On this episode of Food with Florence, we both learn how to cook something new.
Today I worked from home. Pastor George had a meeting that I couldn’t attend so I stayed home and planned liturgy for this week’s service. On my lunch break, I joined Florence in the kitchen for more cooking lessons.
First up.... Kenyan Cabbage
First we went out to the garden to pick a cabbage. After rinsing it off, we shredded it into tiny pieces and set it aside.
One of my favorite aspects of this dish is that you can adapt it to your flavor tastes. Usually people put peppers in but I prefer onions, garlic, and carrots. Below is a picture of Florence cutting up a small onion. You put it into a pot with a tiny bit of oil. Let it simmer briefly.
Add in cabbage and other flavors. You may choose to add salt and pepper to taste. Then cover and let cook over medium heat for a few minutes and then enjoy!
This is one of my favorite Kenyan dishes and everyone makes it differently. It’s also often the only opportunity to eat veggies at a meal with is also a perk. I’ll definitely be trying this one at home.
Florence has been so kind in teaching me how to make my favorite Kenyan dishes. She’s been asking to learn an American dish. Honestly, I don’t know what actually counts as American food so I’ve struggled to come up with something to teach her. I would love your feedback if you think of something I should teach her to make. There are not nearly as many ingredients available here (even butter is hard to come by). However, after discovering fresh okra in the garden yesterday, I realized we could make fried okra with the fresh okra, eggs (also fresh from the backyard), and maize flour (aka corn flour).
I had never actually made it before. I typically just get it at southern restaurants. I also remember my mom making it in a big skillet when I was little. As I recall, she couldn’t keep it on the table! As soon as she completed a batch, Dad, Van, and I had already devoured the previous one. Florence was thrilled to learn that fried okra was a family favorite.
Sorry, I forgot to take pictures of the okra preparation. All you need to know is that it was a big hit. Florence loved it and we even dipped it in sauce (aka ketchup). She requested that I make it again when her kids come home from boarding school next month so they can try it too.
She’s eager to learn more “American recipes” so if you think of any good ones that require basic ingredients, please let me know!
After some much needed downtime in the afternoon, I accompanied Pastor George, an elder, and three deacons to do Home visits from 5-10:30. As usual these home visits were life-giving and thank goodness for that. I needed an extra dose of Jesus today. We made it through 14 homes this evening aka our personal best. Phew, what a day!
~ big hugs from Nell in Nairobi