My Vegetarian Kitchen Cookbook is Finally Here!

Hello Friends! It’s been a minute. I have been up to so much lately and as you can tell form the blog title I have a surprise for you! Been working on compiling the  blog’s best vegetarian offerings which you can now get as an e-book. I have always wanted to write a cookbook and I have said it multiple times. Putting together this e-book helped alight my goals and gave me a taste of  what it feels to put a valuable product out there in world. I am now so excited to be sharing this token of love with you!

GetMy Vegetarian Kitchen: 34 Delicious and Wholesome Dishes from A Kitchen in Uganda’.

With most of A Kitchen in Uganda’s food stories vegetarian celebrations, there are so many exciting, memorable and valuable dishes that have been created on the blog for the past 5+ years. This book is a compilation of some of the best of those dishes. The purpose for this book is that you can always have these creations whether you have access to the blog or not.

Who is this book for?

Whether it is planning a big gathering, needing an instant dish to satiate your cravings or looking for an idea for your next potluck or food business idea, this book is for you.

This book is for the vegetarian and/or foodie who would love to explore the endless possibilities that come with using less mainstream local produce and ingredients.

This book is for the creative ‘thinking-out-of-the-box’ individual who wants to make their food journey a little more exciting and fulfilling at the same time with ingredients that are easily accessible.

This book for the Ugandan and anyone on the continent of Africa that has to battle with the government imposed social media taxes. My blog has thrived because of the unlimited access to the internet that I have enjoyed and I realize this is not the same story for everyone which is why I took the time to compile these recipes so that you can have them at the tip of your fingertips with or without  the internet!

What is inside this 77 page book:

  1. 34 Delicious and Wholesome Dishes and Recipes from A Kitchen in Uganda
  2. 2 Menus
  3. Tips on How to Have a Successful Meal Gathering
  4. A Weekly Meal Plan Template

Go grab yourself a copy and start cooking!

 

5 Star Dining at Chapter Two – Skyz Hotel 

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When you think of 5 Star Dining, it is very rare that Uganda will come to your mind. But with economic growth and technological advancements, Kampala is gradually changing the definition of luxury dining and accommodation. One of the major key players is Skyz Hotel. A hotel that’s relatively new on the scene but one  that has amassed great reviews already. Last week I was keen on finding out what was so amazing about this new place and honestly I was blown away.

Follow this link to read more in depth about the hotel and it’s offerings.

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Skyz Hotel lives up to its name by situating itself on the highest hill in Kampala. It also boasts of having one of the few 5 Star Restaurants in Kampala called Chapter Two, which provides quite the dining experience. Chapter Two has a bright airy and luxurious feel to it.  Because pictures do not do it any justice, you should go see the exquisite restaurant yourself.

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At Chapter Two,  they have a vibrant and colorful menu that made it hard for me to select what I wanted to eat (I wanted to sample everything!). You can order from a range of their perfectly crafted salads for a light but fulfilling meal or you can go all in for a full three course meal.

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For starters, I ordered Thai sweet chilli soy chicken. It came with a very colorful mango salad. The chicken was tender and juicy and was perfectly seasoned. The sweet chili sauce helped bring all the flavors together really well. The salad was the perfect  cool and sweetness with a hint of tang which complimented the chicken well.  For the main meal,  I ordered goat stew. It came with chapati and steaming hot rice.  The goat meat was tender and flavorful. All this was washed down with a refreshing fruit juice cocktail.

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I had the chance to sit down with the restaurant’s  Sous Chef, Patrick. He explained that the menu is specifically crafted to cater to the hotel’s international client base. Most of the dishes on the menu are fusion which makes it interesting and definitely worth a try. Patrick, who was really fun to talk to, was generous enough to give us an exclusive kitchen tour.

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Skyz Hotel has a fully functional kitchen with industrial grade equipment. The kitchen is divided into a hot kitchen; where all the hot food is prepared, a cold kitchen; where all cold food like salads are prepared and a pastry kitchen; where all the divine cakes and heavenly pastries are made. The kitchen has multiple cold rooms which are neatly sectioned to store meat, dairy, vegetables, fruits, and cooked food separately. All these the Sous Chef walked us through while explaining every big and small detail. The kitchen layout is functional enough to allow easy movement in and out. In addition to Patrick, all the  kitchen staff were really nice and warm which was a fantastic way to end the tour.

I had never stepped in a restaurant kitchen before so this was a pleasant dream come true.

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Visit Chapter Two to experience 5 Star dining at its finest.

They have Asian fusion night on Fridays  at 100,000 per person.

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They have brunch on Sundays at 70,000 per person.

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And since today is Valentine’s Day, there is a special offer. It will involve couple’s dinner and music from prominent Ugandan Musicians. It is at 300,000. This would be a great way to pamper your loved ones.

You can also choose to have dinner, music, bedroom and breakfast for $200USD.

Skyzhotel.com

Follow them on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @SkyzHotel  to book yours.

Banana Avocado Beet Smoothie

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Do you ever get stuck with a certain ingredient and always wonder what to do with it?  So here is how this smoothie came to be. I have, for the longest time, eyed beet recipes online  and have always wondered how they taste. I was at Nakasero Market a few weeks ago and saw a lot of beets so out of curiosity I decide to buy  4 for 3000 shillings. I was excited to come home and taste this magical fruit (is it a fruit?). Once I sliced it, and had the first taste. I had mixed feelings. The bright color was just so beautiful but the earthy taste needed a little getting used to. I blended the first one and made a vegetable juice.  Lets just say that it took a lot of will power to get that juice down. About a week later I realised the beets are still in the fridge. I was trying to think of a way to make them more- you know- palatable.  So while making a blended juice of bananas, pawpaw, avocado and watermelon(??) I decided on impulse to throw in some thinly sliced beets.  It was the best decision ever. And until I discover another great way to prepare beets, this beet smoothie will be my best friend. The next time you find yourself with beets, try this smoothie. It is refreshing and what not a better way than to drink your fruits and vegetables!

 

What you will need:

1 Large ripe banana

½ Avocado

1-2 C. Pawpaw (papaya)

1 C. Watermelon

½ Beetroot

Sugar

Cold water

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Method.

  1. Wash and peel all fruits.
  2. Dice the fruits and place in  freezer overnight.
  3. In a blender, combine all fruits sugar and some water and blend till smooth and soft peaks have formed.
  4. Serve for breakfast or as cold beverage on a hot day.

 

Do you like beets? How do you eat them? Leave a comment below.

🙂

Sophie