Monday, 4 February 2019

Buttered Paprika Carrots


Delicious is an understatement when it comes to describing this dish. I am one of those many kids who did not like cooked carrots. Raw carrots I would eat for days without any trouble, I especially loved dipping the raw carrot in salt then munching like a sweet. Cooked carrots on the other hand, was torture eating them. I would try my hardest to eat, but would time when mom was looking away and drop them on the floor, to pick up later when no one was watching. Horrible, I know! But I h.a.t.e.d cooked carrots. I guess it was the way they were cooked so they turned soggy and tasteless and so I could not stand them. Fast forward to gown up me and I realized there are so many ways to cook carrots that made them delicious and not soggy at all! In my cooking adventure I learnt that vegetables need to be cooked for very little time, not only to maintain their crunch but not to loose the awesome nutrients that were in these veggies. Adding spices to carrots also made them that much more delicious as a side dish and even the main dish. Today's recipe was inspired by my need to have something quick, delicious and can be eaten both as a snack and a main meal. Buttered carrots is a lovely way of bringing out the flavour of this vegetable without too much hustle in the kitchen. What are some of the foods that you hated as a child but now enjoy as an adult? Let me know in the comments below, let's share our experiences!

Sunday, 3 February 2019

Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice Mix


Making your own spice mixes is the best decision you can ever make for yourself and your family. Homemade is the best because you know what exactly you have in the mix and to what quantities you like. Pumpkin spice mix is a mixture of some of the warm spices that are readily available anywhere in the market. Spices bring life and flavor to food, whether you are using a single spice or mixing it up to ump the flavor and intensity, spices should be an integral part of your pantry. Spices not only add these wonderful memory invoking taste, they are healthy as well, and combining the spices gives you the added benefit of getting the most out of the nutrients the spices provide. It really takes  few second to make this awesome spice blend and will keep for several weeks if you do not use it regularly. Use pumpkin spice mix for several recipes like pumpkin pie, pumpkin latee or even to flavour teas. I love how fragrant and warm this mix is, gives you the feeling of seeping a warm cuppa tea, legs crossed over your sofa on a dreary rainy day, so comforting. 

Saturday, 2 February 2019

Mango Chia Overnight Oats



I'm starting or rather continuing healthy eating with oats. Overnight oats to be precise, fast, quick and filling. The best part of making overnight oats is that you can top up with fruits, nuts, granola, seeds or even chocolate. It's mango season again and I thought why not make it a fruit oats meal that is vibrant and tropical plus of course delicious! I had fun making the strawberry one so this was even more exciting coming up with the flavor combinations. Oats contain carbohydrates, fiber, protein and good fat which gives the body the daily recommended nutrients and keeps you full for the rest of the day. This is turn lowers the risk of hear disease and reduces the level of blood cholesterol. Mangoes on the other side give you Vitamin C and folate while chia seeds are rich in protein, calcium, iron, carbohydrates and good dietary minerals. Combine these three ingredients and you are on your way to a filling healthy breakfast or snack option that will leave you satisfied and peace of mind. Mangoes are still in season so you have to take advantage of them to add delicious fruits to your diet. Overnight oats are great because you use minimal effort but the next day you have breakfast ready to go that has all the elements of healthy eating and/or snacking.

Friday, 1 February 2019

Crispy Skin Twice Fried Breakfast Potatoes


Happy New Month! We survived the 90days of January! Haha! It's February people, the month of love and red and food. I know you'd expect me to start with sweet dessert in red colors and what not, maybe that will come in layer, but for now let's begin this new month with something savory. To start us off, its this delicious breakfast potato recipe. Lately I have been craving fried foods, not sure why but I seem to want more of potatoes. I love that potatoes are always in season and you can literally have access to them in any shop. And since they are easy to cook and fast too, seems like the best option to pick at any given moment. Last year I made a delicious cumin turmeric potato dish and this time I wanted something simple but still tasty as well. For this potato recipe I opted to do a skin on potato dish. The potato skin is not only adding flavor but adding a touch of crunch that I love. So let's have some yummy breakfast potatoes, shall we?
© Nairobi Kitchen
Maira Gall