10 Minutes With Elsie…Oya Start Blogging!

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Once in a while, I like to interview foodies who inspire us; who inspire me. And today, I have Elsie Godwin on the beat 🙂

I met Elsie on Facebook. We had a lot of mutual friends so we decided to become social media friends. Elsie runs a Lifestyle and relationship blog with a show ‘Crux of the matter with Elsie’ to boot. As a young lady, she has achieved a lot for herself and has maintained a thriving career as a blogger, a writer and a radio and TV girl. Her blog is among the top ten blogs I follow. It’s not only because she does have great content, but the passion there in.

Let me talk about my friendship with Elsie. I am not sure how we became friends out side of social media, but our friendship is one with mutual respect and love for each other. We discuss our stand on social issues, we talk about boys, our career, goals and we fight like friends do. The good thing about our friendship is that mutual respect we have for each other. I started as a contributor on her blog until the “lazy” Chef gene possessed me. I remember when she reached out to me and wanted me to write for her blog. As usual, I asked what she was paying. She was honest with her stand and said “I just want to share your stories.” Nothing about her looked dishonest and I just fell in love with her personality and honesty.

Elsie remains very dear to me and I lack words to even describe the person that she is in so many words. We have the sort of friendship that just works and her love for food is undeniable. I remember when she told me she wanted a recipe for Okazi soup. Never in my wildest dreams did I think “this oyibo pepper” could cook. Forget all that fitfam serenren she is doing on Instagram; just put Okazi soup in front of her and she will shove that fitfam to the side in a heart beat.

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Whole Wheat Mini Meat Pies…

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Life in general is a huge learning curve. Have you ever suffered the loss of someone dear to you, a family member, someone you thought you could never give up or live without. A friend or family maybe? How did it feel? How did you move on from it? Even with death, I’m usually cold. Not that I’m a cold person, I just never really know how to deal with good byes; even when initiated by me. Generally, I may seem like I am emotional, but I’m not an overly emotional person. I show my emotion usually with people I’m close to. I wear my heart on my sleeve, I bear my soul. I speak my truth, I never hide anything, but the moment I perceive that I am being taken for granted, I gradually lock everything away. Because strength and vulnerability are friends. In leaving people be, I rather protect my innocence than have one who ought to nourish it rubbish it. It’s hard for me to accept being taken for a fool.

You may love someone deeply, someone who knows your Achilles heels and they may die a literal death or an imaginary one. Sometimes, you may have to make decisions that will help you deal as a person because sometimes, the people who mean the most to you could cost you the most; especially when you have expressed your concern and you’re not being listened to. I think I’m becoming a motivational speaker…I got jokes 🙂

I already have had a few of these moments of letting go and it’s only March. One with a family member…I tell people and I don’t know if this is a Taurus thing, but the same way I love, it’s the same way I dislike/hate…intensely. I don’t know, but it has to be that way. Once I shut out, I shut out…I give myself the closure I need and keep it moving.

I follow Jay Shetty on Instagram. Through my tough decisions, I found answers on his page. I had always thought myself a failure in relationships, work and some things in my life. But after listening to him and watching a video he posted of Will Smith talking about failure, I embraced my failures and all my pain. I looked at it as something positive. Sometimes, you have to fail or feel pain for good things to materialize in your life. You have to understand that sometimes, getting to a bigger goal requires leaving certain people behind( be it family or friends) and do the most unfathomable thing of walking away. Tenderness is not weakness…

I have bore my thoughts, now let’s talk about being unable to walk away from meat pies. Baked dough, filled with meat and vegetables.

 

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10 minutes With Eketi…The Last Afang Bender

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After a crazy, whacky, quiet week filled with different range of emotions, I got up to some writing. It’s the international day of women and it’s so refreshing to write about someone as lovely as Eketi. Eketi, with a full head of hair like a pin up doll has this timeless beauty that makes me want to be a man and tell her “babe I love you, talk your own.”

When it comes to the amazing world of Nigerian writers, you can’t tell me nothing. Eketi is like on the list of my top 10 writers. She has an interesting way of writing that keeps you going back for more. Not only is her style of writing simple, it’s humorous. I remember when she started writing her Cinderella series, who would have thought Cinderella was a Nigerian girl who probably speaks Ibibio. Eketi writes just like her infectious and beautiful smile.

When I think of Eketi, I remember Afang. Not in a bad way, but in such a way that it makes me smile from beneath my soul. She talks about making Afang so much that all I see is a bowl of Afang when I see her pictures. You think of Eketi, you think of Afang 🙂 In fact we know her as “the last afang bender.” There should be a show with her name on it with her as the main character.

I remember when I wanted to make some Edikang Ikong soup, she was the one I ran to for a recipe. Since I had one for Afang, I knew she was going to give me a heart warming recipe; which I cannot deny is one of my favorite Efik recipes.

