garlic Archives - Will Eat This

Avocado Lime Cilantro Sauce

Food, SaucesSeptember 21, 2020September 28, 2020 Sinmi

My sister posted a picture of her food the other day on the family Whatsapp group. She does this every so often just to make me jealous. According to her, it is payback for all the food pictures I post on Instagram. I think this is a fair trade-off. So anyway, she posts her plate of plantain, brisket, and a small green salad. I was really jealous. The plantain looked like Boli, a type of roasted or grilled plantain we eat in Nigeria. Boli is made on a charcoal grill. It is what many would call street food. The grilling process creates lovely charring and gives it a smoky flavor.

Honey Garlic Cilantro Chicken

Chicken, Cooking, FoodSeptember 19, 2020September 21, 2020 Sinmi

Seven years ago when I moved to the Boston area, I attended a program called the Startup Institute to try to break into the tech scene in Boston. I remember talking to a classmate on the last day of that program about my dreams. I envisioned one day having my own space where I could host friends and cook and have a lovely conversation. Recently, I had the pleasure of cooking this Honey Garlic Cilantro Chicken while hosting a friend at my new apartment.

Leek and Corn Risotto

Cooking, Sides, VeganSeptember 14, 2020September 15, 2020 Sinmi

One of my favorite features of my apartment is my kitchen. Let me tell you…the kitchen is the thing that pushed me over the hill. Originally when I saw the listing for the apartment, I was on the fence about it. But I got a showing and I was desperate so I came reluctantly. Boy! When they say God will not let you miss what is yours…it is my kitchen. It is beautiful. It is spacious. When I made the leek and corn risotto for my friend F. the other day, I had a moment of gratitude. I looked at her sitting on the other side of the granite countertop, and I said a quick prayer of thanks to God.

Slow Roasted Tomato

Food, Sides, VeganSeptember 10, 2020September 15, 2020 Sinmi

Yes, I know that Labor Day has gone by and the world seems to be abandoning summer for fall. But, now is the perfect time to make this slow-roasted tomato. At the end of summer, tomatoes reach their peak sweetness. The vines become heavy, the store shelves become full of vibrant tomatoes and the prices go down. So, now is the best time to buy a bunch of tomatoes and slow-roast them for the fall at least.

Pasta in Jammy Tomato Sauce

Cooking, Food, Pasta, Sauces, VeganApril 25, 2020August 11, 2020 Sinmi

Making pasta in tomato sauce is almost as old as time. Nothing special really. So why then would I be so excited about publishing a pasta in jammy tomato sauce? Well, the answer to the question is quite obvious once you make it and try this dish yourself.

Shrimp in Lemon Butter Sauce

Cooking, SeafoodMarch 16, 2020August 25, 2020 Sinmi

Like half of the world, at this point, I am currently under self-isolation to help control the spread of Coronavirus. This shrimp in lemon butter sauce is a key part of my Day 1 survival strategy. It was just the right amount of luxury for a young woman who is currently out of work and trying really hard not to panic.

Spaghetti in Garlic Oil

Cooking, Food, PastaFebruary 13, 2019March 15, 2020 Sinmi

Food is my language. There is no doubt about that in my mind. Those that know me know that this statement to be true. My love of food is not so much about eating as it is feeding. I love feeding those that I value. I continuously find ways to delight people with food. My adventures in cooking for loved ones has led me to one conclusion. This spaghetti in garlic oil embodies my mantra.

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Chili on a Chilly Day

Cooking, FoodJanuary 30, 2019March 12, 2019 Sinmi

The other day, it occurred to me that I have been on social media for about a third of my life. Growing up in Nigeria, I won’t exactly say that I grew up with technology. Technology and the internet was something that slowly drizzled into Nigeria. Moving the US when I was 16, opened my eyes to the internet and social networking online. Even before the days of Facebook, I spent a considerable amount of time online. One of my favorite things to do online is to learn about food. I have always been curious about the way other people eat. Food bloggers have become my demi-gods and I have become the person who falls in love with recipes. This Chipotle Chili from Gaby of What’s Gaby Cooking is one of my new loves.

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Takeout Wings

Chicken, Cooking, FoodJanuary 27, 2019August 14, 2019 Sinmi

Fried Salt and Pepper Chicken WIngs in a bowl, dusted with specks of sesame seeds and spring onions. I have a half eaten wings between my fingers

I don’t know much about American football. As a Nigerian-American woman, I grew up watching soccer in Lagos. I have vivid memories, from my childhood, of watching the World Cup games between the Super Eagles and other national teams. Now that I live in the land of the New England Patriots, during one of the winningest seasons, I find myself interested in the results. As has mostly been the case in the past six years I have lived in the Boston area; the Patriots are going to the Superbowl. As the fans send off the team, I am dreaming of chicken wings for Super Bowl Sunday. First up are these Salt and Pepper Chicken wings.

Second confession: I am a chicken wings connoisseur. Chicken wings always have a presence in the my freezer stash. I just find them so easy to cook. Baking wings at high heat in an oven and coating with sauce is a favorite cooking method. I can braise them quickly in a shallow pan to make a broth for instant noodles. The Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings are deep fried before being coated in an intense coat of sauce.

Fried Salt and Pepper Chicken WIngs in a bowl, dusted with specks of sesame seeds and spring onions

I knew I had to write up the recipe for these Salt and Pepper Chicken wings when I finally got my ratios right. It took a while to feel like I had the right balance of ingredients. I actually tested this recipe over three consecutive days. Each time was good until it was irresistible. There is something about cooking with ginger, garlic and soy sauce. The combination makes the space smell like good food is cooking. This trifecta add so much umami to this chicken.

