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Who will you be cooking for this Valentine’s day?
However, you choose to spend the day, I must tell you that good food is almost often the way to anyone’s heart. Even yours! While couples sweep each other off their feet with sweet, grand, and affectionate gestures, one of the great ways to enjoy this season of love is to cook lovingly for someone, yes …but how about cooking for yourself? For many years my main pleasure in cooking was to serve, to feed others. I would say I eat very well, but I feed others even better. Just the look on your face, that smile and glint in your eyes, the hmmming and ahhh-ing while eating, was all the satisfaction I needed. But more recently, and since the pandemic without a crowd to feed, I have begun to enjoy the pleasure of cooking for myself. Indulging my personal cravings and greed, cooking and eating mindfully for pleasure! When I thought of this recipe, I was thinking of how much I wanted to experience great pleasure from a sumptuous meal, one that would transport me to far-away lands, this time from East Africa via West Africa. A meal that would feel just like home in my heart. Abundantly served, with the option of picking at it or devouring it all in one go. Easily satisfactory for one greedy gob or two. And just perfect for Valentine’s day, tomorrow, or any other day you deserve to enjoy the pleasure of GOOD food. Who will you be cooking for this Valentine’s day?
Sukuma Wiki (braised greens), Sweet Potato Mash & Steak
Sukuma Wiki
"Stretch the week" in Swahili
A little video to tempt you further!
Enjoy a taste of Africa with these luxuriously whipped sweet potatoes, Swahili-inspired braised greens known as Sukuma Wiki, and a smoky spiced steak, for quite the feast in less than 30 minutes. Yes, please!
The recipe is inspired by different varieties of 'starch' as we call it. A staple of African cooking - I am using sweet potatoes but traditionally you will find locals basing their meals around ground corn, cassava, plantains, and more cooked and pounded or mashed, accompanied by seafood or meat, and most importantly greens. This is a combination I have enjoyed and seen in its many guises, growing up in Nigeria and traveling across the African continent…
COOK WITH LERATO - African cookery classes in London
Join me for in-person cookery classes in our beautiful kitchen in West London.
26th Feb - Vegan West African Masterclass
24th March - Sunshine from Senegal with Yassa
If you have enjoyed this newsletter and if you tried the recipe it would mean the world to me if you share it with anyone you know will enjoy it. Don’t forget to tag #cookwithlerato & @leratofoods on Instagram, as I love to see your creations. And of course, leave a comment below to share your thoughts, questions, or fabulous suggestions.
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What you missed from last week
Roasted Lamb Jollof - See Recipe Here