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Achari Mushroom Farfelle Pasta

May 10, 2018 / Kaluhi / 14 Comments

I love the amazing inspiration I get form my fellow Kenyan foodies for all the recipes I try out. One of my faves is @soni.side.up (you have to follow her guys!!!). She is hella creative, so funny as well and one of my favorite people whose opinion on restaurants shapes where I will or will not visit. That’s how dope she is! I love her very fun, very witty #WouldYouRatherWednesday polls which I always have to be part of! Last week, she had a pasta week, where each day she would either be dining out in Nairobi’s best and hidden Italian restaurants for pasta and also made some of her own at home. Her escapades inspired today’s recipe and made me want to be more adventurous with my pasta and eat more of it.

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I did <3

Chili Rosemary Chicken Mshikaki with Zesty Dania Dip

May 2, 2018 / Kaluhi / 21 Comments

Chicken mshikaki reminds me of my days growing up in Lang’ata. We never had as much street food as let’s say Pangani and Eastleigh has, but what we did have made our evenings super exciting. With the cover of dusk, streets lined up with people selling all kinds of things. Hissing sound searing of mutura, smoke rising from jikos being fanned before roasting the maize, mshikaki being skewered for roasting and sold with viazi karai, kaleidoscopes of mabuyu and one shilling ice displayed for passer-bys to choose from were some of the things that made my evenings and walks from school so fun. Things in my childhood neighborhood have since changed but all the fun times remain cemented in my very soul!

To celebrate one of my faves, today’s recipe draws inspiration from chicken mshikaki I used to enjoy snacking on growing up. Of course, in true Kaluhi fashion, my rendition on it has shaken things up, turned up the spice dial and even thrown in a dip. Let’s get to it!

Labania za Maziwa

April 25, 2018 / Kaluhi / 28 Comments

My boarding school was one of those super strict, super structured, super rigid catholic boarding schools. I often say, if it weren’t for my friends, who are my forever friends, and for the company they offered, I would have gone crazy. Most rules never made sense, but you know, we just went with it. We were not allowed to carry much junk food, which I personally did not mind since I have never been a sweet tooth anyway. But what we had ,we made sure to make use of. Most people went overboard with milk powder, making biscuit sandwiches with them , heck even licking it as it was. We were desperate! 😀 It was eventually banned as well. I decided to get a pack and relieve those days. It did not taste as good as it did back them, but since I was not going to waste it, I decided to prepare a snack with them.

Labania za maziwa can be classified as a sweet. They are chewy in texture, just as a fudge would be. They are easy to make right at home, which is always a plus since you can control how much sugar goes into them. This is what we are getting into today and I am so sure you will love them as much as I do! <3

Thyme Habanero Matumbo

April 18, 2018 / Kaluhi / 42 Comments

I have been toying with the idea of making another matumbo recipe for you guys! After the first one I made 3 years ago and seeing how you guys loved (and still do:)) that one, I though why not! After all, there are always more than one way to cook any particular dish. Now that it is cooler in Nairobi, my pallete usually gravitated to super rich, super savory meals. Naturally matumbo had to feature. I enjoyed putting together the flavors of this recipes and had so much fun making the video as well. Nothing compares to the sheer ecstasy of having my thyme habanero matumbo, together with you favorite traditional mboga (let’s be real, traditional veggies are better than everything else in the world!!) plus some hot ugali and mala!! The epitome of all things delicious and comforting! Everything can be delicious! Everything can be cooked in a beautiful way! And that includes matumbo!

Hope you love this recipe just as much as I did. <3

Thyme and Oregano Lamb Chops

April 11, 2018 / Kaluhi / 19 Comments

I am one of those people who cannot get something out of their mind once they start craving it. I may momentarily concentrate at the task at hand, but rest assured that what I want to eat is that lingering thought I will always have. Having not had lamb in a long time prior to this, and really wanting to have some, I was totally not going to rest or concentrate on anything until I had some. And you know what, I went out and got myself some lamb, made a delicious marinate for it and cooked it the next day. I could hardly sit through the marination, but I knew I wanted it delicious so I had to wait. And yes, it was worth the wait! This was one very very simple recipe, but as always, one you will fall inlove with <3.

