Grilled Tuna/Shrimps/Veggies over Buckwheat Salad

You know, looking back 10 years past, like most people, I never  knew what Buckwheat is, nor would I have thought of trying it. Thank goodness for food awareness. Let's get to it. Buckwheat is not wheat but a grain! This is one power packed nature's goodness. High in fiber, magnesium, potassium and protein to mention but a few. FYI, the one used in this recipe is cracked type and easy to cook which makes it perfect for quick and tasty meal!

ingredients...

1 cup cracked buckwheat - thoroughly washed.

1 cup water + 2 Knorr cubes

Direction; combine above ingredients together and bring to boil. Reduce to simmer till grain is aldente..(don't over cook, better when slightly under cook so that it'll fluff). Once cooked, turn into a bowl and let cool while you assemble ingredients below.

1/2 cup chopped washed scallions

1 cup small diced gala apple

1/4 cup small diced red bell peppers

1/2 cup small diced English cucumber

salt to taste

1 tbsp All Purpose Seasoning

1 Tbsp Lemon zest and its juice

1 tsp fresh cracked black pepper

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Garnish with wedged hard boiled egg (optional).

Direction

Combine oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, pepper and seasoning. Check for seasoning. add grains and all other veggies. Stir to combine and set aside.

Tuna & Shrimps

10 oz skinless Tuna steak cut in chunks of 1 oz cube size =10 cuts

2 tbsp. Priscilla's Seafood Seasoning

pinch of salt

1 tsp cayenne pepper

1/4 cup garlic infused oil

1 red bell pepper cut into inch

1 green bell pepper cut into 1 inch

4 long skewers-presoaked for 30 minutes.

Direction

Make dressing by combining seasoning, pepper, oil, salt. Stir in peppers, shrimps and tuna chunks. Skewer in alternate of colors of peppers and tuna. Skewer shrimps alone without veggies. Grill on a high heated grill till shrimps are opaque and tuna is medium rare or well done...your choice.

Plate and top with grilled seafood

That easy...enjoy!!!

Sardine & Egg Sandwich

When I want my omega  3 especially in the morning; I reach for Titus Sardine...remember that brand fellow Nigerians? hmm! I'm telling ya, especially when you wake up late. Now don't judge...can't eat egg the way we used to growing up. Overcooked with proteins crying for help!

come with me and see I how made this simple but tasty brunch...

Ingredients;

1 large egg

1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper

salt to taste

1/2 tsp dijon mustard

1 Titus Sardine

1/4 tsp minced onions and habanero pepper (optional)

Direction;

Use a non stick 5" pan. Set on medium heat. Add 1 tbsp canola oil. Once hot, carefully crack egg in to the center of pan, season with salt and pepper.  Reduce heat to low and cover with lid. Let it cook for just 3-5 minutes till white is completely cooked and yolk slightly runny (Never let it brown)!

While that is ripping, toast 2 sliced multigrain bread to golden brown (this allows for toasty texture that can stand any sauce -in this case the goodness of egg yolk and sardine without tearing and or bread being saggy). Open sardine, drain liquid and whisk with dijon mustard and onion-pepper mixture till emulsified. (it becomes slightly thickened). Check for seasoning or add salt if needed. Plate by layering sardines on toasted bread, top with egg and sauce. If sauce is too much or too runny, use less. This must be served right away so the sauce don't sag your bread.

Note;

if pepper is too hot, use black pepper. If you can't find dijon mustard, use lemon zest. But you need some sort of acid to cut through some richness of egg yolk.

Perfect accompaniment; orange juice and black coffee or just orange juice or beverage of your choice and Apple to round it up!

Bonapetit!

Zobo Vegetable Rice & Zobo Smoothie

"The Magic of Zobo" aka Dehydrated Hibiscus Flowers

Zobo is believed to be a cheap drink for the poor by a lot of people. But what they don't know is that Zobo is high in vitamin C, Calcium and other nutritional minerals. Today I'm showcasing some ways zobo can be used. 

Zobo Vegetable Rice

Plated

Zobo has a deep red color that inspire me to try it in unique ways beside usual steeped alcoholic and non alcoholic beverage. In one of such inquisitive morning like today, it hit me why not "Zobo Vegetable Rice". 

this is how I made it...

1 cup long grain brown rice

1/4 cup garlic infused oil

2 Knorr cubes

1 tbsp Priscilla's All Purpose Seasoning

11/2 cup steeped Zobo drink

1 Bay leaf

2 cups mixed vegetables

1 cup small diced red onions

1 scotch bonnet -minced

Direction

heat oil in a skillet to medium heat.

saute onions to translucent. Wash rice till water run clear and add. Let cook for 2 minutes with onions. Add seasonings, bay leaf, Zobo liquid and salt to taste. Bring to boil and reduce to simmer for about 16 minutes. Add vegetables, stir and turn off heat. Residual heat will cook vegetables for another 3-5 minutes then fluff with fork.

This is a side dish. You may eat it with desired protein.

Do you notice the change in color from deep red to purple? 

this happens when zobo drink is added to any white colored starch/food. But at least, it is something different and it has some under tone earthy flavor...

I had a left over Zobo drink after cooking rice. I also saw my fruit basket has banana that is very ripe. So i thought again Smoothie! 

ingredients

1 ripe banana

4 large ice cubes

1/2 cup zobo drink

Blend to puree consistencty

(if you have a very sweet tooth, you may add little more sugar. For me it was perfectly sweet).

Serve in a chilled glass and refresh!!!!

Do try these in your kitchen and stick with me to see what next we'll be cooking. Till then, keep it simple, keep it fast and tasty!