Beaches

Off to check out the beaches… Africa beach and Vienna beach are just down the road from home, about six minutes by car. Both have tables very close to the shore, close enough to walk down and dip your feet in the water. At Africa beach if you get the table closest to the sea you will get sprayed when the tide is in, and lovely cool toes. Beyond Takoradi there are more glorious beaches like Busua, Ezile Bay, Lou Moon and more... I've shared a few photos from last year and the previous ...

February 21, 2018

Ghana – Home Sweet Home

The city lights flickering in the dark as we approach Accra's Kotoka International Airport is a wonderful sensation, we know we are just about to touch down... after 6 and a half hours flying, flight BA0081 has landed… the doors open and the hot, tropical air blasts in to greet us… The airport staff greet us with warm smiles and "Akwaaba" - welcome, you're home now! The long queue in the arrival hall was a shock… quite a few flights had arrived at the same time, so you can ...

February 12, 2018

Chicken Zanzibar

Curries, casseroles, tagines, stews, what have they got in common?... flavours kicking and screaming from one pot! This weekend I’ve enjoyed chicken curry with Zanzibar Curry Powder from Seasoned Pioneers, the aroma in the house was heaven! The smell seduced my son away from his laptop to find out what was cooking! I had to admire his impatience, or patience, as he waited for me to take some pics (if that makes any sense). After a heaped serving, he ...

April 19, 2017

Monkey Business

Before I go away to Ghana on holiday, I find myself dreaming of all the tasty treats I've missed, so ...wait for this ...I list all the things I look forward to eating! (don't laugh I'm serious). A popular street food I love and a childhood favourite has to be boiled monkey nuts, sold by street hawkers everywhere you turn. This is closely followed by corn and peanuts wrapped tightly in corn husks and steamed till tender (a bit like a Mexican tamale), called ...

March 21, 2017

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

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

Christmas gift ideas with African Adinkra symbols

We're not in panic mode yet and there's still time to order stuff online, but it's getting close.... If you're looking for something a little bit interesting and different check out www.adinkra.today for some not too expensive Christmas gift ideas with an African theme. KwesiEddie has added his own styling to his favourite African Adinkra symbols and put them on good quality clothing and gifts, it's worth taking a minute to check out his stuff. You never know, it might just be that ...

December 6, 2014

Tastes of Ghana course

Wednesday 15th October was ‘Tastes of Ghana’ day at the Novelli Academy, and what fun it was! From the minute the guests arrived till the moment they left, the energy and atmosphere was one I will remember for a long time!! We began with the usual welcome, teas, coffees and biscuits and chatted as guests wandered around the kitchen and enjoyed looking over the ingredients &nbs...

October 22, 2014

Welcome to my blog

Hello and welcome to my blog – A Plate in the Sun. It’s named after my first cook book simply because when I imagine a plate in the sun I think of enjoying fresh and delicious dishes in the sunshine, fun and relaxing times, summer, friends and all things good. I’m from glorious, sun-soaked Ghana in West Africa and grew up in Takoradi, in earshot of Atlantic waves crashing against the tropical shores. Add to that picture: palm trees, sand, ...

September 4, 2014