Ofe Nsala

Hey guys, first thing I want to do is apologize for being MIA. When you get married, your whole life changes! I went from going to school and working (thinking about myself) to now a full-time wife who has think about what her husband will eat Lol. I am so thankful for this new chapter in my life, because of my husband it has given me new recipe ideas and inspiration.

Ofe Nsala (white soup) is One of my all-time favorites Nigerian soup. It’s a white based soup made with fresh fish and uziza leaf. Many tribes in Nigeria make this soup in different versions. As you know I’m front the Igbo tribe, we make this soup with the native leaf Uziza or utazi leaf.

I consulted my sister in-law for some tips on how to make ofe-Nsala, the traditional way. She came all the way through, Thanks Vi-Vi.

I hope you enjoy this authentic recipe, it will surely bring home to your taste buds.

Ingredients

1 large catfish (skin on, chopped into 6-8 pieces)

1/4 c of crayfish

2 Tbsp of pepe soup mix

1/4 cup of uZiza leaf

2-3 pieces of cut yam

2 Tbsp of red pepper

3 Maggi cubes

1 tbsp of ogiri

1 small onion

Stock fish ( I uses a small amount )

1 small dry fish

2 pepe

Prep

Boil yam and stock fish until tender. Mash yam in mortar or blend with small water in blender.

Soak dry fish in warm water

Blend 2 pepe (habanero or scotch bonnet) with small water

Begin

Take the cat fish and place into a large pot. Cover the catfish with water. Begin to season with 1 Maggi cube, onion powder , salt and pepper. Add in 1 small chopped onions. Bring to a boil, cook only for 6-10 minutes. You want to parboil the fish, to make a fish broth. Remove fish from the broth. (your fish should be half way cooked)

Next Add into the broth, the crayfish, ogiri , pepper, Maggie cubes, pepper soup mix, and uziza leaves. Also add in your dry fish and stock fish. Bring to a boil while stirring.

Next add your pounded yam paste, table spoon by table spoon. Continue to cook on medium- high heat while stirring . The pounded yam will melt into the soup. Continue to add more pounded yam to your preference, depending on how thick you want your soup.

Lastly add your catfish back into the soup . Continue to cook on low for about 5-10 minutes making sure your catfish is done.

Enjoy with Pounded yam.

Please drop your questions below.

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Buttery Cilantro-Lemon Shrimp

I needed some kind of protein to add to my salad and of course Shrimp was the perfect idea. Sautéed with garlic, butter, cilantro, and lemon these shrimp were to die for. It took my salad to another level. To all my keto lovers, you will love this recipe. Let me know what you think!

Ingredients

3- TBSP of unsalted butter

1 lb of raw, peeled shrimp

2 tsp of garlic powder

1/2 tsp of salt

1/2 tsp of paprika

1 tsp of black pepper

3 tbsp of minced cilantro

1/2 lemon sliced thinly

2 tbsp of lemon juice

3 cloves garlic, minced

Season shrimp with above seasonings and lemon juice, mix well.

Heat up a skillet on medium-high heat. Add in 2 tablespoons of butter, allow to melt. Also add in sliced lemon.

Once butter is melted, add in minced garlic, allow to saute for about 1-2 minutes.

Next add in 2 Tbsp of cilantro, Shrimp, and the last tablespoon of butter.

Lower heat to medium .

Continue to cook shrimp 1-2 minutes on each side.

Once Shrimp is done ( turned pink), sprinkle with 1tbsp of chopped cilantro.

Enjoy !

P.S.- add shrimp into a salad or enjoy with zero noodles.

 

Cajun Alfredo Wings 

Super Bowl Sunday is around the corner!! If you are hosting a party or invited to one, this recipe will really take the party to another level. These wings are so yummy I can’t even describe them. 
Ingredients 

2 lbs of chicken wings 

1.5 cups of whipping cream

1 cup of parmesan cheese

1/2 cup mozzarella cheese

3 tbsp a of butter

2 tbsps of garlic 

1/2 tsp of nutmeg 

1 tsp of garlic powder 

1tsp of cayenne pepper

1/2 tsp of paprika 

Parsley 

Preheat oven to 365. Season chicken with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and season all spice. 

