CRAVING FOR TOM BROWN

So I woke up this morning with a craving for Tom Brown as you might have obviously guessed. (Ahem, you can lower your eyebrows now. ) Tom Brown (though for the love of God I don't know who came up with that name) is a local porridge made out of roasted corn ground into flour. It is then mixed into a light paste. Water is brought to boil and the paste is added. This is stirred for a few minutes to prevent lumps whilst the porridge is brought to a simmer.

I clearly remember my mother's handwritten menu in which Saturday mornings alternated between Tom Brown and Rice Water. However, it wasn't until recently that I truly started to appreciate this porridge. Eaten warm, it leaves a taste very similar to the milky goodness of 'Ayigbe toffee'(a local condiment quite like caramel) with a touch of corn. It is healthy and nutritious as most of the packaged flour now contain soy beans, wheat and other leguminous products. Also, compared to before when one 's choices were limited to sugar to taste and evaporated milk (Do you remember Ideal and Carnation?I think they were the only two brands in the market or the only two that mattered,anyway.) if you were lucky; now people have gotten inventive. It is eaten with honey, yogurt and nuts.

Personally, I recommend adding lots of milk and enough sugar, dish it out real nice, watch the milk swirl over the brown porridge beautifully, take a deep breath and enjoy.

#foodninja

#tom brown moments

For love of T.Z

      

Honestly, I still have no idea what on earth possessed me to say yes or anything close to it to my friend Sandra. So the simple mass we would attend turned into an all night service. And the simple procession was not quite so simple. In fact, we WALKED for TEN HOURS. Even the memory of it tires me out.

Reluctantly though I must admit it was a fun experience and a time for many firsts. First time I slept on the floor of a church corridor (or a church for that matter), first time I walked that distance(and might I add; the last), first time I sat in the bucket of a pick up and first time I ate 'Tuo Zaafi' popularly referred to as T.Z.

I knew very little about the dish besides the fact that it was indigenous to the Northern region of Ghana and was said to be similar to akple (the dish indigenous to the Volta region ). Settling down in the shack like chop bar where incredible cauldrons containing soups were set on firewood. Honestly, I had never seen such sheer large quantities of meat and eggs and soup.(so much soup). Other huge metal pots could be seen through the slabs of wood that were boarded together to create this T.Z joint,where women tirelessly and relentlessly drove the corn flour and cassava flour paste over large fires.

The green leaves soup as I called it at that time, I must admit, looked more than a bit strange to me. It was in many ways similar to Okro soup which I was used to and yet different. All of this reticence only played for a split second in my mind as I attacked the food. The first morsel in my mouth had my eyes bulging out and had my taste buds doing the happy song. The 'Tuo zaafi' dish arguably was the softest traditional dish we had. On its own, it didn't really have a distinctly strong taste. Just a whiff of the corn and cassava that came together superbly to create this wonder. The soup though made of 'ayoyo' leaves (as I came to learn) and beaten with a broom(yup, my sentiments exactly. Don't worry though. It is totally hygienic) to get the slimy nature(like that of okro soup) was for lack of a better word; amazing. It had just the right amount of seasoning and it was hot and spicy(they have less hot and spicy soups too). I was in heaven right there. All I can say is did I say it was my last time making he trip?

So I am sure some of you are saying it was the hunger talking and nothing else. I know, I know...which is why I tried my new discovery out on campus when I came by. The joint near the arts faculty is rather popular so I tried it out expecting to be disappointed. Even though she wasn't as generous with her meat or with her spices, I came to a conclusion.

There is no round dish quite like this one.

#food ninja

#in love with 'tuo zaafi'

