Nairobi Kitchen

Peeling raw or green bananas has always been a hustle for me, probably why I haven't been cooking them. Whenever you peel green raw bananas, there is that sticky stuff that gets left behind on your fingers and hands. Plus there is a dark purplelish stain that also sticks to your palms. You need to thoroughly wash your hands after with something rough in order to remove thr stain and stickiness. I have heard of tips like smearing your hands with oil before chopping raw green bananas, soaking the bananas in salty water first before chopping or even covering or wrapping your hands with plastic paperbags and the chopping. Well apart from being such a hustle, paperbags were banned in Kenya so that is scrapped off. The method that I have seen is fast and though it does not scrape off all the stain, at least the stickiness is reduced and you do finish much faster. Another advantage is that you will not be chopping off too much flesh from the green raw bananas. So here is how I peel green raw bananas that I used for my matoke recipe.

Avocados aren't just delicious, they're also perfect for creating stunning garnishes that elevate your dish visually and nutritionally. Whether you're aiming for an avocado fan, avocado rose, or elegant slices, this guide will walk you through easy, step-by-step techniques to turn a ripe avocado into edible art. For me, Avocados are life! Since they are seasonal fruits, I always look forward to their arrival with bated breath, like my life depended on me getting the avocado. 

I live, live for the days when I can have my hands on avocados so that I can eat them as fruits, desserts, or even the main meal. How awesomely delicious is guacamole that you can eat with this delicious Kenyan style nyama choma without the guilt? It is said that people first eat their food by sight. 

How food is presented really matters, especially to us foodies who sometimes get too clinically obsessed when it comes to food pairings and presentations. One of the best ways to present interesting and delicious-looking food is by garnishes. Garnishing food just gives it that much more EXTRA vibe! Food should never be boring. 

Even if you are just making for yourself, a little garnish won't hurt. So I thought I would combine my love for avocado and garnishing and present to you how to create an avocado garnish or also known as Avocado Rose. When creating an avocado rose, make sure you do not use an over-ripe avocado. It should be firm so that you can slice it as thinly as possible, and it will not get all mushy on you.

Make sure to sprinkle lemon juice on the avocado so that it does not turn grey before you have had the chance to present it. You can garnish your toast, bread, salad, and main meals with this avocado rose, making the food already appetizing and beautiful to look at. Such an easy method that you can try out to give your food a touch of classy cuisine. Have you made an avocado rose before? Let me know

Peel off the skin careful not to squish the avocado or break it

Lay one half of the avocado cut side down on a chopping board or clean work surface 

Slice avocado thinly. It is important that the slices be thin enough so that they are easier to shape

Fan out the avocado slices so that they can form a long line that has slices overlapping each other

Starting from one end curl avocado  slices towards the center 

Continue to curl the avocado slices into the center until you get a rose like shape 

Craving homemade pasta but don’t have a pasta machine? No problem! This no-machine homemade fresh pasta dough recipe is designed so anyone can create authentic pasta from scratch using just a rolling pin, your hands, and a little patience. With only a few basic pasta dough ingredients, you can prepare soft, silky noodles perfect for dishes like ravioli, fettuccine, or tagliatelle, all without expensive tools. Making pasta by hand is one of those kitchen skills that instantly makes you feel connected to centuries of Italian culinary tradition. It’s tactile, meditative, and surprisingly straightforward once you know the right steps. So, whether you’re a curious beginner or someone looking to improve their pasta-making game, this is your chance to create perfect pasta dough without fuss.