Orange Ginger Cinnamon Rolls

April 4, 2018 / Kaluhi / 8 Comments

My eldest sister cheredi has always been the baker of the family. She always does really make the sweetest baked treated and very very effortlessly they turn out perfectly! Best believe I am always the one to push my sisters out of the way whenever she brings home one of her cakes. This year i have challenged myself to do more baking. I hardly ever do, I do not know why, but it is about time I dipped my feet into it, don’t you think so? And for today my orange ginger cinnamon rolls will be the first of many delicious treats you will see this year. I had plenty of fun making the video as well. This recipe was inspired by a cake my sister made some time back, that I shared a picture with you guys on Instagram. Needless to say, they turned out extra delicious and for that, I am thrilled!!! Here we go!!

Pineapple Tree tomato Milkshake with Date Syrup

March 28, 2018 / Kaluhi / 4 Comments

One of the most infuriating things about Nairobi is how much traffic we have to endure day after day. It is either there is not traffic or you are stuck in a hell hole of none moving vehicles. But one person’s nightmare is another persons dream!!! While we hate the snarl up, most hawkers make the best of the situation, woo potential customers and try to sell as much of their merchendize as they can. And when luck is on your side, you too can be able to make some pretty dope purchases; which for me, I always gravitate towards fresh produce. After brunch with my friends this past Saturday and being stuck in traffic for about 45 min, the only nice thing I can say about that situation is that I managed to get some really fresh maize, the sweetest sweet bananas, new sunglasses and a great portion of tree tomatoes. I got some for my mum as well since she loves them and majority of the ones I got for myself went into the milkshake I am sharing with you today!

Lunch at Picazzo

March 21, 2018 / Kaluhi / 0 Comments

There are some days I eat way too much and indulge more than usual. The day I went to Picazzo with my sister was one of those days. My morning began with a hearty breakfast of fresh cardamom maandazi my mom had made, eggs and sausages. Since I had promised my youngest sister I would take her out for lunch to Picazzo that day, that also became another opportunity to indulge. Later that evening, I was taking my bestie out for dinner for her birthday celebration at my favorite restaurant in Westlands, that she had never been too. I literally spent the entire day eating. I proudly waddled all over Nairobi with my food baby and truly tried my best to suck in my food pregnancy for the photos. Can you tell? I’m sure you can LOL!

It being my first time at Picazzo, and the restaurant being pretty new, I decided to turn it to a review for you guys. Remember, a review is an opinion, hence is subjective, so remember what one likes may be what you hate or vice versa since we are all different and that’s ok and normal. I encourage you to check it out yourself nonetheless and see how you like it <3.

So here we go!

Garlic and Cumin Ndengu

March 13, 2018 / Kaluhi / 22 Comments

Ladies, have you ever cheated on your eyebrows guy and ended up with thunder bolts on your face that you have to put up with until the hair grows back? Or guys, those times you cheat on your barber and end up with a hairline that has been receeded all the way to 1678? Yup! We have all experienced such moments! I am one person who is loyal to my people and my products. But sometimes, I decide I know better and such decisions I always regret. Always! Yet I never learn! I wanted to cook these ndengu with coconut milk, but I decided to buy a different brand, one that I have never used. All I know is, coconut milk does not look like gelatin. Moral of the story is, do not cheat on what has been true to you for years :DDDD. I threw out that can and I had to think fast how to cook the ndengu in a non-basic now that one key ingredient was out. That incident may have been a blessing in disguise because the marvelous beauty that resulted was worth the hustle.

Have you been looking for the best ndengu (mung beans) recipe on earth? Your search ends today!

Chili Mango and Lime Cocktail

March 1, 2018 / Kaluhi / 4 Comments

And now, March is upon us! Happy New Month #KNation!

I have a love hate relationship with our hot season. I dislike the dust and the crippling heat especially when one has errands, but there are also plenty of things I celebrate about it. I love that even at night, it is warm, and I do not have to worry about carrying a coat. I love that more sunshine in all it’s intensity, favors taking beautiful pictures and videos. I love that my little dresses and shorts can now come out and plaaaaaay! I love that it is during this time of year that mangoes are overflowing in every single corner of the country and being my favorite fruit, you can bet that I am over eating them each day and trying as much as I can to incorporate them in everything!

Today, I give you a cocktail that has flavors reminicent of, chili mangoes, my favorite childhood after-school snack (still love it though<3). Bold, out of the box, full of flavor and of course, delicious!

Here we go!

