

Orange Star Anise Cocktail

September 29, 2021 / Kaluhi / 23 Comments

I drove to Maragoli all by myself for the first time ever late last month. What an adventure it was! The night before departure I was so nervous, but once I got on the road, it was pretty stress free and might I say, ironically both relaxing and exhausting as well. I travelled on a Monday, so the roads were pretty clear and it was so smooth! The usual stop is at Nakuru – halfway through the journey- then the next stop is usually when I get home. My main aim of stopping at Nakuru is to see my perfect nephew, hang out for a bit and then get on with the journey. For my recent trip, I had an early lunch at my sisters’ and I had some pilau, a slaw and roast potatoes. My sister cooks so well! This pilau was exceptionally flavorful, and her twist to it has some whole star anise throughout. It was delicious! While continuing driving out west, I was thinking about how I would better use the star anise I had back in Nairobi. It is so versatile, and goes so well in nearly everything! We used in in several soups in my second book, my sister added it to her pilau and for today, we are making it the main note of our cocktail.

Sunny September is now in full glory and this refreshing beauty is for sure about to star in you home brunches! She is perfect and you are gonna love her!

Super Herby Creamy Mushroom Linguine

September 15, 2021 / Kaluhi / 23 Comments

Every time I do a pasta post I have to start by reminding you guys how obsessed I am with every single pasta dish in the world! This is no different, so here goes: “Hi! My name is Kaluhi Adagala and I am a dedicated, toxic, overbearing member of pasta-hive and I adore it in every single form!” There are so many ways to prepare pasta. And as we discussed in this post, there are nearly 300 types of pasta, each with it’s own kataste, and each with best ways of preparing. I had some linguine in my pantry and some mushrooms in my fridge so it was just natural for me to whip up this perfect creamy beauty.

This super herby creamy mushroom linguine is one of my favorite quick lunches for a quiet weekend afternoon paired with a chilled glass of chardonnay. I love it when I want a quick, filling yet tasty dinner on a weeknight. I love it when I have a guest briefly dropping by. It is perfect and I know you will love it just as much as I do!

Creamy Ginger Riseveve

June 9, 2021 / Kaluhi / 22 Comments

My nephew is the most energetic, smartest, cheekiest, funny little boy you will ever come across. I know everyone says that about their children or their nephews/nieces but believe when I say my smallie (I call him smallie) takes the crown! Kipyotin is always on 100 from the second he wakes up. And the only time he is still is when he is asleep lol. He is very observant, very immersed in everything happening around him and is always ready to do everything. His little hands are always busy. This almost-three-year-old is a professional driver (on an adults lap in the driveway, not the highway), he is an experienced water splasher and mud puddler and he is a talkative, active, witty small boy! Kipyotin has always had an excellent appetite. Of course sometimes he does throw a spectacular tantrum during mealtimes but for most times, he very eats well. My sister introduced him to riseveve when he was weaning and to date, it is his favorite vegetable! It is among one of my favorites as well! And is my little bestfriend and I love riseveve, baby you must get into it too!

I have been meaning to do a traditional veggie series since I think 2017 but kept postponing. But all that matters is we start today and you will love everything I am going to share with you guys!

Most Spectacular Brownies!

April 21, 2021 / Kaluhi / 15 Comments

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!

Ginger Thyme Chicken Fingers with Sweet Chili Mustard Dip

March 31, 2021 / Kaluhi / 24 Comments

I always finish filming, clear my sink, mop my kitchen floor and once everything is put away and my space sparkling, that is when I settle down and eat. On this day, I however stopped mid-clearing to eat because everything was just too damn delicious!! From the first batch, I grabbed the first finger to confirm if it was cooked through, then dipped into the dip and popped it into my mouth. “Oh my gooood!” I exclaimed, with my already very large eyes opened wide! It was perfect! The first batch went straight into my tummy! I could not believe how bomb all the flavors were. It was right there and then I knew these chicken fingers would be a favorite of yours, and I am so so thrilled to share this with you guys!

This chicken finger recipe is a recipe that is a sure show stopper and a crowd favorite! It is a definite favorite for families, for fussy toddlers, perfect for picnics or even just for one while watching something beautiful on TV.