Still Buzzing! + Sample Menu from Ummi's Gourmet Food.

Heylo!

Hope You've been well.

So I've just survived the busiest two months since I unofficially launched Ummi's Gourmet Food in May 2016. 

To be honest, when I first started I wasn't quite sure what direction I was heading towards. 

I was just going with the flow, giving people what they want and that left me tired and exhausted with not much to show for profit.

Entrepreneurship is hard yo! Don't let anyone tell you "it's great being self employed" because if you're like me and personal discipline is quite, em, flexible then its a struggle!

I'm passionate about food, but I'm not a businesswoman. 

I'm a scientist that nearly flunked the two MBA units I had to take to graduate Pharmacy school.

(I got 60% o! before you think I'm an olodo. But I struggled to get this mark)

Over the last 8 months I have used trial and error to mould my business a little more and even though I'm not yet where I want to be, I'm a lot closer now than I was even 5 months ago.

The month of December has been super exhausting! 

I have been swamped with orders, had a food stand at two different events, catered to three bridal showers, served scores of office lunches and a LOT more!

I guess 2016 is ending with a BANG for me. I can't wait for 2017, I have so many ideas to put into place. 

I plan to

Finally hire a full time kitchen assistant 

(Yes, I've been doing it by myself this whole time with very little help)

start daily lunches for offices

Start cooking classes

Stock my marinades in shops.

InshaAllah.

Anyways, onto yummier things: I tend to love putting platters together for parties. Here's a sample menu I made for a bridal shower of 20 people.

They got 5 platters of bite sized goodies.

Ummi's Biscuit crunch brownies

These chewy, chocolatey brownies go amazingly well with ice cream! and maybe crumbled pecans, Oh my!

Just in case you missed the details

Churros! 

I still remember my reaction when I tasted churros for the first time in 2006! 

I blogged about it in my old blog back then. 

These fried Mexican/Spanish donuts cannot be described correctly. 

Crunchy shell on the outside, soft and gooey on the inside and dusted with cinnamon sugar! 

Sold!

Choux make me happy!

Mini Burgers!

Beef patties sandwiched with fresh veg and Ummi's signature smoky mayo! 

I didn't like the look of this burger cos my regular burger bun supplier had run out of fresh buns! I had to use soft bread rolls, sigh.

Didn't take away from the taste though!

The secret to a good home made burger is to minimise the seasoning in the patty itself. 

Keep the patty light on seasoning and make a kick ass sauce to compensate for taste! 

The contrast in flavour will tickle your taste buds and keep your foodies guessing!

Burger off! No beef for you here.

Chicken Kebab skewers with Ummi's Gourmet Food signature marinade (Naija Spice Marinade)

Meat. 

.

Enough Said.

Meat.

Corn Dogs!

Puffy skewers of a smooth lightly spiced bun filled with chicken franks.

It's like a hotdog. But less messy.

The Corn dogs come with Ummi's Mustard mayo dip.

Remember that brownie? Of course you do. You can order it when you're ready from Ummi's gourmet food @UmmisGourmetFood on Instagram.

We are currently closed for the year as I get some much needed rest and maybe go visit the family in KN and DR.

Have a great week ahead! I hope the holiday season is nice and stress free for everyone!

P.S. In case you try reaching me on insta, all my personal devices decided to get spoilt last week! My phone is not responding to treatment while my iPad is half paralysed but is recuperating somewhere in GSM village.

My only access to the inter web is my desktop and I feel like I'm living in 2003!

Hopefully I get my devices back soon but if you need to reach me urgently just call or SMS the number on the logo and I'll get back as soon as possible.

Take Care

Lot's of Yummy Love, 

Ummi

x o x o

Catching Up || Features, Blog Shop, 5k views on Anisa Haque || Personal Update

Hello Lovelies!


Why does it feel like a decade since I've posted?

Ever had those days where it seems there aren't enough hours in one day? Thats me in the month of May! It has been a super productive yet, busy month and as it comes to an end, I'm so happy with all I have achieved or planned to achieve this month. Here's the Down low....


Blog Update

Ramadan is upon us (YAY!!!). The Ultimate month for Foodies is here! I should have a few Ramadan friendly posts coming up, so stay tuned!

