Christmas is in 5 days! For me, this season always meant new clothes—what we call “krismos close”—and, if I was lucky, a new pair of shoes. It’s also a time to cook and eat a lot. I love Christmas menus: the aroma of well-spiced chicken simmering on the stove, the rich, satisfying jollof rice, cakes, … Read more

The beloved Nigerian Jollof Rice—spicy, smoky, and irresistibly flavorful. Serve it with crispy fried chicken for a classic West African meal perfect for weeknight dinners or party spreads. Happy World Jollof Rice Day! Jollof rice is celebrated globally for good reason: it’s a crowd-pleasing, tomato-based rice dish enjoyed across West Africa. This version is based … Read more

A few months ago I visited my pregnant Ugandan neighbour and was reminded of the familiar experiences of pregnancy. She often had excess saliva and would chew on things to stop herself from spitting. Throughout her pregnancy she kept asking about Jollof rice, and she has always said how much she enjoys my cooking. When … Read more

Thank you for stopping by to read. Your clicks and support mean a lot and encourage me to share snippets of life. This week passed quickly, and I’m grateful for the progress I made navigating ordinary challenges and blessings. I started a Bible study with a group at my friend’s church and I’m glad to … Read more

This Coconut Fried Rice became an instant favorite when I brought it to a potluck. Women from different backgrounds—Caucasian, African American, and African—all loved it and asked for the recipe. It’s a crowd-pleaser and perfect for parties, potlucks, entertaining at home, or a quick weeknight dinner. This recipe is vegan (no meat or animal protein), … Read more

I used to make homemade yogurt all the time. There was always a special pleasure in stirring a bowl of freshly set yogurt and putting it in the fridge to chill while I waited impatiently. The smiles on the faces of family and children as they tasted it made the effort worthwhile. I thought making … Read more

Summer has arrived — happy new month! I’m more excited about this season than ever. During my first summer here I struggled with morning sickness while expecting baby number three; the heat made everything worse and I avoided going out. Back then I was still settling into my surroundings. Now I feel more at home … Read more

Here is an updated, clear guide on how to make water fufu (cassava fufu) from scratch. This simple, one-ingredient method explains how to ferment cassava (yuca) and turn it into the soft, slightly tangy fufu popular across West and Central Africa. Fufu goes by many names—fufu, foo foo, fou fou—and is a beloved starchy side … Read more

For days the image of a Black man face down on concrete, lying flat with a white police officer’s knee pressed against his neck, has not left my mind. The man — a father, a brother, a son — died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for approximately eight minutes. This was … Read more

Hi friends! It’s been a long time since I last connected here, and I’m so happy to be back. Thank you for your patience and for the kind messages checking in on me. In short, I’m now the mother of five beautiful daughters. Our newest little one arrived two months ago, and we are so … Read more