Palava Sauce

"Palava" in Portugese means to speak aloud.  Palava also pronounced as plaba in some West African states means to argue. The "Palava sauce" like its derivative is a precise mixture of  vegetables, spices, seasonings, palm oil, meats and fish which arguably make a delicious blend. Winning this argument takes a good hand which comes with practice and patience.

Bitter Leaves/Egusi soup

One such palava sauce is Bitter leaves. Bitter leaves are common through-out West Africa. Depending on the local it goes by different names. In Nigeria alone it has three different names that we are aware of. It is called "onugbo" by the Igbo tribe, "ewuro" by the Yoruba tribe and "shiwaka" by the Hausa tribe. In Sierra Leone it is simply "Bitter leaf "aka. "Bittas". The leaf is known for multiple healing properties that span from diabetes, prostate cancer, malaria etc…

Thanksgiving- Place your orders NOW!!

THANKSGIVING DINNER!!

SMOKED TURKEY

By

SHIKA ADEMU-JOHN/ Caterer

Place your Smoked Turkey orders NOW!! 

10-12 pounds Turkey seasoned to perfection in a special blend of herbs, spices and seasonings. Slowly smoked with a mesquite wood flavor that strategically penetrates down to the bone and preserves all natural juices.  A taste that can only be described as delicious, succulent and tasty.

PRICE                                                       --      $65.00 (shipping and/or delivery not included)

First Come/First Serve Basis Only           --      50 Orders Only

Place your orders through:   e-mail at       --    Ademujo@aol.com   

   Webpage       --    www.facebook.com/mywifeshands

                                       Phone            --    732 266-4896

Note:

Orders are Limited Only to Specific Areas in the New York Tri-State Area -- NY, NJ and PA and Maryland.                               

All payments must be in no later than November 15, 2011. Checks must be made to Shika Ademu-John and mailed to 9 Benjamin Griggs Drive, Franklin Park, NJ 08823  

Please call to finalize payments so that accurate amounts can be calculated based on your location for delivery, if so desired. Pick up can also be arranged.

All delivery must be accepted on or before midnight November 22, 2011, unless otherwise agreed upon in writing

Sweet Mother

While Artists bring life to a canvas, a Chef’s masterful collage’ begins in the kitchen then spreads out to the dinner table. The enticing presentation once visually consumed is then ingested through our taste buds where it creates an indelible mark that conjours memories of flavors, events, places and people. Like good food, Good hands become the Hallmark of a successful occasion and are never forgotten.

 The dinner table above reminds me of my Mother-Gifty Jane-John who had masterful hands that created some of the most memorable dishes and events. She created for me what my wife has created for our family- a great sense of belonging, a strong family setting, good food and a safe and caring environment..

Wishing all my friends a Happy Mothers Day. Thanks for all the patience, nurturing, care, understanding and love you have shown over the years and continue to show. As mothers you are the foundation of the family, the vessel through which God delivers the precious gift of humanity. In you we experience the first hold, the first voice and the first sense of belonging. No one can replace you. You are a special and priceless gift that gives selflessly. On a special day like this we pause to show our appreciation and thanks for the countless sacrifices you made just to see us through. Sweet Mothers, Auntys, and Caretakers we will never forget all your suffering. Tenke (Thank you)

 

Good, tasty African dishes: Unreasonable Order

Good, tasty African dishes: Unreasonable Order: "On Friday evening an old client e-mailed a request for Moi-Moi that she wanted for the next day.In view of the work involved in preparing th..."

Unreasonable Order

On Friday evening an old client e-mailed a request for Moi-Moi that she wanted for the next day.In view of the work involved in preparing this delight we were both apprehensive but in agreement that Moi-Moi was a great addition to the menu.
Between the soaking, peeling, washing and blending of the black-eye peas the order was ready just in time soon after the reception started. Although most of the guests were new to this dish it made for great conversation and  friendship especially with a glass of wine. To my suprise a taste test by one of the other chefs resulted in a marriage proposal. Good food works wonders. It opens inner doors to the soul mind and body.

The mystery of black-eye peas, seasonings, spices delivered with a smile- Visit us on facebook at www.facebook.com/MyWifesHands    

Secrete recipes

Beans Akara- An exotic use of black-eye beans commonly known in West Africa as Beans Akara. a blend of black-eye peas, salt, white pepper, water and oil.



                                                Black-eye peas used to create an delicious tasting serving of Olehleh, A choice of vegetable oil or Palmoil as preferred for coloring and taste. A strategic blend of fish or ground beef, seasonings, spices and water. New recipes for your dinner table. 

Good, tasty African dishes: The Way We Were- Bitter Leaf/ Egusi soup

Good, tasty African dishes: The Way We Were- Bitter Leaf/ Egusi soup: "It’s the weekend. The menu is focused on Palava sauce aka Plasas and the starch/carbohydrate is foofoo. Among the choices for palavasuace in..."

The Way We Were- Bitter Leaf/ Egusi soup

It’s the weekend. The menu is focused on Palava sauce aka Plasas and the starch/carbohydrate is foofoo. Among the choices for palavasuace includes Bittas aka bitter leaves,  egusi soup, KrainKrain, Okra, Shakpa etc…

Its early Saturday morning, fresh peppers are being grinded on the pepeh stone ( ie: a combination of a relatively contoured almost flat iron stone used in combination with a smaller rounded version of iron stone to grind foods). The Matorodoo ( A wooden bucket caved out of a tree stump) is being cleaned along with the Motar pencil (a long wooden rod carved from a tree trunk). The dried Barrcuta fish is being plucked making certain that nothing goes to waste. The leaves are being prepared cut up washed and pounded if necessary.

