Homemade zesty sugarcane juice (sugarcane juice)

During my weekly shopping sometime last week, I spotted a market trader selling sugarcane!!!

Oh my! This ignited so many childhood memories and I just had to get some!

However, the only thing I disliked and still dislike about sugarcanes is having to chew to extract the juice as it gets quite stressful for my jaws! That's one chewing that can be quite a chore, tiring! 

Anyway,  being a #foodie, I thought to myself "why not extract the juice"... Nothing new about this but I hadn't tried it that way before!!!.. 

So guys, here's a peek at how I went about making it into a zesty drink.

Unfortunately the limes and lemons added are not pictured as I didn't really plan to document it on the blog.

If you are looking for a new refreshing taste this summer, this might just be your best bet!!!

Ingredients 

*Sugarcanes

*Lemons (I added 2 lemons to mine)

*Lime (and 1 lime)

*water (little at a time)

Equipment 

*Knife

*Food processor or mortar/pestle 

*Sieve

*Cotton flannel

Step 1... Peel using a knife, then cut into small chunks 

Step 2. Pour the chopped up sugarcane into the food processor, add in some water, lemon and lime juice, then blend (if required, add in little water)

Step 3. Place a sieve over a bowl, then place cotton flannel over it... 

Step 4. Pour the blended mix on the cotton flannel, 

Step 5... Squeeze generously to extract the juice... Then discard the remenat. Pour the juice in a bottle, then chill...(my recommendation consume within 24hr)

Here's my super refreshing and on point drink!

Egg muffins

Eggs are one awesome food in terms of nutrients and versatility. Egg muffins are another awesome and fun way to have your eggs as you can add whatever toppings you fancy. I really love this meal and it was also a hit with the kids!!! Did I mention they are super healthy?

I decided to use two different types of eggs for the fun of it. I used regular chicken eggs and quail eggs which I love.

Bear in mind though, whatever eggs  or toppings you use, the process remains the same. Also remember to preheat the oven before commencing to gas Mark 5.

Ingredients 

*Eggs (I use chicken and quail eggs)

*Mixed Olives with sundried pepper

*Cherry tomatoes

*Corned beef

*Chilli peppers

*Spring greens 

*Butter

(A cooking spray or olive oil can be used in place of butter. Toppings like cheese, sausages, onions, parsley, thyme and bell peppers are also good options).

Step 1. Grease the muffin tin with butter, be generous with it 

Step 2. Break the eggs 1 at a time into the muffin bowls.. Then start adding in the toppings 

Step 3. Next top with little butter, then place inside the oven to bake for 4-6mins

And it's ready...The kids and I enjoyed the process and the outcome. They looked so cute once cooked.

These muffins were super yummy as all the ingredients added their own personal flavour to the eggs. 

Coconut fried rice

Coconut rice has a strong appeal because of its unique, distinctive nutty taste.

For most Nigerians, our go to rice has always been white, jollof and fried rice. If you happen to be one of the tons and tons of people who are yet to try this type of rice, you've been missing. 

There are various types of coconut rice worldwide and even in Nigeria. The basic traditional coconut rice cooked by the efik people involves coconut and crayfish/shrimp. Lots of modern day Nigerian cooks and chefs also incorporate coconut milk into Jollof rice.  Today's recipe is all about my unique Coconut Fried Rice.

The secret to perfect tasting coconut fried ric...

* Freshly squeezed coconut milk

* Fresh coconut desiccate

* Coconut oil

These three combined brings out the best taste in your coconut fried rice. 

INGREDIENTS

*Rice

*Red hot chilli peppers (Atarodo or shombo would do just fine)

*Mixed colour bell peppers (Tatashe)or any other vegetable of your choice (sweet corn, peas, chopped carrots)

*Fresh prawns

*Spring onions 

*Stock cubes

*Thyme 

*Frankfurter or any sausage meat of your choice 

*Coconut milk (click to see how to extract coconut milk)

*Coconut oil

*Coconut desiccate 

PREPARATION

Step 1. Pour the extracted coconut milk into a pot (make sure it's enough to soften the rice), then place on the cooker. Allow to boil, while you wash the rice

Step 2. Pour in the washed rice

Step 3. Add in some stock cube... 

Step 4. In a wok or frying pan, add your spoon of coconut oil.. 

