Black Eyed Pea Fritters
While in Burkina Faso, I spent some time in my mother’s village of Nouna, in the southwestern part of the country near the border with Mali. It was a very rewarding and entertaining time during which I got to know my extended family and partake in village activities. I particularly enjoyed helping my extended cousin prepare Tomsos, which she sold every afternoon in front of the house. Tomsos are black eyed pea fritters very similar in taste to the Northeastern Brazilian street food Acaraje. The name Acaraje is derived from the Nigerian Akara, which was brought to Brazil by West African slave. In fact, black eyed pea fritters are a very common West African street food that can be found from Cote d’Ivoire to Nigeria under various names such samsa, tomso, gawoo and akara. Continue reading Black Eyed Pea Fritters
By Raissa Nebie on July 8, 2010 | 0
Roasted Grape Tomatoes with Rosemary and Garlic
Every so often, I forget that I have grape tomatoes in the refrigerator and then when I remember and check them out, they no longer look cute enough for a salad. When that happens, I roast them with garlic and rosemary. This has turned out to be a great way to salvage any tomatoes before their skin starts to shrivel. Hot, I find these roasted tomatoes to be a nice complement to grilled fish or chicken, but I also eat them at room temperature with bread. Sometimes, I store leftovers in a small container and cover with olive oil. This holds up well in the fridge for a week. Continue reading Roasted Grape Tomatoes with Rosemary and Garlic
By Raissa Nebie on January 28, 2010 | 0
Baked Eggs with Spinach and Cheese
Freemans is one of my favorite places to grab brunch in New York city. It almost feels like a hidden gem located at the end of a tiny alley. The food is socially conscious sans the pretentiousness and the vibe is very nice… um despite the animal heads hanging on the wall. But maybe you have an affinity for taxidermy. Anyway, what brings me to Freemans for brunch over and over is their skillet egg dish, which I absolutely love. Eggs decadently baked on a bed of spinach with heavy cream, bacon and gruyere, and served with sourdough toast. It’s such a simple yet delicious dish that I felt I should share it with you. Here’s my vegetarian adaptation of the dish, which offers a nice alternative to the oh so predictable omelet for a brunch party. Continue reading Baked Eggs with Spinach and Cheese
By Raissa Nebie on January 25, 2010 | 2
Shrimp and Tofu Tostadas
Thank you all for the get-well wishes. My engine is almost fully functional again. And if you have not gotten your flu shot yet, please do so asap. On a tastier note, I have something interesting for you to try this weekend. An appetizer that adds a delicious Asian twist to a Mexican dish — Shrimp and tofu tostadas. Wonton wrappers replace tortillas to create a crispy bed for grilled shrimps and tofu slices that have bathed in a ginger, soy, honey and sesame oil marinade. Continue reading Shrimp and Tofu Tostadas
By Raissa Nebie on January 21, 2010 | 0
A Winter Steak Dinner
There’s nothing like a big, fat and juicy steak to crank up the temperature during these cold winter days. You may argue that steak is not a thrifty food item, but there’s nothing wrong with splurging a little from time to time. That said, there are plenty of economical ways to enjoy a steak dinner. Hanger, skirt and flank steaks are reasonably priced cuts of meat that are highly prized for their flavor. Continue reading A Winter Steak Dinner
By Raissa Nebie on January 13, 2010 | 1