As the sun rises in the Horizon its light is greeted with the risng smoke from the fireplace. Varied sizes of stones strategically placed together with chosen woods topped with a mesh of iron positioned to receive the large pot.

The rooster crows -Cock-O-rioooooo-Kooooooh its about six- o- clock. The cooking process begins. The aroma fills the air, the sounds of wood crackling as the fire burns, songs sang to pass time and quell the labor of grinding, pounding and cutting. This mixture of sounds, sight, laughter, agony and smell builds up with the rising heat from the Sun and fireplace as the meal for the day is prepared.  

Looking Ahead

The name Awujoh in Nigeria means festive gathering. In Sierra Leone where I am from Awujoh is a festive celebration that is usually comprised of most if not all of our delicacies. Like Palava sauce an Awujoh is a delicious eclectic blend of a large variety of foods in celebration of any one of the life's three stages-birth, living and death.
My wife's Hands-The cookbook opens the door to the methods and skills used in the preparation of some of these dishes with detailed information from a learned restauranteur/husband/father/businessman- Shika Ademu-John. Before the Cookbook was Awujoh the restaurant. As we await a possible re-opening we present you with recipes and facts that may guide you to new dishes that encourage and promote healthier lifestyles.

Good, tasty African dishes: Pehpeh Soup

Good, tasty African dishes: Pehpeh Soup: "Pehpeh soup is a delicious blend of water, tomato paste, cayenne pepper, Harbeneros, black pepper, salt, garlic and thyme accompanied with ..."

Pehpeh Soup

Pehpeh soup is a delicious blend of water, tomato paste, cayenne pepper, Harbeneros, black pepper, salt, garlic and thyme accompanied with meats or fish. In most regions in Africa Pehpeh soup is cooked and served with boiled plantains, cassava, sweet potatoes or Yams. Pehpeh soup is similar to the Spanish Mondongo soup both in its preparation and use of ingredients. It can be made spicy or mild.
Through out Africa Pehpeh soup is known not only for its tastiness but also for fighting common colds and fevers.

Good, tasty African dishes: Jollof Rice

Good, tasty African dishes: Jollof Rice: "Jollof rice is a dish that is popular throughout West African Countries. A delicate blend of herbs, spices, tomato paste, garlic, thyme, bl..."

Jollof Rice

Jollof rice is a dish that is popular throughout West African Countries. A delicate blend of herbs, spices, tomato paste, garlic, thyme, black pepper, salt, vegetable oil and water. The texture and flavor differs depending on the region in Africa. I use a long grain rice and pay particular attention and focus in producing a consistently fluffy, tasty and moist but not oily dish.
Our secrets and methods await you in the upcoming Cookbook-My Wife's Hands.

By
Shika Ademu-John

Good, tasty African dishes: May I have some more please?

Good, tasty African dishes: May I have some more please?: "The best testimony of good delicious food is always revealed through the response of the audience being served.This past weekend I had the p..."

May I have some more please?

The best testimony of good delicious food is always revealed through the response of the audience being served.This past weekend I had the pleasure of sharing Rice Akaras and Jollof rice with fellow students in a Lay Speaker Class I currently attend. I was elated by the response. My new friends were asking for seconds and thirds and once the hesitant ones allowed themselves to partake of the food they became instant fans.
Rice akara balls is a delicious blend of ripe bananas, rice flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, a hint of salt, water and love. i say love because there is a passion that promotes the delicate blend of all the ingredients to ensure the palatable product that makes instant fans upon tasting.
Jollof rice is quite popular throughout West Africa. In some parts of The Americas like The Gullah Island it is known as red rice. The preparation varies depending on the region in Africa. In Freetown Sierra leone, this precious dish's ingredients include, rice, tomato paste, sweet peppers, salt, black pepper,thyme(tommillo), garlic, onions, vegetable oil,water and artful patience.
With the good fortune of Technology, a blender replaces the old pounding wooden bucket(ie. Mataodoh).All the ingredients except the vegetable oil, thyme and spices are blended together and placed in a simmering pot of oil to which seasonings are added. the result is a delicious tasty soulful and mouth watering rice dish. Detailed recipes are available in the upcoming book-My Wife's Hands. Join our Facebook page.

Good, tasty African dishes: In Sierra Leone and other parts of West Africa, Ch...

Good, tasty African dishes: In Sierra Leone and other parts of West Africa, Ch...: "In Sierra Leone and other parts of West Africa, Chefs are complemented by a measure of their hands. Good hands make good foods. My Mother ha..."

In Sierra Leone and other parts of West Africa, Chefs are complemented by a measure of their hands. Good hands make good foods.
My Mother had great hands. Whenever she cooked all my cousin’s would fuss over her food. Then I met my wife- Rita. Rita has excellent hands. As the saying goes “ a man will most times choose his partner in a person with the same attributes as his mother”.
From my wife - Rita I learned the joy and true passion of cooking African dishes. I learned from one of Sierra Leone’s finest teachers. A sophisticated lady with good hands. She embodies precision, skill and soul.
To watch this Goddess move around the kitchen, is to understand what Soul food is all about. (An excerpt from the upcoming cookbook- "My Wife's Hands")
By Shikaorsor Ademu-John