Author: Kaluhi (Page 7 of 23)

Coconut and Cinnamon Oat Cookies

October 24, 2018 / Kaluhi / 16 Comments

I am so happy that it has started raining this week. At the core of my being, I will always always always looooooove super sunny, hot weather, but there is something that I love about the soothing effect of a grey day. I think it is a universal feeling that we find the sound of rain so relaxing, no? I always pause at the sound of beating rain. And when I have some clothes to change into, or if I am headed home, I will walk in the rain or dance in the rain- depending on my mood lol! This is also the time of year where our ovens grow warm. Where the house is filled with the inviting aromas of warm spices. Where we have our warm socks and giant knitted sweaters on. Cookie in one hand and warm milk in the other.

I love oat cookies because they are no-fuss and take such a short amount of time to make. High in fiber and delicious sounds like a perfect win to me! I made apple chai masala oat cookies a few months back and today, a twist to my favorite: coconut and cinnamon oat cookies. You will love these so much!

Fried Rice, Three Ways

October 17, 2018 / Kaluhi / 30 Comments

Even for people who love being in the kitchen, sometimes, it is a bit exhausting. We all go through those moments we do not want to stand too long in the kitchen cooking, but ironically still, ache to have something sooooo delicious. This is one of my all time favorite lazy meals, and fried rice is a close second! Besides it being a speedy meal, I really love how flexible this is and how wild one can go with experimentation and with different combinations! Whether veg of meaty, fried rice always comes through with flavor so strongly!

Today I want to share with you three of my all time favorite Fried rice recipes, and I hope you will fall in love with, not just one, but all three.

Garlic Rosemary Masala Fries

October 12, 2018 / Kaluhi / 22 Comments

Today is such a gorgeous day, isn’t it? I am typing this as I sit by the window with the bright, warm morning rays on my legs. I am looking at the jacaranda tree outside, whose flowers have just bloomed, and part of why October in Nairobi is always so so beautiful. I am typing this as I watch The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy, which has been part of my nightly routine, but just now decided to squeeze in one episode before I wrap up this post and head off to work on November’s recipes. Weren’t the cartoons us 90’s babies grew up on the real deal? I mean we were served with such delicious variety and I just can’t help but re-live all of them! Power Puff Girls, Courage The Cowardly Dog, Ed, Edd and Eddy, Dexter’s Lab… I mean those were real cartoons! And I have to say, I will always love them, and I refuse to ‘grow up’ coz the heart likes what it likes y’all!

Speaking about good things, today’s recipe is among those that will always be in vogue. Always delicious. Ever so versatile! And an eternal classic!. I loved making these masala fries recipe and hope you love this one as much as I do!

Garlic Minced Meat

October 3, 2018 / Kaluhi / 3 Comments

Minced meat is my favorite lazy meal. Not only is it so delicious to make, but it is also so versatile such that it’s left overs are so amazing in sandwiches, in buns, as part of lasagna and many many maaaaaaaany other things. This recipe has been requested so much by you guys, and I guess I have been postponing making it because I though it was way too easy. But you know what, what is too easy for me may still be worth learning for someone else so I made minced meat anyway! Sorry for keeping you guys waiting!!

The recipe is exclusive to my YouTube channel. It is super detailed and the exact recipe quantities being detailed on the video’s description box. It is so easy to make delicious and beautiful minced meat with local ingredients and my video is testament to that! Thank you for being part of my tribe and hope you love this one as you always enjoy all my recipes.

Here is the link to the video.

Strawberries & Cream Popsicles

September 26, 2018 / Kaluhi / 4 Comments

For some weird reason, luquat season always passes me by. My head hangs over my shoulders as I type that this year has been the same :(((((((. I had such GRAND planed for this years loquat season, which falls on August and September in Kenya. I has plans for sauces, for cakes, for dips and yes, for pospicles as well. I couldn’t get some, but will, I was determined to get my popsicle game up and running. Now that it is super bubbling hot in Kenya, no better snack to have as we cool down than a popsicle. My sad loquat tale aside, I picked myself up and set off to prepare some sunny popsicles that would be so complimentary to a beautiful day such as today!

I loved how my strawberries and cream popsicles turned out! So flavorful! So fruity! So creamy! And so so sooooo delicious! You will love these beauties and thank the heavens that they are so easy to make!