Bake for 45 mins -55 mins.

Meanwhile in a pan melt buter, add in minced garlic. 

Next add in whipping cream, continue to mix, keeping heat on medium low heat. 

Next add in Parmesan and mozzarella cheese, continue to turn mixture, while it becomes thickened. 

Add nutmeg, garlic , cayenne pepper, and paprika . Cook for 2 minutes then turn off the heat .


Take Alfredo sauce and pour over wings. Place wings back in oven, broil for 3-5 minutes.


Garnish with chopped parsley and Parmesan. Enjoy 

Buttery Suya Crabs

Suya and crabs mixed together is heaven. Try my new invention!!

Ingredients

2 crab claws

3 tbsp of minced garlic

3 tbsp of chopped fresh rosemary

cajun spice

kegos kitchen suya spice ( or any Suya spice lol)

garlic powder

paprika

black pepper

2 tbsp of brown sugar

2 tbsp of harbanero sauce

1/2 lemon

1/2 a stick of butter

Preheat oven to 350

Begin to melt butter in a small pot on low heat. Add in rosemary and garlic. Next add in 2 pinches of the above seasoning ( except for the suya ). Lastly squeeze in the lemon juice. Allow to simmer, then add in brown sugar.


Sprinkle about 3 tbsp of suya spice over the crab

With a brush, begin to baste the crab legs with the sauce. When done place in oven for 20 minutes. At 10 minute mark remove and re-baste with the liquid in the pan.


Garnish with chopped parsley.


Enjoy

Very Berry smoothie

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After a hard workout it’s very important to replenish your body with protein. This protein shake is full of antioxiandants. I used my favorite protein powder Cellucor. Try out my yummy recipe below.

Ingredients

1 scoop of vanilla protein

1/2 cup of blueberries

1/2 cup of strawberries

1 cup of skim milk or almond milk

1/2 cup of ice

Blend all ingredients in a blender for 2 minutes and enjoy.

 

Cajun Five Cheese Potato Casserole

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Anything with 5 cheeses must be good !! This recipe is going to explode your taste buds

Ingredients 

8 russet potatoes

1/2 cup Colby cheese

1/2 cup of sharp cheddar cheese

1/2 cup  mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup gouda cheese

1 tsp of garlic powder

2 tsp of cajun seasoning

salt

black pepper

1 cup of cream

3 tbsp of butter

1/2 cup of grated parmesan

1/4 cup of bread crumbs

1 tbsp of powder

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Wash and cut your potatoes in half. Season with salt and black pepper. Place on oiled baking sheet. Bake/ roast for 45 minutes until done. (Remember to flip at the half way mark)

While your potatoes are baking, lets start making the cheese sauce.

In a pot on medium heat, melt 3 tbsp of butter in 1/2 a cup of cream. Add in flour and begin to whisk quickly.Add in all your cheese except for the parmesan. Continue to mix until smooth.

Next add in your roasted potatoes and mix for 2 minutes. Add in garlic and cajun spice.

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Take the potato mixture and place in a baking pan. Place in oven for 10 minutes at 350 degrees.

Top with parmesan, bread crumbs and parsley. Enjoy

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Baked Moi Moi Cups

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Moi Moi also known as bean cake, is a popular type of food in Nigeria, made out of beans, onions and peppers. Usually one can enjoy them in steamed form. But baking is so much easier. Also making them into cup form turns it into an easy on-the-go snack or meal. Not to mention this is #fitfam approved.  I hope you enjoy my recipe.

Ingredients

1 and 1/2 cups of black eye beans

1 chopped onion

1 large red bell pepper

1 tsp of nutmeg

1 tsp of ginger

2 large cooking spoons of palm oil or olive oil

salt

1 maggi cube

1/2 cup of ground crayfish

1 habanero

12 count muffin pan

Preheat your oven to 375 F. Preferably soak your beans over night to loosen the skin. remove skin from the beans.

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Combine the beans, habanero, onion,red bell pepper, and 1 cup of war water. Blend until smooth. Pour into a large bowl.

