Yam Pepper Soup W/Palm Oil...Ekpeye Way!

Hmm! there's not enough words to describe how comforting this meal is. The proof is in you following this recipe judiciously and savoring it. My maternal grandmother; aka "Mama Idoke" has tremendous influence on my life and culinary passion. First she's a no-nonsense grandma, hardworking farmer and business woman and epitome of "whatever your passion is; be best at it" Hm...a little bit of her and my late father in me I guess.

Mama Idoke hauls grand children to farm whenever we visit for holidays.  Imagine been awakened too early, offered chewing sticks (local-chewing wood-tooth brush) to head to Igbo--a distance of about 10 to 12 miles (land and Sea). To make it worst, you start work with no breakfast because we leave too early (5 am). Grandma you are lucky you are not in America (America would have charged you for child cruelty/abuse) But hey! that's how home training goes and as you can see; it followed me to adulthood...true discipline. We work on whatever she wants us work on. We often question "Grandma, is there store for us to buy breakfast from? She'll say "Y'all are not eating today" and we will all scream we want to go back to our parents!!! Then comes about 10-11 am; she set up open fire with woods, harvest yam, fresh hot pepper (esebo nwankpi...all from the farm and voila! this meal is served and she calls us to sit  down and enjoy! Believe me, till she died, i couldn't tell where she hides equipment and non perishable ingredients for this meal.

Here's what you need;

1 lb. peeled, washed and cut yams (you can increase or reduce recipe to volume desired).

salt to taste

11/2 - 2 quarts of water

3 esebo nwankpi (don't have the name in English) or use green scotch bonnet- minced.

2 Knorr cubes

2-steaks each, Smoked or Baked Tilapia and Catfish.

2 Negro peppers-cracked

Fresh Palm oil for dunking and salt to taste.

Direction 

Combine cut yams, onions, salt, Knorr cubes, peppers and bring to boil. Add fish (flaked or use as is like me). and cook for 20 minutes or till yams are soft. Check for seasoning/salt and adjust if needed.

In a dunking bowl, pour fresh oil and salt to dunk or serve as shown here. Place yams in a dish and palm oil over it.

Oh my.....I just got transported to Idoke, Igbo farm and under tree we normally eat in that farm. 

Yam in Palm Oil

Smoked Tilapia & Catfish Pepper Soup

Yogurt-Nutty-Fruitilicious!

Everyone who knows me, know that I will be cranky if I don't have my black coffee between 5am and 7am. I used to do just my usual fresh ground french roast Starbucks -black for so many years. Just last Sunday, my Brazilian  friend-Wendy scared the living day out of me. She said I know by now your womb liner is all damaged because of coffee in an empty womb. What? I screamed. I initially argued that it is not possible for me to eat that early...but my coffee time knows no timing. She insisted I either eat that early or add cream and sugar. Well I don't like those except if I'm exceeding 2 cups.

Long story short, that scare gave birth to this Probiotic Yogurt Pumped. up..simple

Here's what's in it...

1 4 oz cup non fat Oikos Greek yogurt (you could use Activa) but organic.

2 oz of raw whole almond nuts -I'm a sucker for this!

2 oz fresh blueberries

2 oz -my home made granola

drizzle of agave nectar (about 1-2 tbsp.)

Direction

First sweeten the yogurt with agave nectar just so that after the toppings, you won't have to mix.

Of course my freshly brewed bold coffee 

Listen, thanks Wendy for interrupting my pattern. It sure was gooooooood!

Make this a part of your breakfast repertoire...it is simple and delicious. 

Soothe Me Soup

Today is one of such days...moody, trying so hard to not let my feelings weigh me down. I found out after awhile that it is alright to permit myself to cry, feel bad or exhale!!!!! Only then I can inhale new positive energy and strength again...feel me?
Then of course cooking is therapeutic for me. The problem became "what am i cooking? Don't feel like any heavy meal nor do I want any cultural affiliation...have you ever felt like that? Well...a little freezer and pantry raid made this happen. I coined it soothe me soup or meal because it is a spicy broth that has a capacity to knock off all ill feelings in me or you and propel me or you to "feeling great and move forward kinda feeling you know"!

you need;

1-15.5 oz can of white beans-drained and rinsed
1 cup shredded carrots
2 Knorr cubes
salt to taste
1 large lemon zest and juice
1 bunch chopped fresh cilantro
3 green habanero pepper chopped
2-6oz whole red snapper - cleaned and washed
6 cups water
1 large onions-small diced
1 tbsp garlic/ginger paste.

Direction
combine all ingredients except cilantro and fish; in a sauce pan and bring to a rolling boil. check for seasoning and ensure it's very flavorful. Add fish and cook for 25 minutes. Add cilantro and take off heat.  no oil,no stress and you'll be soothed like I was!

Let me know what you think after you tried it!
here you go...

FYI...vegans, you can omit the fish and add pan fried tofu cubes and it will be just delicious and soothing!

Adhi-ni-ooo!