Tag: Kaluhi (Page 3 of 4)

Karafuu & Ginger Drop Scones

May 29, 2019 / Kaluhi / 19 Comments

One of the things I love waking up to is the aroma of drop scones on a Saturday. My mom makes them once in a while, and when she does, you bet I am always the first to go eat lest my siblings finish everything as i dilly-dully in bed. She makes them so well, and I honestly not only love these, but everything mom makes. Mom’s food always rocks, right? I took her recipe and added a twist on my own. I was kinda nervous when I made these, and wanted her honest opinion on the same. She loved them and asked me for specifics of what I added and decided to make them as I did going forward! My heart melted!

If mom said this recipe is bomb, trust me, it is 100% worth a try!

Iliki Pancakes with Pear Caramel Sauce

April 10, 2019 / Kaluhi / 7 Comments

Change. There is so much beauty in change. We bid goodbye to one amazing thing and welcome another different, but equally beautiful one too. We are {verrrry} slowly moving away from gloriously sunny weather that I love, and awaiting the cosy rainy season that I love too :D. I am without doubt thoroughly sad that mango season is now over, but pear season is right here with us! Besides enjoying this amazing fruit as it is, this gives us a chance to enjoy it in our cooking in all innovative ways we can! As the second pear recipe for this year’s pear season, we are getting into my iliki pancakes with a super easy to make pear caramel sauce.

Pear Tree Tomato Salad with Pear Ginger Vinaigrette

April 3, 2019 / Kaluhi / 13 Comments

Happy new month my loves!!

I hope April has started off nice and happy and you are looking forward to a deliciously fun and abundant next 30 days!! I find it pretty weird that April is still pretty hot. I do love me some sunshine, but in all honesty, I also love the cosiness of rain. But as we wait for the weather to change, let us enjoy the sunshine and the dawn of the new fruit season-pear season. Pear season is usually very brief, and I am making sure I make the most of it this time round. Seeing that you guys enjoyed my salad week series on my channel, I decided to throw in another one you will definitely enjoy! For today, my pear tree tomato salad with a pear ginger vinaigrette.

Pilipili and Rosemary Marinated Mbuzi Choma Na Kachumbari

January 30, 2019 / Kaluhi / 15 Comments

There are a couple of things that are distinctly Kenyan. “Me I” is distinctly Kenyan. Our loud, artsy Matatus are distinctly Kenyan. Phrases such as ‘wah’ ‘si’ ‘hebu’ can only be understood by someone who has grown up Kenyan; and even when explained, the meaning will not be understood as it should. Choma over every holiday, and if we are being honest- during any time we get together- is one of those distinct Kenyan habits. We love our choma!! Choma is a roast- equivalent to the South African braai. We do love our meat, and roasting it makes it even better.

Mbuzi (goat) choma is very very popular too. It is among my top three favorite chomas and today’s recipe and video takes you through how I make mine explosively good!!! I hope you love it as much as I love it!

Garam Masala Coconut Milk Carrot Soup

November 7, 2018 / Kaluhi / 5 Comments

I love tall, hairy men. We all have a type, and that is my type! There is something about that form of raw, uninhibited embodiment of masculinity that just gets to me. I think that’s why I really loved how Captain America in Infinity war – the beard!! He is really good looking either way, but I feel facial hair adds a bit of spice, ya feel me? I have made it my weekend habit to re-watch all marvel movies. I enjoyed them when they premiered in the past and still love them today! From all Iron Man & Captain America series, to both Guardians of the Galaxy volumes, Avengers , X-men…Everything! I am waiting with baited breath for Captain Marvel next year! I haven’t quite enjoyed Ant Man, and Ant Man and The Wasp, but all the rest are worth re-watching ! And of course, watching along with something delicious makes it all worth while!

My garam masala coconut milk soup is among my favorite soup recipes! Such amazing full flavors that I know without doubt that you too will deeply enjoy as well!

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!

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.

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!

As I turn 26….

August 28, 2017 / Kaluhi / 34 Comments

OH MY GOD!!!!!!

I AM 26!

I won’t lie, I had a mini panic attack a few weeks back following my birthday. But as days got closer, I felt like I was actually blossoming and not wilting. And today as my mom sang me happy birthday, everything felt ok and I knew the year ahead would be fantastic since it started with the person who first held me and laid eyes on me when I came to this earth wishing me well and declaring blessings upon it. God bless mothers! <3 There is this beauty about coming into your own as you grow older and living life according to your terms and that is freeing to me. I am entering a phase in my life that where my wings shall be spread with even more splendor and I will even surprise myself by what I can achieve. I am entering a phase where I am increasingly unafraid of my power and excited about challenges thrown my way. I am excited about the glow-up in all areas of my life. I am excited about everything! And as I turn 26, here is what I pray and hope for :

Rosemary Mint Marinated Lamb Stew

April 25, 2017 / Kaluhi / 16 Comments

One of my highlights of 2016 that I told you of in this post was my visit to Johannesburg with Google Africa. I had always wanted to visit South Africa, and having this chance to experience Johannesburg was one week I will live to remember. Besides their absolutely rich culture, vibrant people and amazing weather (just like Nairobi’s <3), I totally loved their food! From the familiar like moqhoudu, which is known as matumbo to Kenyans, I absolutely loved bobotie, sosaties, milk tarts and everything else. I loved eating salmon and litchi every morning. We also had lots of lamb and oxtail while down south. My favorite dish was a lamb stew we had at Vuyo’s; it was stewed with rosemary and I loved it!!! I ate the most that day (as usual LOL!) but I couldn’t help myself. With inspiration from that unforgettable week in the Rainbow Nation,I decided to recreate this dish based on the flavor notes my palate could remember, the ingredients I had and of course with a twist of my own. I was more than satisfied by the outcome and I hope you enjoy my rosemary mint marinated lamb stew as well :))