 

In a separate bowl warm your oil in the microwave for about 1 minute. Add in your maggi and mix .

Add in the oil mixture into the large bowl. Also add in the crayfish, nutmeg, ginger, and a little salt

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*Be sure to taste your batter, making sure there is enough salt.

With an electric mixer or spatula, mix the batter for a good 3-5 minutes, until smooth.

Oil cupcake pan with oil.

Pour in batter into each cup, making sure no to fill to the rim

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Pour water into a baking tray, place muffin tray into the baking tray (the steam from the water will help cook the moi moi)

  • optional: you can now add pieces of egg, corned beef, or fish into your muffin

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Cover muffin pan with foil. Place in the center of oven. Bake for 45 minutes. At the halfway mark, make sure there is still water in the baking pan, refill as needed. Check your moi moi with a toothpick by sticking it in the center, if it comes out dry it is done. If its wet, continue to bake for about 5-10 minutes.

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When done allow to cool for 30 minutes. Enjoy

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Firecracker Shrimp

 

imageWe all have busy lifestyles. Sometimes we don’t have enough time to prepare meals. That’s why its important to always quick recipes on hand . This meal took me nothing less than 10 minutes to make! Adding crushed red pepper to your shrimp will surely add an extra kick to your taste buds.  I hope you enjoy this spicy, quick, and easy recipe.

Ingredients

1 lb of shell free shrimp

2 pinches of red pepper flakes

2 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil

2 tbsp of minced garlic

salt

black pepper

3 tbsp of chopped fresh parsley

1/2 tsp of cayenne pepper

2 tbsp cup white whine vinegar

1 tbsp of light butter

1/4 lemon

Season shrimp with salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder.

In a skillet heat up oil, add in minced garlic and begin to cook for 1 minute. Next add in shrimp, red pepper flakes, and parsley . Squeeze in the lemon also. Continue to cook on medium heat for 1 -2 minutes. Next add in white vinegar and butter. Continue to stir fr 1 minute. Remove from heat and serve with steam veggies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spicy Coconut Shrimp and Lobster

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Have you ever wondered what to do with left over coconut milk? Make coconut shrimp and lobster. I love seafood and anything that has to do with coconut. So i knew that this meal would be so yummy. Hope you enjoy this recipe. #Fitfamapproved

Ingredients

1 lb of shrimp

1-2 lobster tails

1/2 cup of light coconut milk

fresh cilantro

1/4 cup of coconut oil

1 onion chopped

3 tbsp of minced garlic

1/4 tsp of cumin

1 tbsp of cayenne pepper

2 tomatoes chopped

1 tsp of black pepper

1 tsp of garlic powder

1tsp ginger

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

1 harbanero

Preseason your shrimp and lobster with salt,pepper, garlic powder, cajun seasoning, and ginger powder. Place aside

In a large frying pan, heat up the oil. Add in the onions, habanero, and tomatoes to cook for about 3-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and stir, continue to cook for additional 2 minutes. Add in above measured seasonings .

Add in Shrimp and Lobster (shell up). Also add in chopped in parsley. Continue to cook for 3 minutes.

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Next add in coconut milk. Mix and continue to cook for an additional 3 minuets while turning the shells.

Remove from heat, stir in chopped cilantro and serve with brown rice. Enjoy!

 

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Waffle Benedict

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My cousin came in from out of the country. I wanted to make her something that was sweet and savory. A waffle Benedict was the right choice. Cinnamon waffles with a homemade strawberry glaze, topped with smoked ham and a perfect hollandaise, this meal was so delightful. My benedict recipe is already posted on the blog. Below is how to make the homemade strawberry glaze.

Glaze

1 cup of strawberries

1 tbsp of brown sugar

1/2 tsp of nutmeg

1/2 tsp of cinnamon

Blend strawberries with 3 tbsp of water. Strain strawberry mixture into a pot, two times. Begin to bring strawberries to a boil, add in spices and sugar. Continue to boil on medium low heat for 5 minutes. Top on top of your waffle and enjoy

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