One of the things that endears me to Eketi are her stories about her parents. The way she talks about their love makes you want to fall in love and stay in love forever. Her stories give you an insight on how it was to love decades ago. I don’t think we know how to love anymore. Love is very difficult, it isn’t all roses but when you truly love, you never stop loving; even when the person no longer is in your life…except you never meant it :)…When it comes to love, I give it my soul. I put in my all, I am never half way, I stay loyal and it’s never easy for me to let go. But when I do…there’s a strong reason.

“You don’t love someone because they’re perfect, you love them in spite of the fact that they are not.”  And that’s it about that old kind of love 🙂

With Eketi, she’s very much an old soul; every bit of her. She fights for abused girls and women. She campaigns for women to stay chaste and her love for children is in everyway beautiful.

Her impeccable flare for writing speaks for itself through her writing classes. Yes she offers writing classes for people who want to learn how to write or fine tune their skills. What better teacher can one have?

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Top Walmart Cakes to Order for Your Birthday

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Walmart cakes are an easy way to make a birthday special. Different flavors and designs are available to make it so easy to throw a surprise birthday party or to plan your own celebration. Flavors like chocolate, white, rainbow blast and tres leche will tempt any taste. Choose sheet cakes or round cakes with whipped or buttercream icing options. Hershey’s chocolate or strawberry whipped filling is light, fluffy and delicious. If something more decadent is in order, then premium fillings like lemon, Bavarian cream, caramel or raspberry will delight the birthday girl or boy. Icing colors in 15 vivid shades can match up with any decor or party theme.

1. Personalized Photo Cake
A personalized photo cake makes a great birthday cake. Take with you a favorite photo to the Walmart Bakery when you go to place your order. The photo can be transferred onto most Walmart cakes for an additional fee. The photo cake is a wonderful way to celebrate the big event. The picture can be transferred onto the cake alone, or it can be part of a decoration like a race car (with the birthday boy as the driver). This option is great for 16-year-olds who just took their driver’s license. Walmart cakes prices vary by the designs and options you choose.

2. Two-tiered Princess Cake
Is this the big birthday for the birthday girl? A two-tiered princess cake is perfect for a princess. The bottom tier is quilted pink with tiny pearl accents. The top layer is a lighter pink with a sparkling crown on top. Ruffled layers surround the bottom and second layer in two-tone pink. There is also a ‘diamond’ wand for the belle of the ball. This cake serves 64 people, enough for a birthday celebration with friends and family. If that will not be enough, the 3-tiered cake serves 134 people – great for events where extended celebrations.

3. Tiered Chocolate Cake or Whipped Chocolate Cake
People who would rather see their favorite animals or candy sprinkles on the cake can have their cake and eat it too. Kitty cats, candy sprinkles or even sayings can be made onto sheet cakes or tiered cakes. Choose a tiered cake with no sayings or pictures – just chocolate sprinkles and plenty of whipped chocolate icing, all wrapped up with a bow (your choice of colors). Select an edible name tag and place it in the name area. For an extra fee, choose fondant stripes, dots, or photo image strips in leopard prints, bicycles or chevron patterns. Edible image designer prints in gold or silver are a wonderful option for a 50th birthday cake.

4. “Happy Birthday” Cake
A simple ‘Happy Birthday’ cake with yellow frosting, red piping and plastic picks that say ‘Celebrate’ is enough to make an ordinary day into a special birthday. Add party pick balloons, cupcakes, and party hats to further dress up your sheet cake for the birthday girl or boy. The 1/4 sheet cake will serve 24 people. Or choose a party combo that includes a cake and cupcakes for those who love both. The combo comes with a small center cake and 12 cupcakes. It serves 16 people – great for a small family celebration.

Probably the most popular of the Walmart cakes is the 1/4 sheet cake that serves 24. This versatile cake can be marbled to suit two different flavors in one cake. It can be decorated with photos, words, plastic ‘Happy Birthday’ picks, flowers or fondant decorations. Names and messages can be spelled out on the wide surface. Add in some whipped topping and the cake is delicious birthday perfection. Celebrate your big day with a custom cake made your way by the Walmart bakery.

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WaterMelon Martini…

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Last year, I did a poll about aphrodisiacs on my Facebook page and someone mentioned water melons. The way he described water melons and how they set your body on fire did my brain in until I gave it a try. One thing about water melons is that it makes you happy. The description of how the blended seeds of a water melon works is something I cannot even comprehend. It’s the holy grail of sexual fulfilment. It’s like drinking coffee or a shot of espresso. It leaves a  wonderful tingle deep within you. In fact as I write this, I have had a martini glass full and I’m sitting here feeling like I’m flying without wings.

How does water melon work as an aphrodisiac? It’s a fruit high in citruline which is a phytonutrient; which increases the amount of nitric acid in the body; there by increasing blood flow, relaxing the blood vessels and encouraging sexual arousal. A glass of water melon juice will help you fulfil your aphrodisiac fantasies. Keeping it PG 🙂

It’s Valentine and a lot of people say “I love everyday, I don’t do valentine.” Like I told a friend “if your boo gives you chocolate or flowers, I’ll hunt you in your dreams and take it from you.” When it comes to Valentine, I like simplicity. I know we all celebrate love everyday, but ladies and gentle men, try to relish on this day…Even with your kids…

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Red Curry Stew…My Funny Valentine…

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Every year, I write and take photos of food or drinks to celebrate each season or holiday and Valentine always makes the cut. Not only must I have a post honoring the not so holiday, but I must celebrate it because yes Nigerianlazychef was birthed on Valentine’s day…Hmm, may be I should declare it a holiday then.

