Let me tell you a quick story. A few months ago, I visited an old friend. We were laughing, catching up, and doing what Nigerians do best—eating. She served me a plate of steaming jollof rice (my weakness), fried chicken, and a colorful side of coleslaw. It was delicious, no lie. But halfway through, I noticed something strange. My tongue felt funny. My stomach started to rumble. And by the next day, I was sipping herbal tea, swearing off “outside food” forever.Turns out, the flavor-packed seasoning she used was a cocktail of unpronounceables—chemical-laced, sodium-heavy, fake spice imposters. Here’s the hard truth: some of the foods we’re eating, even the ones we love, are slowly doing damage. What’s Hiding in Your...
At Flourish Spices and African Food, we love food. We love cooking it, eating it, seasoning it, and of course…talking about it. But did you know some of your favorite dishes come with stories so funny, you’ll never see them the same way again? Let’s dig into some weird and laugh-out-loud facts about the foods we all know and love. Plus a few ways to spice them up, Flourish-style. 1. Potatoes Were Once Feared (Yes, Feared) Back in 16th-century Europe, people thought potatoes were evil. Some believed they caused diseases, others thought they were food for witches. Imagine turning your nose up at fried yam or crispy potato porridge today because someone claimed it was “unholy.” 2. Chicken Was Once So...
There I was, proudly stirring my pot of ogbono soup, humming along to Asa’s “Bibanke,” when I decided to taste my masterpiece. And then bam! Salt. Too. Much. Salt. My heart sank. I had been looking forward to that soup all day. But instead of panicking, I remembered something my mum used to say: “A good cook isn’t one who never makes mistakes, but one who knows how to fix them.” So, apron still on and hope still alive, I got to work. If you’ve ever over-salted your pot of stew, egusi, ogbono, or even jollof, you’re not alone. Here are a few tried-and-true ways to rescue your favorite African and Nigerian dishes when the salt is threatening to take...
Are you tired of bland meals on your keto diet? Let me share some exciting healthy keto foods that can transform your eating experience while keeping you in ketosis. Keto eating focuses on low-carb, high-fat foods that help your body burn fat for energy instead of carbs. Many delicious foods fit perfectly into this lifestyle! Healthy Keto Foods Worth Adding to Your Meals Nutritious proteins like eggs, chicken, beef, and fatty fish (salmon and mackerel) provide essential nutrients while keeping carbs low. Healthy fats such as avocados, olive oil, and coconut oil add flavor and keep you feeling full longer. Low-carb vegetables including spinach, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage offer vitamins and minerals with minimal carbs. Nuts and seeds like almonds,...
If happiness had a flavor, it would probably taste like strawberries. Sweet, juicy, and bursting with goodness, strawberries are more than just a delicious fruit—they’re a symbol of love, warmth, and the simple joys of life. And guess what? February 27th is National Strawberry Day! A Strawberry Surprise Last year, my niece, Tolu, visited from boarding school. She had one request: "Aunty, can we make something fun and yummy?" I opened the fridge, and there they were—a fresh batch of bright red strawberries waiting to be turned into something magical. Tolu’s eyes lit up as we brainstormed ideas. "Strawberry milkshake?" she suggested. "Strawberry pancakes?" I countered. "Ooooh, strawberry-infused zobo?" That was it! We blended fresh strawberries with hibiscus petals, added a...