Mini Kenyan Style Kebabs

September 19, 2018 / Kaluhi / 31 Comments

I remember the first time I ate a kebab. I remember standing very eagerly in a sweaty, packed Kenchic, in a queue that never seemed to move any faster, and my tummy that couldn’t rumble any harder. I remember passing my chance to have fries, topping up the cost with my mearger coins just so that I can buy my kebab. I remember smiling once my kebabs were wrapped and handed to me. And I remember this day in particular, not because I enjoyed my kebabs, but because I fell really sick there after. I moved form hunger pangs to running stomach really quick! My first kebab experience was pretty horrific, and such experiences really leave a mark in your psyche! I must admit, since then, I never ever EVER order kebabs form fast food joints. However, there is always a way around every issue. And for e and my kebabs, I decided to learn how to make mine at home. That way, I am 100% sure of the sanitation, their freshness, and a huge bonus being, I have complete freedom regarding the spices herbs and flavors I would like to have! Now, they are one of my fave snacks ever!

The kind of kebabs we have here in Kenya are different form the ones from other nations but delicious nonetheless. Today I am gonna show you how to make them, both in today’s video and this blog post. You are gonna see how easy they are to make! <3

Bay Leaf and Oregano Egg Curry

September 12, 2018 / Kaluhi / 33 Comments

I loooooooooove eggs!! I love eggs in all the shape and forms they come in. If you open my chest, my heart is in the shape of my egg. That is just how deep the love is lol. Eggs are my second love after potatoes. They are my favorite breakfast item and thank God they can be incorporated in other meal groups as well. Upon request of one of my readers, this is another egg recipe that is gonna be a favorite in your home as well. This one you will love, just as you fell head over heels in love with my chicken curry recipe and my ukwaju whole tilapia curry recipe.

This egg curry recipe has such beautiful full flavors, courtesy of spices we can get right here. It is speedy to make, making it perfect for weeknights and when you want to impress guests on short notice. <3

Cumin and Thyme Njahi

August 29, 2018 / Kaluhi / 8 Comments

Njahi is one of those beans that has gotten quite a bad rep. They have been likened to choking hazards, to mud, to poop and everything else imaginable. Woiye, poor little Njahi! You see, once something is poorly prepared, no matter how nutritious, one will grow up to dislike it. However, in my book, njahi, just like everything else, can be made super delicious! I love the richness of the bean and how excellently they take up flavor. I love how nutrient packed they are. I love how they go with quite a number of starches. I love me some njahi!

Today’s recipe is one you will without doubt fall head over heels in love with! I have, as usual made a video to go along with this blog post so make sure you watch it and subscribe while you are at it. Shall we proceed and make some delicious njahi?

Cajun Chicken Wings in Pineapple Tangawizi BBQ Sauce

August 22, 2018 / Kaluhi / 21 Comments

I am one of those people who eats according to what their soul desires. I cook depending on my mood. And for that reason, I have never really abided to a meal plan. What I cook on a particular day is almost 100% dependent on my mood and what I have in my freezer and fridge. I am also one who does not feel shy or guilty for that once in a while indulgence. As long as it is within my recommended daily caloric count, yes, I can eat anything and everything. It is the overdoing that makes a certain food bad. A once in a while treat is completely ok guys <3! That said, my current OBSESSION is my cajun chicken wings with my pineapple tangawizi bbq sauce. How mouthwatering does that sound?!!! It is very easy to make, and this pineapple tangawizi bbq sauce is right up there on the list of one of my all time fave creations!

I hope you love this one as much as you do and slip this recipe among your chicken wing recipes for those days you want something delicious to have!

Coconut Milk Peanut Sauce Matoke

August 15, 2018 / Kaluhi / 39 Comments

My aunt came home from Maragoli with the largest ever mgomba wa matoke I have ever seen. I was so happy since I love how matoke from the western parts of the county taste like, and I embarked on making matoke every other day of that week. I made them just as my mom does, then razed through the recipes I has earlier made for the blog and once I was done, I decided to get my creative juices flowing and create something totally new. As I was brainstorming, I realized I have never made peanut sauce matoke. Memories of a not so pleasant one I tried at an acquaintances home came flooding back into my head. That was the reason I was so wary of than combination. Since I always say everything in this world can be made delicious, I decided to get over my silly fear, do some testing of my own and develop flavors that would work for me , and those that you too, would enjoy!That being said, today I have for you my glorious coconut milk peanut sauce which you will fall head over heels inlove with!!