My Sweet Stay At Lazizi Premier Hotel

March 29, 2017 / Kaluhi / 4 Comments

I have said this before, and I will say it again: Nairobi traffic can send you to the brink of insanity. Lord forbid it rains or a trailer overturns on Mombasa road. Everything comes to a stand still. Meetings get canceled, dates get postpone and flights get missed. All this can simply be fixed and avoided by being at the right place at the right time. I remember the time my cousin Khetiwe came home for her holiday visit, she nearly missed her flight because of on going construction of the Southern bypass at that time. We all wished we would have left earlier and had lunch at a nearby hotel then see her off at the airport without stress, ~~running people over like mad race horses~~ rushing and anxiety. Next time she is in the country, I will for sure recommend Lazizi Premier Hotel for lunch, which is right inside our airport, and will save us the hustle of crossing the through monstrous Nairobi traffic. Here is a full review of my stay there:

Chop House- Menu Tasting Review

March 25, 2017 / Kaluhi / 2 Comments

Nothing excites me more than having fantastic food with great company. My last week Thursday at Radisson Blu, Upper Hill Nairobi, was just that! Several food bloggers including myself and other media journalists had been invited for a media tasting and all I can say is that I was blown away by everything. We were asked to give our opinion about everything and this is what the review is all about. I would like to take you through what we had and I hope you make a visit there and experience everything for yourself. The rating of each dish is out of 5 stars, which i’d like to call K-stars, because this is a rating by me :DD. From all the questions and comments I received from my Instagram story on the afternoon I walked you through the tasting, I am sure this is something you will love <3.

Mbaazi wa Nazi

March 7, 2017 / Kaluhi / 5 Comments

If I can close my eyes and really focus, I can clearly hear it. I can here the sound of the soft ocean waves breaking on the white sandy beach. I can almost smell the aroma of white jasmine flowers that have littered the lawn after a night of drizzle. I can almost feel the warmth and here the chatter of the townspeople as I scavenge the Lamu streets for my spices. If I close my eyes and really focus, I can feel the slow drift of the dhow at sunset. Nothing beats that experience!! I can taste the salt of the sea on my lips. I can taste all the delicious food they used to make for us. I can feel the sand on my toes; whose toe nails by now have the most hideous chipped nail polish as a result of spending too much time in the water. But who cares? Life in Lamu is about savoring moments that matter, not about seeking fleeting perfection. I often miss Lamu, more so when the pace of Nairobi threatens to bury me. But now that I cannot go to my special place at the moment, I will bring it to me through one of the dishes we had there alot: mbaazi wa nazi (pigeon peas in coconut milk). I hope when you take a bite of this dish, close your eyes and reeeeeaally focus, you will be on the beaches of Lamu with me eating good food all day long. Coz that’s what life should be about :DD

Garlic Turmeric Fried Gizzard

February 17, 2017 / Kaluhi / 21 Comments

I love talking to you guys! From the absolutely random questions, to the slightly inappropriate hilarious ones, to those from readers who genuinely want to grow their cooking skills. I appreciate your feedback in all forms it comes and appreciate the connection we have {insert cheesy romantic song in background}. One of my readers once asked me why I do not have a gizzard recipe. I wondered the same, and asked my self why I kept on postponing the recipe. I decided to do one, the first of many I will do, after being inspired by this gizzard recipe from Jay Take a Pic. Our flavors are different, but both are delicious. So to usher in the weekend, here is my garlic turmeric fried gizzard.

Mango Ginger Pancakes

February 15, 2017 / Kaluhi / 12 Comments

I love making pancakes, not because they are easy to make (but that’s def part of the reason ;)), but because they take up flavors so well and leave plenty of room for experimentation. For these pancakes, I made them with the flavors I enjoy most in my cocktails: mango, cardamom and a hint of ginger. I did not foresee the warmth and explosiveness that I experienced, and for sure I must try this out soon once again. Nothing makes my breakfast more thrilling than knowing what I am going to eat has a combination of my three favorite flavors: sweetness of mango, very subtle warmth of ginger and spiciness of freshly crushed cardamom. Bite after warm flavorful bite and an empty plate later, my pancakes fit tightly but happily in my tummy. I gave one more thanks to the Lord above for a beautiful breakfast and gratefulness for a high metabolism. The best way to start your day is with some good food right? Make sure it my mango ginger pancakes!

Honey Whiskey Masala Fries

January 27, 2017 / Kaluhi / 29 Comments

If you love potatoes, you know very well when that craving (or should I say Kraving;))) kicks in, you just cannot shut it down! It is like that itch that you just cannot ignore, or satisfy by scratching indirectly. You have to go all in and satisfy it. When I had one of such kravings a few weeks ago, I decided to make fries. I rarely eat fries, but when I do, especially at home, I like to make it worth while and usually, that involves making masala fries. Including this one, so far as at 2017 we ahve three masala fries recipes on this blog. I made this first masala fries recipe in 2015 (check it out if you have not and please forgive my photography skills back then I was struggling :DD), this other one that everyone loves that has garlic and rosemary as the main flavor notes and today’s recipe takes it all to a stratospheric level!! No mediocre! Because as you know you know, with K, things are always FIRE!!

Today we have the most perfect Friday/ weekend recipe: Honey Whiskey Masala Fries