It is my sincerest hope that you have an opportunity to try the recipe for Salt and Pepper chicken wings. The one thing I can tell you about making this chicken wings is that it is essential to have everything ready before you start cooking. The process goes by so quickly. The resulting wings are worth the effort.

Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings

Sinmi

The Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings is a homage to Chinese takeout menu. I wanted a taste that might not be authentic but reminds me of my favorite Chinese buffet experience. The wings do exactly that.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 25

Total Time 40

Course Appetizer, Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American

Ingredients

3 Chicken Wings Party Style
12 Sprigs Spring Onions
8 cloves Garlic use less if you prefer
2 tbsp Grated Fresh Ginger
4 tbsp Sesame Oil
2 tbsp Chili Flakes
3 tbsp Freshly Milled Black Pepper
1/4 Cup Soy Sauce
Gomasio or Everything But Bagel Seasoning optional
3 Cups Vegetable Oil
Salt

Instructions

Pat the chicken wings completely dry before salting the skin generously.
Chop the garlic cloves into fine bits. Slice the spring onions, separating the greens from the white ends.
A saucepan, with deep side, heat up the vegetable oil on medium heat. Test out the temperature of the oil by testing with a thermometer to see if it is 375F. Or sprinkle some flour and see if it sizzles.
Once the oil is hot, start frying the chicken wings. Do not crowd the pot. Frying the chicken takes about 10-15 minutes. I like to turn my wings a couple of times to get a deep golden brown color on them.
When pulling wings out of the oil, don’t place on paper towel. Gently place on a plate.
While the last batch of chicken fries, start making the sauce to coat wings in another saucepan. Add in the sesame oil first. Follow with the garlic and ginger after a couple of minutes. Once garlic and ginger become fragrant, add in the white part of the spring onions.
A minute after the spring onions are added in, pour in the soy sauce. Let it reduce and become sticky. Add in the chili flakes and black pepper. Stir everything together and wait for the last batch of chicken to finish frying.
Once all the chicken wings are adequately fried, add them into the sauce with the heat still on. Stir it all together to get as much sauce on each chicken wings as possible. Once the sauce coats the chicken wings well, add in the green bits of the spring onions. Toss around for a moment.
Transfer the Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings to a plate. I like to sprinkle mine with either gomasio or everything but bagel seasoning. It adds some more texture and umami with the sesame seed and other spices.

Keyword appetizers, chicken, chicken wings, chili flakes, crystallized ginger, garlic, green onions, soy sauce, wings

A Soup to Soothe the Cold

Cooking, Food, SoupsJanuary 10, 2019March 5, 2019 Sinmi

Carrot Curry Soup with Biscuit and Pesto

My darling Boston has been experiencing a warmer than expected winter, so far. The lack of cold has meant that I have developed a robust appetite for soups as I usually do. This week, we had a bit of a cold snap when the temperature dropped into the teens from the mid-30s. It was a wonderful opportunity to make this carrot curry soup.

The truth is that I don’t know if I really like carrots. I am a bit of a picky eater. There are certain foods I only tolerate in specific preparations. Carrots are one of those. I can only seem to eat my carrots in soup form. Any other preparation and I am not likely going to be a fan. Although, there are a few salad options I have tried and liked.

I, overwhelmingly, prefer to taste the full range of flavors on my vegetables. One of the things that draws me to this Carrot Curry Soup is how insanely robust and flavorful it is. There is no hiding from the carrot in this soup. The roasting of the carrot to get that caramelization completely changes the way it presents itself in the soup. The carrot suddenly has both a sweet and salty taste on the tongue. This is one of my favorite things about this soup

As the name Carrot Curry Soup suggests, the curry paste is an important part of this production. Finding a good red curry paste makes a difference in this soup. I usually buy a popular brand that I have used and liked for years. Toasting the curry paste a bit before cooking is something I learned from reading South East Asian recipes. It gives the curry a chance to develop a heavenly fragrance while waking up dormant oils.

There is a bit of a choose your adventure to making soup. You can make it as thick or as thin as you desire. I personally prefer this carrot curry soup so thick it feels like a mousse. The feel of air on the tongue is one that makes quite a difference when eating this.

I have served this carrot curry soup with an insanely flavorful Walnut Cilantro pesto sauce that is still in testing. Hopefully, I can get that recipe out to you soon.

Please try the recipe and let me know what you think.

Carrot Curry Soup

Sinmi

Delightful use of carrot and red curry paste to create a warming winter soup.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 40

Total Time 55

Course Main Course, Soup

Servings 4

Ingredients

1 pound Carrot peeled and quartered
4 Tbsp Coconut Oil
3 Tbsp Red Curry Paste
13.5 oz Full Fat Coconut Milk this basically one can of coconut milk
3 cloves garlic chopped
2 inches ginger chopped
Salt to taste

Instructions

The first step is roasting the carrots. Put the carrots on a baking sheet, add in two tablespoons of coconut oil and some salt. Mix it so that everything is well coated. Place in an oven that has been preheated to 400F. Roast for 25 minutes or until carrots is well browned.
In a medium-sized pot, heat up the leftover coconut oil. Add in the chopped garlic and ginger. Sauteed at medium heat for about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the red pepper paste. Keep stirring and heating until the paste mixture is fragrant.
Pour the coconut milk as well as 2-3 cups of water. Stir until the paste is well dissolved into the liquid. Add in the roasted carrots. Let it boil at medium heat for about 10-15 minutes.
Let soup cool down a bit before attempting to blend, for safety reasons. Once it is cool enough to handle, blend soup until smooth. This can easily be done in a food processor or blender.