The last few years have been tough but worth it. I am focused on what I want this blog to be. There were days I just wanted to give up, but like my mother says “Nothing good comes easy.”

I am happy for those who know me and have stood by me. I am happy for the opening of my catering services and my online school. It has been a slow start but I know it will get better and better.

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10 minutes With Lotachukwu

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When you hear the name Kiki who do you think of? I remember Jenifa’s diary. The hilarious show produced by Funke Akindele. After watching the movies, I had to get in on the series and my favorite character apart from Jenifa of course is Kiki.

Kiki reminds me of my friend Damilola who happens to be the voice of reason. Her character on the show was very refreshing until she got upset at Jenifa for preventing her from having an abortion. Funny enough, she’s the one who always tries to keep Jenifa out of trouble.

Lota is a refreshing face in the Nollywood movie industry. She makes watching Nollywood movies easy. The way she plays her role in the movies she stars in is exhilarating!

Another movie Kiki(Lota) played in that was so enlivening to watch is “Displaced.” The romance scenes were very steamy, I had to send her a message to “stop kissing that boy.”

I love Lota for a lot of reasons, but my favorite reason is for her cooking.

When Lota first started posting food pictures on her Instagram’s page, I said to myself “Another celebrity wanting to be a Chef sha.” But I was proved wrong. Lota stays close to her Nigerian roots when it comes to cooking, she takes her craft quite seriously, she is dedicated and just pushes herself to cook right. And I really love the simplicity of her pictures. All these qualities endeared me to Lota.

Abacha….

grilled fish, plantain, chicken wings, tiger prawns and corn….

Another thing I love about Lota is her show “Lota Takes.” She does this thing where she visits the houses of celebrities and cooks whatever they have in their pantry. How creative is that?

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The Merging Of Cultures…Eating Well To Win

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Last year, I had a correspondence with a lady who happened to be the Publicist of Chef Richard; Dwayne Wade’s private Chef. She wanted me to try a few recipes from his book and I just had to. Come on, this guy cooks for the beautiful Gabrielle Union and her basket baller hubby. Have you seen them? Fresh as can be. He has to be doing something right with their diets.

I went through the book and all the recipes looked amazing but something kind of stood out to me. Some of the recipes reminded me of Nigerian recipes. I think it was the Creole part that kind of reminded of home. The precision and spices did it for me.

I tried two recipes, but my favorite was the stewed okra with shrimp. when I first saw the photo and the recipe, it was immediately love at first sight.

I did not just love this book and the recipe because it reminded me of my mom’s pot of okra, but because it tasted and smelled so fresh. And I said to myself, D Wade and his wife have a gold mine on their hands. No wonder he plays the ball amazingly. After a bowl of okra, even an armature will play basket ball with ease.

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Betting On Food…

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Someone asked me recently what I would do if I won a million dollars and my reply was “I’ll eat first.” Knowing me and my love for food, this shouldn’t come as a surprise. And for someone who loves sports, I would play my best and easily bet on sports for my easy win. At least we all know that sports and food quite go together. Let me eat first and all others fall into place.

Food and sports is like having the ultimate power. Imagine being able to run your bets with Bet9ja Promotion Code. You even have a discount to play.

If I played a bet and won, I would open a grocery store, stocked with foods never heard of. I would stock the store with peaches, basil, cilantro and my favorite fruit in the world; mango. I would employ butchers to carve my favorite meats: beef sirloin and goat meat. I would have a section filled with African foods and spices stocked by me.

If I won the lottery, I would build a farm with both fish and crops. I would have all the up to date equipment. And this would create jobs in my farm for people who need jobs. Wining a bet is not just for flexing and eating roasted turkey pepper soup at a pepper soup joint. I would invest into the food and agricultural sector. I would build a whole farm for goats…lean meat and Asun! Turn down for what? 😛

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Imoyo…(There can be only one type of fish stew)

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When I first heard of Imoyo, the first thing that crossed my mind was “these Yoruba people dun start their stew wahala.” Until I made a pot and lost all my senses to a pot of stew. I had Imoyo and I never went back to fried fish stew. Now I know why a lot of us fall under the Yoruba stew spell.

Imoyo is a very smooth fish stew cooked with a blend of tomatoes, peppers and onions in African palm oil. The taste of Imoyo is like a the comfort of a lover’s touch on a Wintery day.

Imoyo, may have a mix of palm oil in it, but it is not a fried stew.

My favorite part about making this stew is the sound of the bubbles while it cooks.

Imoyo is one of those foods that you can never forget in a hurry. Especially when it is made right.

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