Chicken Curry

February 21, 2018 / Kaluhi / 69 Comments

Nowadays I have been eating very little meat. Not for any particular reason, or any particular goal in mind, I just found myself having almost none in my servings even in two weeks. But when I do feel like having some, I make sure I make it DELICIOUS! Now I am falling back in love with my meat and I am having plenty of lamb and chicken now. My current favorite ways of cooking my chicken are my kuku wa kupaka (if you have not tried out my recipe yet, what are you waiting for?) and chicken curry. I was shocked when I realized I have not shared this recipe with you guys yet, and decided this month would not end without you having a taste of this awesomeness. It is so easy to make, does not take mush time and it is explosively delicious, in true Kaluhi fashion. This is about to be your newest favorite!

Goat Biryani

February 13, 2018 / Kaluhi / 22 Comments

Do you have those things that you postpone doing for such a long time and when you finally do it, you wonder why you put it off for so so so long? Yea, I know you can relate! You guys have been asking for a biryani recipe literally since the day I started this blog, and for some reason, I kept on putting it off. I am not a procrastinator, so I have no idea where aversion towards putting this behind me came from LOL! Better late than never, right? Since we said we are doing better in 2018, this biryani recipe is my gift to you. My love letter to you. My life promise to you. I’m sure you get the point now :DDD

This goat biryani recipe literally bubbles over with explosive flavor. This is the only biryani recipe you will need because not only is it easy, but hands down the best you will ever have. Cook this and show it off to your friends, because you are about to be the biryani pro in your crew.

Mango Plum Nicecream

February 6, 2018 / Kaluhi / 6 Comments

I live for mango season! I always make sure that as much as I can, I eat as many of them while they are at their sweetest! They are now super easy to find now (duh!!) but sometimes, you can buy some that are not as sweet since different vendors buy them from different sources. I finally fount a vendor close to home who sells the absolute sweetest mangoes in the entire world, and each time I leave home, I make sure I pass by his spot, and get me some. He is my new best friend!! Because of the large stock at home, I also try as much as possible to incorporate them into my recipes so that they do not go bad. From pancakes, to salads, to possets, it is a true mango extravaganza!!! Now that it is 3 billion degrees in Nairobi, the best way to cool off for me these days is by having nice cream! Super easy to make, dairy free and you will not need any special gadget to make it.

I hope you love this as much as I do <3

Poppy Seed and Orange Zest French Toast

February 2, 2018 / Kaluhi / 4 Comments

Breakfast is slowly but surely becoming one of my favorite meal times. I have no concrete reason why, but I just love the ease and beauty that morning hours bring with them. Now that it is January and it is nice and bright, I love having breakfast sitting by the window, the house in complete silence ( I love silence), and just watching how beautiful and tranquil everything looks when kissed by the morning rays. It is a sacred time for me, where I listen to myself, center myself, and nourish my body before setting out to perform the day’s tasks. As much as I can, I try make my breakfast delicious and exciting. After all, being the first meal, and I like for it to set the tone for the day.

I did an Instagram Story for this very recipe last November and you guys COMPLETELY fell in love with it. A few tweaks later, I decided to put it on the blog and on YouTube as well so that you can have it forever <3, and those who missed out on it can also enjoy it!

Cardamom Coconut Faluda

January 30, 2018 / Kaluhi / 4 Comments

I have reached that time of year where I am just itching for a trip. A cute stay-cation would do just about now. I am aching for the coast, especially after looking through my pictures from my Lamu trip. I want to wake up to the sound of waves beating the white sandy shores. I want to have a slooooooooow morning and have breakfast overlooking the ocean. I want to spend my afternoons walking through the narrow Lamu streets, having a taste of every single delicacy I come across. I want to have some faluda after enjoying some sea food pizza for lunch. I want to go have an afternoon nap, and there after go for a sunset dhow ride . I want to have prawns and fries for supper then have a little sippy sippy on the floating bar. I want to go back to Lamu so hard!

When I was eating this dish I had Lamu on my mind. I made this recipe in November of last year and the pictures got lost. But now that I have found them, I am excited to share the recipe with you inspired by one of my favorite places on earth! <3

Brunch at Mercado

January 26, 2018 / Kaluhi / 6 Comments

If you frequent Westlands, you have definitely seen a new restaurant at Kenrail towers right from the road. And that new spot is Mercado! I had been planning to visit Mercado with my younger sister last month for some sister time, however the day we chose, they had closed down. We postponed our date not too far off into the future. And when they reached out to me to sample their brunch menu, I was more than happy to go and try it out. My friends had amazing things to say about Mercado, and I was excited to try out the restaurant for myself. Because we missed our chance to dine at Mercado the last time we were there, I took my sister as my plus one, and it also happened to be her birthday, so that was my treat to her!

