Kenyan "Sukuma Wiki" With Collard Greens

Isn't the name catchy? The Swahili phrase "Sukuma Wiki" translates to "push the week" -- what's really being pushed is the family food budget. What a cool name for a terrific dish!

After getting bored of eating Collards in the same way, which is the "sauteed way", I decided it was time for me to try something new. Upon googling I came across this dish here, a couple of years ago...According to the Congo Cookbook, any leftover meat/ground meat/fish/finely cut veggies can be introduced to add body. I like it best with ground meat in it and usually have it with Paratha or any flatbread. Ahh, what a tasty,filling and a versatile side-dish, not to mention healthy!!

Ingredients:

• 7 Cups Finely-cut  and firmly-packed Collard Greens
• 1-1/2 Cups Ground Meat of Choice (Chicken/Turkey/Pork/Beef, I used "Lean Ground Turkey")
• 3 Roma Tomatoes, finely chopped
• 1 Large Yellow Onion, finely chopped
• 3-4 Cloves Garlic, finely chopped
• 2-3 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 1-1/2 Tbsp Coriander Powder
• 1 Tsp Cracked Black Pepper or more
• 1/2 Tsp Turmeric Powder
• Salt for Taste
  

Procedure:

• Clean the Collards in several changes of water. Drain on paper towels and cut it into thin strips. Set aside 7 firmly packed cups of cut collards and save the rest.

• In a pan, heat 3 Tbsp Olive oil and add the chopped onions plus the garlic.Fry till the onions are browned.

• Add the ground meat to the pan. Mash, stir and turn until the meat gets broken-up. Keep going until the pink meat turns to brown. (Takes about 4-5 minutes for the meat to brown).

• Add the chopped tomatoes, coriander powder, turmeric powder and cracked black pepper.

• Sprinkle salt along with 2-3 tbsp of water, stir to incorporate and lid the pan.Cook for 7-8 minutes on medium flame.

• Add the Collards and cook for 5 more minutes. Add more salt and pepper if needed and switch off the stove.

• Serve warm with any flat-bread of choice or white/brown rice.

Makes 4-5 medium servings.

Enjoy!

Read More...

Eggless "Flaxseed Meal French Crepes" With Nutella-Banana Filling

What are the many ways to incorporate ground Flax-seed Meal into a diet? That was the question on my mind last week. I have been regularly adding it to my hot cereal,milkshakes and a few bakes but those were the only way(s) I knew. Until yesterday, that is! Now I have found yet another way to use it up -- in the form of utterly delicious french crepes. The first time I made the batter, it was too runny and the crepes were breaking apart while I was trying to flip them in the pan.I was disappointed but wasn't discouraged from giving it another go. Yesterday I adjusted the ingredients and ended up with delectable, whole, eggs-weren't-missed crepes. Which I filled with Nutella and Banana. Oh, Yum! Try this and you won't be disappointed. FYI, Flaxseed is a good source of dietary protein, fiber and high omega-3 fatty acid content that helps one overcome fatigue, poor memory, dry skin, heart problems, mood swings or depression, and poor circulation..
But please we aware that Flaxseed/ Flaxseed Meal is believed to interact with prescribed medications.So don't combine this breakfast with your medication. 
Other Posts on crepes from my kitchen - Traditional Crepes With Yogurt-Strawberry Filling and Malaysian Lacey Crepe "Roti Jala"

Ingredients(For 7-8 "7-inch" Crepes):

• 1/2 Cup All-Purpose Flour
• 3/4 Cup + 2 Tbsp Milk
• 1-1/2 Tbsp Flaxseed Meal (Bob's Red Mill Brand)
• 1-1/2 Tbsp Granulated Sugar
• 1 Tbsp Melted Butter
• 4-1/2 Tbsp Warm Water
• 1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
• 1/4 Tsp Baking Soda
• 1/8 Tsp Salt
• Olive Oil for cooking the crepes

Filling:

• 6-8 Tsp Nutella(Chocolate and Hazelnut) Spread
• 2-3 Bananas, thinly sliced

Procedure:

• Mix the Flax seed Meal with warm water in a small pinch bowl and let it sit for 5 minutes.

• Mix all the other ingredients - Flour, Milk, Melted Butter, Sugar, Salt, Vanilla Extract -  either using a whisk or using a blender to form a smooth lump-free batter.
• Add the flaxseed meal mixture and incorporate.

• Pour it into a measuring cup, seal with cling wrap and refrigerate for about an hour or two.

• In a small skillet, warm a little oil. When the pan gets hot, add a ladleful of batter and swirl the pan to spread the batter thinly. Cook for about 45 seconds on one side.

• Flip the crepe using a rubber spatula and cook for another 45 seconds - 1 minute at a medium flame.

• Repeat the above 2 steps for the remaining batter.

• Smear a tsp of Nutella right on the middle and line with sliced bananas.

• Fold the crepes and serve warm with a bit of chocolate syrup drizzled on top.

Note:

• Be gentle while flipping the crepes.I used a silicone spatula and an angled fish spatula to flip the crepes.
• First couple of crepes don't look perfect.

Enjoy!

Sending this and Potato Croquettes as an entry to Smitha's "Bye Bye 2010, Welcome 2011" - Best food posts in 2011 and 2010
Also sending this to Priya's "Cooking with Seeds - Flax seeds" event guest hosted at Mharo Rajasthan's Recipes

Potato Croquettes:

Read More...

Modern Bar Stools - A CSN Review

Modern Bar Stools, from Allmodern, part of CSN stores, has me wishing and hoping for a big kitchen with Island cum Bar stools where my family and friends get together for an impromptu lunch/cocktail hours etc etc..

All Bar Stools has the best quality Bar Stools with plenty of choices to choose from. The Icing on the cake would be the free shipping which is applicable for most of the products on the site. Allmodern isn't limited to Bar Stools alone..it has every type of  furnishings for Living-room to Dining-room, Bath-room to Bed-room. Check the above link  to see what I am talking about. Here are a few of my favorites:

Winsome - Adjustable Airlift Bar Stool (Set of 2):

LumiSource - Viva 28" Bar Stool in Dark Brown Wood:

Modus - Hudson Dining Biscuit Back Bar Stool in Mocha:

Gus Modern - Pawn Stool:

Read More...