Category: Thoughts

Creative Blogger Award

~ Sophie ~ 9 Comments

CBAA few weeks ago, I was nominated for the Creative Blogger Award by sweet blogger pal Erin of Erin Eats Everything. I am so honored to be nominated especially since last Thursday, the second, marked three solid years of writing here, sharing my love for cooking, being in the kitchen and a part of my life experiences. This blog would not be what it is without my Heavenly Father and you loyal readers and for that I am grateful.So, to keep the chain going, I will be following the instructions and hope you do the same if nominated.
Rules/instructions:
1. Thank and link back to the person who nominated you (mention your nominator in your own award post with a link back to their original award post, which would be this one).
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Nominate other bloggers and comment on their blogs (usually on their about page or contact directly if necessary) to let them know.

Here are 7 things to know about me:
1. I prefer savory salty food over sweets and more than often, you will find me eating, and preparing the former more than the latter.
2. I am an introvert.
3. After high school, I was torn among taking music, literature and going to culinary school. Funny thing is I never took any of them.
4. I love reading books as equally as I love writing. These two keep me sane. Plus cooking.
5. Speaking of cooking, I love cooking and coming up with random combinations thus celebrating fusion cuisine here on the blog.
6. I love the energy and brightness that comes with sunrises
7. Now that I food blog, I love the fact that our food culture is so varied and rich with history, art and flavor.

Nominations!
I would like to nominate some other blogs that I enjoy reading in no particular order.
Onyait Odeke has a way with words that motivate and keep you reading till the end.
All Tim Ate is a wonderful visual of mouth-watering foods.
Its Maya Bee is so beautiful and has great fashion sense
Let It Come From Your Heart is an inspiration to all with dreamy images and quotes.
Chocolaty Prints is a delight to read and Karen always has something interesting to tell plus great images.

Sareta’s Kitchen that is full of wonderful recipes I would love to try.

🙂

Sophie

A Harvest Story + Fresh Bean Soup

~ Sophie ~ 3 Comments

I was somewhere around 9 years and we had a garden…gardens. If you are Ugandan, you know that almost all homes have two (…or more) gardens. The backyard garden which is mainly used to grow simple foods like vegetables, herbs, and some two or four maize plants thrown in. One or two overgrown pumpkin vines snaking their way around a handful of scattered bean plants. They are small but enough.

Then there is the large garden or farm or a shamba if you may. One that is used to grow plants at a larger scale where there is almost a half to an acre (or more) of beautiful maize plants basking in the sunshine and fully radiant. Under the shade of those maize plants will be different kinds of beans growing and thriving at that. A farm so large that either the whole family(from parents to toddlers) spends endless days weeding then harvesting when it is time or where extra hands in addition to the whole family are hired to help out.

It is times like these that are still vivid in my mind. The harvest. Where we woke early, took heavy breakfast and got down to harvesting beans among many other foods. It was (and still is) hard work, but what makes it all worth it is the final aroma of boiling fresh beans. After they have been uprooted, picked from their branches and shelled, we would put a large pot of these beans on fire. There is something magical about eating food straight from the garden and when my cousin shared her first harvest with us, we were so excited beyond words.

Although it is not officially harvest season, people have started harvesting and it is wonderful. One thing with fresh food is that it does not require a ton of condiments. By simply boiling fresh beans with onions, tomatoes and some salt, you will have the most fragrant, delicious and healthy soup in no time.

What you will need:

3 C. Fresh beans

1 Large tomato, chopped

3 Small red onions, chopped

½ Tbsp. Ginger grated

Salt and pepper to taste

½ Tbsp. Oil

Observations:

If you want your dish soupy, add more water. While the beans boil, the water may reduce. Keep replacing the water to retain the aromatic soup

Method

Wash fresh beans and place them in a saucepan. Add enough water to cover the beans by about 2-3 inches.  Place pan on high heat. Let the beans boil. When the beans start turning a grey color, add ginger, onions, tomatoes, salt, pepper, and oil. Cover the pan and let the beans continue cooking. Once the beans start releasing an aroma and have softened, reduce the fire and let the stew simmer on low heat for about 10 minutes. Remove from fire and serve hot.

🙂

Sophie

Humility + An Avocado Smoothie

~ Sophie ~ 3 Comments

What comes to your mind when you think of  humility. A wide array of scenarios come to my mind whenever I think of the word. Merriam Webster defines humility as the quality or state of not thinking you are better than other people: the quality or state of being humble.  So far this year has been a roller coaster ride and among those ups and downs, I have met truly amazing people. People I am not worth talking to let alone shake hands with. One thing I noticed with them all is the fact that they are down-to-earth people. As much as I could not fathom the fact that I met these incredible  people, they were just being normal regular people. They would not throw the fact that they are famous, well learned, seasoned travelers, successful and talented in your face. I was incredibly humbled by their humility.

What is your definition of humility and what one person, event or thing has taught you to be humble? Leave your response in the comments section below.

I am sharing a quick and easy smoothie that I am sure you will like.  Don’t you love the texture and versatility of avocados? There are so many things to do with avocados.

What you will need:

1 Avocado(fully ripe)

1/2 C. Milk

2 C. Cold water

5 Tbsp. Sugar

 

Method

Peel the avocado, remove the seed and thinly slice it . Put the sliced avocado in the blender. Add the milk water and sugar. Blend till pureed. Serve(especially with breakfast).

 

Have a great week.

🙂

Sophie

 

 

PS: To add flavor to the smoothie, you can add half a teaspoon of either cinnamon or ginger spice while blending.