It’s a wrap

I’ve always loved wrapping, no matter how small the gift. I enjoy disguising them so you can’t guess what it is. When my sons were younger, wrapping Christmas gifts was an absolute delight. I would spend hours late into the night, coming up with ingenious ways of hiding their presents, using boxes, tubes, brown paper, virtually anything I could lay my hands on. If a gift was small, the bigger the box the better. Opening a box with the gift buried deep in ...

July 19, 2015

From Rice-water to Caramelised rice pudding!

Rice-water may sound humble but believe me, when it ends up as a delicious rice pudding you will want second and third helpings! In Ghana rice-water is a breakfast porridge. It is simply rice with water, simmered until the rice disintegrates and served with sugar and evaporated milk. My mum made rice water as a Sunday evening supper, after a rather large Sunday lunch, often chicken peanut butter soup… I have to say, the rice-water didn’t really excite me, as I missed her ...

May 31, 2015

Takoradi Market Circle

Have you ever experienced a market in Africa? Join me on a journey to my favourite - Takoradi Market Circle Here's an extract from my African fusion cook book "A Plate in the Sun" I grew up in Takoradi, a beautiful city along the Atlantic coast and twinned with its neighbour, Sekondi. Daily food shopping at the open-air market in the middle of town – the Market Circle, is fascinating, a place where you can buy anything from fresh foods to a bow and arrow to bridal wear. An ...

April 15, 2015

CNN enjoys African Superfoods

This is exciting news - African food is gaining momentum. Soon after sharing news from the British Medical Journal the Lancet, that Ghanaian food was in the top ten healthiest diets in the world, I see CNN is also talking about African superfoods. Some of these superfood dishes, and many others, are in my book A Plate in the Sun. They're easy to cook and ingredients are easy to find. Give them a go! The fruit of the baobab is one of many in the ever growing list of African superfoods ...

March 27, 2015

National pie week with Patti’s pies

Hi Everyone, as it's National Pie Week, I thought I'd share a couple of delicious pie recipes with you, especially as I come from a country which is big on meat pie snacking. Every shape, every size and every filling. In Ghana I've even found cooked pasta finding its way into a pie! When it comes to pies, I don't think there is a right or wrong way, just what your taste buds suggest. Here are two of my favourite fillings, corned beef and curried chicken livers. Don't even try ...

March 3, 2015

Ghanaian foods ranked the 6th best in the world

We all knew it, but guess what, - Ghana is in the world top 10 for healthiest diets. Britain's Mail Online's health pages summarises an article in "The Lancet" that identifies Ghana has the 6th best diet in the world. Not just Africa, but the world!! Viasat 1 Ghana gives a similar write-up I met a lovely guest, Nicola Neal, on a cooking course at the Novelli Academy and we've since become good friends and lunch buddies. She suggests in her blog "Feeding my intolerant Child" ...

February 20, 2015

Valentine cheesy beef and lamb meatballs with pasta

Here’s my quick, easy and special treat for that special Valentine person – Cheesy beef and lamb meatballs with pasta. I've used chopped baby spinach instead of fresh herbs and the colourful red peppers are sweet and juicy, just like your loved one! Sweet and juicy roasted red peppers

February 13, 2015

Patti’s Winter Warming Chocolate and Berry Porridge

If I had to choose my favourite breakfast for a cold winter’s day it has to be warming chocolate and berry porridge! Delicious and easy and one everyone, especially children will fall in love with. Simply follow the instructions on a packet of oats. Once the porridge begins to bubble is when it starts to get interesting. Stir in your favourite extracts, perhaps vanilla or almond, and sweeten with honey. A ...

February 6, 2015