Step 5. Add in the chopped vegetables 

Step 6. Next the coconut desiccate  (the aroma at this point is orgasmic)

Step 7. Next add in the remaining stock cube, thyme and then the prawns and chopped frankfurter... Allow to fry just for 2mins as you don't want to loss the crunchiness of the peppers as well as overcook the prawns 

Step 8. Once the rice has almost cooked add the fried mix into the rice. Stir together, then allow to simmer further until softened to your likeness (Some like it al dente).

Finally.... It's time to dig in, I resisted going for more.. But my kids were not with me on that train... they just kept coming for more servings as it was sooooo good! 

#blessthem 

Slimline okro soup.. (Oilless)

For our fellow weight watchers, this one is for you!

It's a healthy, waistline friendly okro soup without any added oil yet very tasty and packed with essential nutrients and all the benefits of okra. This is one of those healthy meals the entire family will never hesitant to eat with you.

INGREDIENTS 

1kg okro

2 scotch bonnet 

2 large size red bell peppers 

Stock cubes

Crayfish 

Mixed meat 

Fresh or cooked prawns 

Ugwu leaves (blanched in hot water)

Fish (optional)

****Peppersoup spices (optional)

PREPARATION

Step1. Blend the red peppers and scotch bonnet, pour in a pot then place on the cooker to boil

Step 2. Add in the stock cubes 

Step 3. Add in the meat and fish

Step 4. Add in the crayfish, and allow to cook for 2 mins 

Step 5. Add in the okro 

Step 6.. Immediately the blanched ugwu leaves , then stir 

Step 7. After 2 mins add in the prawns..

Step 8. Stir nicely, then taste for seasoning... At this point you can add in the peppersoup spices of required. Cook for another 4min and its ready 

Coconut milk and banana ice cream (homemade coconut ice cream)

This cheap and easy home made treat is fun for the family and also nutritious.

If you are a lover of coconuts, here's one more thing for you to try.

For an added tropical feel, dessicated coconut can be added during the whisking stage.

 INGREDIENTS 

500ml coconut milk  (How to extract coconut milk)

1 ripened banana 

Some ice cubes 

5 seedless prunes (you can substitute for dates)

1/2 nutmeg

2tbsp sweetener (feel free to add in syrup or sugar)

1tbsp vanilla extract

Add all the ingredients into a blender or smoothie maker 

After blending pour the mix into a large bowl (if using ice cream maker, pour the blended mix into the maker, and let the magic happen). 

Whisk to incorporate air and make lighter.

Transfer into a freezer bowl, then freeze while continuing to whisk every 30mins up to 4hours. Make sure you don't skip the whisking so you don't end up with a frozen block!

So tasty and creamy, you won't believe it's homemade....

How to make coconut flour (homemade coconut flour)

Ingredients

4 coconut or more

*click for tutorial on how to extract coconut milk and get the pulps***

Step 1. Make sure to squeeze all the coconut milk out... The pour the pulp on a clean tray

Step 2. Spread out evenly..  Kindly cover with a cover with a kitchen net or muslin square, this help prevents sort from getting into the pulps while they dry out.  

Step 3. Leave to dry for 2-3days, after these day pour the pulps into a mill grinder, then blend 

Step 4. Now pour the blended pulp into a sieve and seive discarding the left over pulps in the seive 

Once done, pour the coconut flour into a air tight container and store in a dry place. Make sure to label and use with 2weeks... Remember it contains no preservatives so longivity cannot be guaranteed 

Homemade coconut milk bulgur stir fry (bulgur wheat)

Healthy and clean eating doesn't have to be boring!!!

Here's my special bulgur with tropical tastes from coconut in a stirfry! 

Give it a shot to avoid monotonous meals when watching your weight.

*170ml coconut milk (homemade preferably 

*100g bulgur wheat 

*fresh prawns

*2tsp chilli flakes or fresh chilli

*1/2 dried or fresh thyme

*precooked sweetcorn 

*1tbsp oil

*1 stock cube

1. Pour the coconut in a small pot, then add in the bulgur wheat and half stock cube. Cook until tender and no water left inside

2. In a frying pan, pour in the oil then add in the prawns, chilli, remaining stock cube and thyme

3. Stir and allow the prawns to cook for 3mins (avoid overcooking). Then add in the sweetcorn 

4. After a mins adding in the sweetcorn, scoop in the cooked bulgur wheat, then stir allowing to combine for 1 mins before taking it off the heat 

Nomnom... This is the business force free and super easy to cook