This review (and this amazing video) also includes some of my readers’ experiences at Mercado as per their Instagram DMs so that you get a balanced idea of the restaurant. These are our opinions, hence are subjective, so remember what one likes may be what you hate or vice versa since we are all different and that’s ok. I encourage you to check it out yourself nonetheless and see how you like Mercado.

Let’s get to it!

Plum Ukwaju Juice

January 23, 2018 / Kaluhi / 3 Comments

I love my morning jogs!!! I slacked a little bit towards the end of last year when I made the morning November rains an ~~very very valid~~ excuse for me not to go. However, once the rains stopped, I was back on it so hard!! Running in the flood of brilliant January morning sunshine is such a magical experience. Lemme just say this, I am not a fitness junkie, I know almost nothing about fitness, but all i know is, I feel super fantastic, light and good after a sweaty jogs and that is all that matters to me so I run with it, pun intended! *waves pompoms in the air*. I used to hate doing laps in highschool, and I find it funny that nowadays it is what I really love. That does not mean it is breezy! About 3/4 way of my 6 km jog I usually always regret. I get so tired and my lungs start burning because of breathing too hard. I ask myself why it is really worth it. I imagine how easy it would be if I could just teleport back home. I picture myself getting back home and replenishing my energy with fresh juice. I imagine myself finally freshening up, having my breakfast and getting work going. And when I do get home, the sweaty run is always worth it!

I have in particular loving my plum ukwaju juice, for all times of day, but specifically after my runs. And today, I will share my fave with you! <3

Coconut cream & Oregano Githeri

January 16, 2018 / Kaluhi / 12 Comments

My younger sister, Kadesa, finds it so weird whenever I say I am Kraving githeri. She finds it so so so weird that I actually enjoy githeri. She does not find githeri any way exciting because of how frequently we had it in boarding school, same way I deeply dislike cabbage because of high school. Different folks, different strokes, right? I love anything with beans, and githeri is right up there among the things I love! I could eat it everyday of the week! But you know what’s even more exciting? That it can be prepared in 6 million different ways with each recipe bringing out its beauty in a unique, exciting way!

For today, I hope you truly enjoy my coconut cream and oregano githeri as much as I did <3. I made a beautiful short video on the same, but first, lets get into detail!

The Marula Mercantile

January 12, 2018 / Kaluhi / 8 Comments

Being the last weekend of 2017, my sister and I wanted to have a beautiful lunch to wind down the year. After a horrific experience at a popular seafood franchise, we hoped our experience at Marula Mercanitle would make up for it. Saturday the 30th was stunningly sunny and relaxed and we decided to eat at a place that was open and vibe-y. After our meal and afternoon stay there, I decided to include this as a restaurant review as it was not a planned visit between myself and the staff and I felt I captured them in their true essence. It is something I planned on doing last year, but due ~~being broke af~~ to various factors, I put restaurant reviews on hold. My review of Marula Mercantile will be first of many. I will also be including some of your experiences to my reviews so that you can get the truest, most realistic picture of the restaurant.

Here we go!

Thyme Beef Burger with Passion Habanero BBQ Sauce

January 9, 2018 / Kaluhi / 6 Comments

“Na kunanukia!!!! Zimeiva?” (“They smell great! Are they done?”) My sister yelled form the stair case as she made her way to the kitchen where I was. I was not really in the mood for cooking because of cramps, but my sister pushed me and after some pain killers I decided to make something indulgent for both of us. Good food makes everything better right? And I had no regrets!!! Step after step after step and few moments later, there you are sinking your teeth into something juicy and delicious!!!The best burgers are those that we make at home. That is when you can customize flavors according to your preference. Aroma of herbs filled the air. Sound of a sharp sear made me salivate. And your next favorite burger is my thyme beef burger with my passion fruit bbq sauce <3 <3

This recipe, and all other recipes here on out, will be accompanied by short but sweet videos on my YouTube channel, so if you are yet to subscribe, do so HERE, right now, then come over and lets get into what this burger is all about <3