Garlic Ukwaju Whole Tilapia Curry

August 1, 2018 / Kaluhi / 23 Comments

One of the most difficult questions I find answering is “What inspires your recipes?”. I mean for the most part, my recipes are inspired by nostalgic memories of what I grew up eating and what my mom made for us, but on the other side, literally anything can inspire a recipe. From an aroma, an oduor :D, a texture, a color etc. This recipe was birthed as a result of stress and a bad workday I was having. Sounds weird, but I think most creatives get this. I had spent a Monday creating a video, that took 6 hours to make, only to be told by the client it needed to be deleted. I felt a bit frustrated and stressed so I left the house for a few minutes just to clear my head. Drove around Nairobi for about found myself in Kenyatta Market. I found the ladies just concluding frying fresh Tilapia and decided to get some. On my way home I thought about what I would make, and since I had soaked some ukwaju for extraction before I left, I decided to marry the two. Not only did the development of this recipe cheer me up, but the moment I sat down to eat made me completely forget that I was sad! This is the BEST whole tilapia recipe you will ever ever EVVVVVVEEEEEEEEERRRR try!

Rosemary & Karafuu Potato Soup

July 25, 2018 / Kaluhi / 10 Comments

I have always been a home body! I will choose a night in over a night out without batting an eyelid, without hesitation, without thinking twice. I mean why would I go freeze at some noisy, smoke-filled, crammed room when you have your cosy, warm, peaceful house at your disposal :D? It being very cold in Nairobi at the moment, I am naturally gravitating towards all comforting things, be it food or activities. I have been recreating my past favorite soups alot, this one and this one specifically. A perfect night to me is a delicious soup, warm socks on and binge watching The Handmaid’s Tale . I decided to throw in a new one and here we are with my rosemary and karafuu potato soup. Potatoes are delicious in any form right? And you bet they are just as yummy as a soup. The video to today’s recipe is on my YouTube channel as well so pass by and watch and do not forget to hit that subscription button :)).

This one has just now entered my list of my top three soups and I hope you enjoy this one as well.

Chili Cinnamon Sweet Potato Fries

July 18, 2018 / Kaluhi / 20 Comments

Traffic all over Nairobi at rush hour is usually mind numbingly crazy. I usually just stop thinking about how much time I will waste, lest it makes me irredeemably angry, and just think about everything else and hope to get home soon. My favorite thing to do is people watching. I wonder what the lady in the next matatu is laughing at while on her phone. I wonder what the school child heading home found most fun while at school. I wonder what everyone is thinking and why they are doing what they are doing and try piece together their lives together from my thoughts. Eventually, I will always make eye contact with the very assertive hawkers in traffic. Most I will not purchase anything from, but when I can, I can never let a good deal pass me by. A certain lady was selling enormous sweet potatoes, at a pretty affordable price, and I took just one as I knew it would feed many. I like having sweet potatoes for breakfast, and also as a soup, but this time round I decided to make something different and so glad I settled on sweet potato fries!

This recipe is fiery, sweet and herby all in one and your soon-to-be favorite!

Pea & Mushroom Veg Pilau

July 5, 2018 / Kaluhi / 22 Comments

Veg pilau is highkey just as bomb as any meaty pilau dish? Don’t you agree? I know you do! While there is completely nothing wrong with enjoying meat and meat in your pilau, sometimes a little break from what you have all the time is so refreshing! I have postponed making veg pilau for my blog for such a long time, even though I make it at home so often. But here we are with a new delicious blog post and a dope video to go with it as well.

This recipe is crazy easy! I love how it takes a really short amount of time to cook but the flavors are so explosively good!!! I decided to go with peas, not only for color but I just love how they taste and with mushrooms as well because their earthy flavor and their ‘meaty’ taste adds a great feel to the entire dish. And if you have been following me for a long time, you know I am crazy about my mushrooms! Let’s go!

Coconut Cream Sweet Potato Soup

June 27, 2018 / Kaluhi / 9 Comments

I am kinda warming up to this cold weather (pun intended). I am, in my heart of hearts, a girl who is really into hot weather as I feel that kind of weather really energizes me. But I also love the cozy feel that cold weather brings. I love how evening walks are a lot more bearable with this weather. I am enjoying a less dusty Nairobi. Loving my knits and my boots. And most of all, loving all the delicious soups I am making now which I am excited to share with you in the coming weeks.

For today, I made this delicious, silky, absolutely delicious sweet potato soup! It is so flavorful, rich and crazy easy to prepare. I was quite suppressed that quite a number of my audience, especially on twitter, he have never had some sweet potato soup. If this is your first time coming across sweet potato soup, this is for you. If you have always loved sweet potato soup, add this one to your collection <3

Three Herb Garlic Liver

June 20, 2018 / Kaluhi / 82 Comments

I always have so much happiness when you guys send me feedback via pictures and videos of the #Krecipes you have tried out! That is what gives me so much motivation to keep going; seeing the value that I am adding to your lives. I love showing you off y’all!! You can check out the recipes everyone if trying out via my Instagram highlight tab and twitter hashtag #KupikaNaKaluhi.