The 'kelewele' king

 I have always been a sucker for plantain.( Sucker...plantain, get it? ) .So it is no wonder i am such a huge of fan of 'kelewele'. for those who have most probably never heard of  it, this is a dish made of  tiny slices of plantain (a crop indigenous to the tropics, rather similar to banana), mixed with choice spices which almost always comprise of ground pepper, ginger and a pinch of salt. This is then deep fried till golden brown and it is ready to be served. Traditionally it is eaten with groundnuts. For a lover of spicy food and plantain this treat is a gift from the gods.
  When it comes to 'kelewele', i have got to say it is the two extremes. it is either incredibly good or simply terrible. My hunt for the 'kelewele' king began two years ago but till now, sadly no one reigns supreme. however  between  Tema, Accra and Kumasi where i am based these days, i have to say there are some 'kelewele' gurus who have intrigued my palates every now and then. 
    Almost every taxi rank in this country is sure to boast of the 'kelewele' seller. And there is always the one that always has the crowd and the one you go to because you have no choice and are so hungry you are sure to pass out. how do you detect these sellers? Easy. They only have the occasional buyer and they are always shooting daggers at the other more successful trader. They usually complain a lot about the economy and give you no extras. 
      In Sakumono estates, the taxi rank just opposite 'Bonjour' fast food joint is the base of one such 'kelewele' guru. Don't expect much of a smile or extras but if you like your 'kelewele' hot, not overly spicy and with just that hint of spice you can't pinpoint,then it is the place to go. be sure to crosscheck for your groundnuts though. With all the people they tend to, they might just forget to add your groundnuts.
    Towards the MP flats also in Sakumono has one such woman who exists just for those who like life on the spicy side. not too far from her in typical Ghanaian fashion is Shawnzy's corner. The hostesses are two young ladies with a ready smile and also a hot plate of delicious 'kelewele' as well. It is no wonder the men just seem to fin this spot incredibly cozy.
     In Ayeduase and by that i mean just my little tour on the immediate outskirts of K.N.U.S.T campus, Kumasi are some kelewele sellers. Though none of them particularly have me dancing in the moonlight, there's an old woman two junctions after the  Ayeduase gate who proves continuously that age does it best. Also, lots of extras.
      Rumour has it that somewhere in 'UG' campus in Legon,Accra is a woman who fries her 'kelewele' with strips of chicken and they are amazing. this is hearsay but not for long because as soon as this food ninja steps back in legon, we will see if we can finally crown the 'kelewele' king.
#food ninja
#still on the 'kelewele' hunt

         

the 'tang-asm'

Last Christmas vacation was one of my best because... there was church, family, friends, food, parties, drink ups,music concerts...and did mention food? food...yup, there was lots of food. Anyway, it was in the spirit of giving that my friends decided to treat me to my new found love; shawarma. I was yet to eat a really good one till i ate the one they were about to treat me to. (Aish, i love Christmas. everyone is so generous) we pile ourselves into our very ratty car(my zanpakuto) and the Script keeps us entertained through out the thick Spintex road traffic till we arrive. (for all who live in Tema, you know what i mean. for those who don't, arm yourselves with water if your 'zanpakuto' has no air conditioning , music and good conversation)
     Anyway we arrive a little under twenty minutes to this cute place situated right by the turning on the road leading to the mall. the parking was a bit tricky but luckily the security guards/valets/traffic wardens know what they are  doing. Mawarko's is a small place; the interior decor though gives it the illusion of more space. The place is nicely furnished; a delicate balance between strong masculine colours of coffee and black set against a background of cream and glass. The first things that hit you are the blast of cool air from the giant air conditioners strategically placed in the corners (which was most welcome) and my most favourite thing in the world: the aroma of spicy food. At this point the ninja in me was back flipping till my friend informed me Mawarko's was out of 'shawarma'. '*%&*$' , I believe  i said something along those lines as i grumpily settled back for a beef burger instead and a tangerine. seriously, when did all you Ghanaians start eating my shawarma? Mtchew!!
      The burger frankly was not the best i had had. No prejudice here. The bread tasted strongly of cinnamon and sesame. the seasoning for the beef was blah and they used coleslaw. Seriously! Also, they placed their fries inside burger so uh,... don't go back if you can't find your serving of fries. after that, i have to say it was with some trepidation that i took a sip of the juice but my, oh, my!  You know how ads always portray drinks shaking one out of his senses till he goes 'brrr' and purrs like a cat. well this actually does that. the real tangerine flavour, the extra chill from the crushed ice and just the right amount of sweet against sour makes you feel like um, ...how did my friend describe it again? it makes you feel like your balls have been tickled. Lol!

       So Mawarko's may not have the best burgers but hey, they sure know how to serve up a hell of a glass of ball tickler. 
 #Mawarko's at Spintex    
 #the food ninja