How to Make Awara (Tofu) || Hausa Food || UmmiBee

Hey Guys!



Have you heard of Awara?



Awara is the Hausa version of Tofu, A meal made of Soybean curds. Its a great source of protein for all the fitfams out there.



It is a much loved delicacy in northern Nigeria. People usually buy it in the mornings to late afternoons so its great for the munchies and would leave you full for very long.



People usually dismiss making Awara at home because they find it tedious, tiresome and very difficult.



In this recipe, I demystify and simplify the almighty awara! Its actually not that difficult at all! and if you follow the pictorial above, you'll find out for yourself too.



Sure it may have a lot of steps, but at the end of the day, the yummy treat you get is so worth it!



Have you ever tried Awara?



Are you a fan of Awara?



Do you like Tofu?



Do you have any recipe suggestions for Awara?



Let us know in the comments below!



Lots of Curdy Love,



Ummi



xoxo

My Mother's Garden

Hey my lovelies!

So the other day I went to pick up Baby R from my parents' house. Yes, I'm one of those very lucky people that have parents that live in town. 

Its great because they help us baby sit the baby whenever we want! I used to feel guilty whenever i dropped her off in the mornings but there was no need to! The grandparents LOVE having the grand kid around and you've just bought yourself a few baby free hours so its a win-win situation!

In fact, when i don't take Baby R there in over 3 days, I get a random phone call from Mummy dearest saying (In the most Hausa film attitude)

"Kin hana ta zuwa gidan mu, yanzu ta manta da mu."

Meaning

"You've stopped bringing her to our house and she's forgotten us now!"

And when i do finally take her (4 days later) I get attitude for the first five minutes...

"So we now have to beg to see her?"

...until I cave and apologise. 

Anyway, So on this very day i met my mum and her gardener working on the garden and i got super jealous.

Some of the parent plants for these flowers are nearly as old as I am! Mum had them moved whenever we moved! Port Harcourt, Warri, Kaduna & Abuja! They bring back so many memories.

The rainy season is just beginning so most of the flowers haven't bloomed yet, but we were able to get some gorgeous blooms and Mum made a sweet bouquet because Dad was returning from his trip. In her words:

"Hmmm, mu fa yan gayu ne, ba kaman wasu ba."

Meaning:

"We are fancy people, unlike some others."

Roll my eyes.

Did I mention my Mama is a drama Queen?

Hello!

This reminds me of those tornado potato chips on a stick you get at fairs

This gazebo has hosted many a family BBQ.

One Dies as one blossoms: Thus goes the circle of life.

Hold this for me! That was my job.

Beautiful potted succulent.

So in love with this!

Bulked them up with long slender leaves.

Filled the vase with water and Orbeez (water absorbing polymer beads) 

See them starting to bulk up at the bottom?

My stupid trays had to ruin this shot. grrr.

See how green the grass is?

Cant get enough of this bulb!

This is just a glimpse of Mum's plants.

She's got Mint, curry leaves, pumpkin leaves, grapes, turmeric, lemon grass, guava, and many other plants.

Cool, huh?

So, Do you like them?

Do you know the names of these plants? 

Let us know in the comments below!

The roses are beginning to bud, I'll bring photos when they bloom...

Lots of blossomed Love,

Ummi

xoxo

Nkoyo || Restaurant Review

Nkoyo to me has always been one of those "feel good" places I can go and eat in Abuja without fear or trepidation that my night would be ruined by shitty service or crappy food.

I have been there a few times before this, though Mr. H practically lives there! So He gets me take out every now and then.

We had friends visiting Abuja from Warri with their kids so we decided to take them out to dinner.

The Ambience

Nkoyo has a calm, relaxed, warm feel as you walk in. The wicker, cane and wooden furniture with tie and dye table runners remind me of the patio or veranda areas of Nigerian houses in the 90s; when houses had no fences and you sit on cane chairs on the front porch to have a late afternoon snack as you watch people pass by on their way home from work.

Totally relaxing.

Photo Credit

I love that they have an in house pianist to serenade you as you enjoy your meal. And guess what? You can actually walk up to the pianist and request any song you want, he's that talented! It totally adds to the experience

The Food

Nkoyos menu is divided into two; a continental menu and "Masala Wahala" which is their South Indian menu. We usually mix and match.

For starters, we ordered a plate of crispy king prawns to share.

The Prawns were coated in bread crumbs then deep fried and oh my, it was soooo good! I could seriously have eaten it all by myself. It came with a light salad and some garlic mayo which was also really good as a dipping sauce! I forgot to tell the waiter to leave some for me to eat my main with. Sigh.

For the main I ordered the Spicy Grilled Fish which was Giwa Ruwa (a local freshwater fish) steak marinated in 'Nigerian Chili' and grilled with brown butter. It came with a light salad and for the side I chose Seasoned Fries, instead of steamed veg or jollof rice *covers face*

The fish was beautifully cooked. The edges were irresistibly crisp, sealing all the juices inside! I was so consumed, I didn't even realise when Mr. H helped himself to one of my fillets *shakes fist*

He had ordered his usual, Curry Gassi with steamed rice, which I tasted and loved! It looked like chicken afghani but nut as nutty.

Our guests were a little non adventurous so they all went with chicken and chips.

The Drinks

They have a decent selection of reasonably priced mocktails. I had the Pink Lady which was a gradient drink with grenadine syrup, pineapple juice and lime juice. 'Twas nice.

Mr. H had a Deep Blue Sky, which he really liked.

The Service

We had the best waiter, very friendly and attentive without being overbearing. I wish I could remember his name.

The Price

The damage done was N23,500 for six people which I thought was great considering we had two courses and mocktails all round.

Address

First floor, Ceddit Plaza Central Area.

Abuja

Opening Hours

Monday to Sunday: 11am - 11pm

Have you ever eaten at Nkoyo?

What did you have?

Did you enjoy it?

Let us know in the comments below

Lots of yummy love!

Ummi

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