I also love it when you exhaust all recipes in a particular category and ask for more, and today’s recipe was a request by one of my most loyal Instagram followers. She has tried all my liver recipes (this one, this one and this one) and requested for one more to enjoy with her fam! Isn’t it amazing how one dish can be cooked in a million different ways and still deliver on flavor?! This fourth liver recipe came with it’s own character. I used three herbs that brought it to life and I couldn’t believe how such complex flavors were developed in such a short amount of time! I am without doubt that you will love this one! <3

Pink Lady® Apple Chai Masala Oat Cookies

June 13, 2018 / Kaluhi / 10 Comments

The air is now cold , thin and still in Nairobi. The sun may peak past the clouds from time to time, but the chilly weather has made it’s presence felt without doubt. For a nation whose people are so used to balmy weather and whose people are, literally and figuratively, born with sunshine in their hearts, 17°C is a bit icy for us Kenyans lol! However on the bright side, this kind of weather makes way for more baking. More indulgent treats. More of our kitchen smelling of warm spices and less of grilled meat. More cake! More crepes! More freshly baked cookies! And this year, I am definitely baking a lot more and stepping into what I may not be used to, but into where I shall learn and grow and without doubt, enjoy! You can bet I will take you on this adventure; and for this gorgeous Wednesday, I give you my amazingly delicious Pink Lady® Apple chai masala oat cookies!

You are going to love this one!

Nutmeg and Clove Vitumbua

June 6, 2018 / Kaluhi / 20 Comments

wa! wa! wa! wa! wa!

FAILING IN THE KITCHEN IS REEEEEEAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!

I have always very honestly spoken about moments recipes backfire on me. I detailed some of my fails on this post but trust me, there are many more LOL! The first time I tried making vitumbua, they failed their way straight to hot hell. They did not even hold together, they were just a pulverized, oily, cat-food-esq disaster. I was sad, not only coz of the backfiring, but because I wasted my afternoon and nothing fruitful came out of my effort. But you know what, my mama never raised a quiter y’all! I went through every little step I made and realized I made about 4 mistakes, not even 1, THREE mistakes hence the initial first disastrous recipe. I gave this another shot and they turned out pretty well! And here we are now! With a new recipe, a new video and plenty of lessons learnt. To you too, when you fail kidogo in the kitchen, get right back up. It happens to everyone and no one reading my blog should give up easily. No sir!

Without further ado, my nutmeg and clove vitumbua! <3

Chili Lemon Garlic Tilapia

May 29, 2018 / Kaluhi / 20 Comments

Maybe I cook tilapia abit too often. Maybe I am too obsessed with this fish, as I am with all others. Maybe I can eat tilapia all day errday and not get bored. I love this fish and I hop on every chance I can get to prepare it and go hard! I love fish! I love tilapia!

This particular recipe was inspired by one my mom makes for us at home. She executed hers so well and I think I did almost as good with mine LOL! I of course added a few tweaks to mine and threw in some of my favorite ingredients and completely enjoyed it! I know you will love my chili lemon garlic tilapia too! I had fun filming the video, and went into great detail as well so do not forget to watch it too (and subscribe <3). Let me introduce you to what is about to be your latest obsession:

Vibibi

May 16, 2018 / Kaluhi / 32 Comments

One of the things I enjoy most in life is cooking with someone I love and having great conversation with them. I was at my friend’s sometime back and she is one of those people who not only loves cooking for her guests, but loves cooking with them. She loves showing off her (exceptional!!!) kitchen skills. And who am I to complain? I love it that at her’s, I am the one being fed. I am the one on the receiving end of deliciousness. I am the one not in an apron. I am the one, watching and learning. On the day we had our date, It started pouring just as I was about to leave. I decided to wait it out and she had just the perfect thing to keep us both occupied: vibibi! She had been soaking some rice for well over 24 hours and was ready to give it a go. On we were with draining, whisking, blending, frying and about an hour and a half later, sitted again devouring very delicious treats with some tea. Thank you Mwende. Next time, we chill at mine <3

That is a short summary of how I learnt to make vibibi. In this post and in today’s video, I make them for you too, but with a few twists of my own and with slight modification. Still, it will be nothing short of delicious!