I am working on a Blog Shop where you lovely readers who are interested in purchasing selected items or services can browse through and do so. This has been inspired by the most popular post on this blog (Get perfect skin with turmeric!)

I haven't finalised all the details yet, but I know for starters, its going to be some traditional beauty supplies in bulk. So keep in touch if you're interested in DIY beauty products.


BIG Project!

I am launching a line of food products!

Now in the past, I have sold my food at fairs and while I always have fun cooking for people, I find it extremely stressful in the week leading up to it. I cook by myself with very little assistance, so you can imagine how cooking 150 plates of food for a fair is. I also had a very unpleasant experience during one of the fairs so I'm phasing them out.

But food is my passion, right? And I would never have made it as far as I have in the food business if it weren't for the encouragement of my viewers on Instagram and this blog. So I'm reaching out to you all by starting a line of food products that can be purchased fresh or frozen or cooked and I'm calling it....*drum roll please*

Like the Logo? I made it myself... *pats back* I've made a few logos in my day, but this is by far my favourite.

So give yourself a few days off and let Ummi do the cooking for you. This line will include meal prep items as well as ready meals.... stay tuned!

I'll be posting details in a few days regarding the dishes and how to order so stay tuned!


BIGGER Project

This one I CANNOT talk about! Not until it is set in stone. It is a dream I have had for a really long time and to see it coming to fruition would mean I have fulfilled one of my major life goals. Please keep me in your prayers. Your girl needs it. I'll gush all about it when the time is right.



Features!

So I'm going to be featured on a few websites and I is fery happy abourrit!

The first is Northern Life, which is launching next week or so (Yay!)

The second is HijabiGlobeTrotter which is an awesome blog you all should follow.

I'll let you know when I'm up.



Driving School

I don't know to drive.

I don't have a licence.

I am scared of the road and all the chaos that comes with it *covers face*

Would you blame me though? Nigerian roads are crazy!

I miss living in a country with awesome public transport system. Where I can catch a train and a bus and get to where I'm going without needing a tetanus shot!

So after 4 years of hitching rides, begging my brothers, inconveniencing the husband (it's not an inconvenience if he loves you, right?) and non stop ridicule from my family....I have finally joined a driving school!

No one seems to have the patience to teach me, I may as well go to a professional who has probably seen students way worse than I am.

its been 8 days already and according to my instructor, I'm doing quite well! So in your face, mean family! *sticks out tongue*

I just didn't expect driving school to have homework... I mean I've been out of uni for ages! *sigh* I actually have to go and buy cardboard paper, paint and a metre rule. Oy Vey!



Who is Anisa Haque

You guys! I have hit 5,000 viewers, 500 likes and nearly 300 comments on my debut ChickLit/Adventure/Mystery book;

WHO IS ANISA HAQUE.



*spraying glitter and confetti*

It is also ranked at number 842 Worldwide out of over 100,000 chick lit books on Wattpad.

*buying everyone a drink

I have been receiving a lot of love and support over at Wattpad and I have met several young Nigerian writers with passion and creativity, we've sort of formed a little community.

See how kind they've been to me;

If you haven't read it yet (why are you carrying last?) Click Here to start from the Beginning!

If you're a reader that hasn't caught up in a while, Click here to continue reading! The story is getting Juicier, I promise you.

If you're on Wattpad and aren't following me, Click here to fix that problem.


MotherHood & Mrs.Hood

We put Baby R in school! In third term, no less. She's been so bored at home lately, surrounded by adults that I feel she doesn't socialise well with kids. So I thought I'd put her in daycare, but they insisted she start school proper, so here's my little reception princess.

Drop waist, on trend!

Sports wear chic?

Mr.H and I had our Fourth Wedding Anniversary last month. Yay! To celebrate, we went to 355 for a romantic dinner and we had a great time. It's a bit of a splurge, I know but hey, we deserve it for not tearing each other apart after being together for over 11 years! Here's to 50 more Habibi!


So that's it my darlings! You're now all caught up with what I've been up to.

I hope you're convinced that I haven't abandoned this space.

Things should ease out in the next few weeks, so I should be blogging more often.

Hope you've all been great and things are flowing smoothly for you all.

Do you have any gist for me?

Have you forgiven my long absence?

Am I to a query from you?

Leave a comment below and let me know.

Thanks for reading this far! You deserve a medal



Lot's of Awesome Love,


Ummi