Ethiopian dishes and drinks

Ethiopian Food Primer: 10 Essential Dishes And Drinks

For this weeks food experience, I am actually taking a break on the cooking.  However, I vow to find the best Ethiopian cuisine in our local area.  After reviewing the above article regarding their essential dishes, I would definitely like to find an establishment locally that serves injara and tibs.  As I was reading further into the article, I can't help to think of my culture being similar to Ethiopians in regard to hospitality and eating with your hands.  As I make my travels around the area, I will definitely post updates and reviews of the local Ethiopian eateries and include a review of each one.  My food travels will start this Friday and go for several days in hopes that I can hit each type of meal (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and also satisfy my sweet tooth in the process.  Will post reviews and updates within this blog through next week.

Jollof Rice with Chicken and Fried Plaintains

Had my first cooking mishap. I laughed so hard because how does one mess up on rice?!?  This is the recipe I had used.

Nigerian Jollof rice and chicken

Everything was going as planned until I overcooked the rice.

Therefore, I am up for the challenge and will be remaking this over the weekend for another photo opportunity.

However, the recipe called for frozen vegetables.  Totally big mistake listening to the recipe.  Even though the rice was overcooked and really mushy unlike rice consistency, it tasted really good but the taste of the frozen vegetables just did not fly with me in my opinion.

Note to self: Parboiling rice is difficult and takes practice to catch the correct time of pre-cooking the rice.

So take 2 will be once I can get to the market for more chicken drumsticks and spices. 

For the dessert week: Nigerian Chin Chin

Since I fell behind on the cooking of the main dish, I'm going to try and get the Chin Chin done simultaneously. 

At least the dessert doesn't seem too difficult.

Nigerian Jollof Rice with Fried Plaintains and Chicken

By popular request, I will be moving to the country of Nigeria in my food journey.  I found a very tasteful recipe for jollof rice and will be diving into a new technique of parboiling my rice prior to cooking.  Will be cooking this for dinner this coming Sunday or Monday..... Dessert week will be announced soon :)

Moroccan Meskouta Orange Cake

Hello classmates!  From experiences I've learned in the past, DO NOT COOK OR SERVE WHEN YOU'RE SICK AND HAVE PINK EYE! It's just common sense and unsanitary.  So sorry for the delay but the pink eye is keeping me confined at home in hopes that the redness goes away by tomorrow.  But I will hopefully bring this cake in for everyone next week.  This is the recipe that I am using and will be doing a homemade glaze on top of the bundt.

Moroccan Meskouta Orange Cake

When I read about this cake, they normally serve it with tea and breakfast and/or snack and is normal to see around their time of fasting (Ramadan).  Hope to see everyone Thursday.  I will make the cake when my vision clears later tonight just so that I can take some pictures.


UPDATE:

Like promised, it just came out of the oven and is in the process of cooling down.  Who's ready to snack tomorrow? See you then.

Please bring your own tea/coffee/milk...... simply put, bring your favorite drink :)