Sonoeyes Blog

All my life I've seen in the market place a type of leaf tied and placed in the show glass or table. I have always wondered what that is, until just recently I beam my search light to the market again, investigating all the valuable foodstuffs being sold. Then I discovered Utazi. Gongronema latifolium (Utazi) is a medicinal plant that is beneficial for preventing and treating diseases and ailments. Gongronema latifolium leaf, which can be chewed, infused or used for cooking is mainly used in the Western part of Africa as food and medicine. Pharmacological studies suggests that utazi has analgesic, antimicrobial, antibacterial, anti-ulcer, anti-sickling, anti-oxidant, anti-asthmatic, anti-pyretic, hypoglycaemic and anti-inflammatory properties. Researchers agree that the fundamental ingredients used for medicinal purposes are stored in the various parts of the utazi plant such as; the fruits, seeds, leaves, root and bark. The vital medicinal ingredients store...

Nsala Soup is perfect for winter/cold rainy day because its spicy. It's a quickie on your menu table, you can count on it to save the day when you run out on soup a few days before the big soup day Ingredients Cat Fish: 4 one-inch thick pieces Fresh or dry Utazi Leaves (Gongronema latifolium) Thickener: Raw White Yam / Yam Powder / Potato Puree Habanero peppers Salt (to taste) 1 handful crayfish 1 stock cube (seasoning) 1 Ogiri Okpehe (traditional seasoning) Before you cook Nsala Soup Cut and prepare your catfish. Place in bowl and pour very hot water on the fish. This toughens the skin of the fish so that the pieces do not disintegrate while cooking the soup. Leave for about 2 minutes and wash the fish with cold water. You should also wash off any slimy substance on the outer skin of the fish at this time. Boil a few cubes of raw white yam. When soft, pound with a mortar and pestle till a smooth paste is formed, then set aside. You can substitute white ...

As a boy I was told stories of family abandonment among military men, especially after being transferred to serve in Uyo and Calabar. In 1999, when Nigeria became democratic again. A similar story was almost told among the senators who were doing retreat in calabar, safe that there was protest by senators wives in the hotel where the purported retreat has end more than three months earlier. Well, the story was not widely reported so we'll save it for another day. But, what could make Calabar and Uyo a "destinations of no return"?  Edikang Ikong, a secret weapon for tourism . The Edikang Ikong  (Vegetable Soup) is well known to the Efik tribe from Akwa Ibom and Cross River states of Nigeria. It is no gainsay that the Edikang Ikong soup is very nutritious. Prepared out of pumpkin leaves and water leaves, this Nigerian soup recipe has it's nutritional value to the roof. It is common for Nigerians to request this soup recipe after a bout of illness as it...

Edible starch is a staple food common in Delta region of Nigeria. Usually eaten with such soups as banga and Owoh. It is made from the starch residue collected from cassava, when processing garri (tapioca). Ingredients 1 cup tapioca starch 2 cups water 1 tablespoons palm oil Steps: 1. Place the starch in a non stick frying pan. Add water to it and melt the starch within by kneading it with your hands until it disintegrates and forms part of the liquid. 2. Add the palm oil to the pan. Mix nicely with a wooden spatula, making sure there are no hardened residues underneath. It must be able to flow freely. 3. Set the pan over a medium heat. Cook and stir continuously in one direction. Soon you will see the starch coagulating. Holding the handle, you can tilt and bend the pan as you want while stirring with the spatula. 4. Continue mixing the starch. Flip it over every two minutes until the starch is properly cooked. Then serve with ch...

It is very common to see people who eat in eateries and restaurants order a bottle/can of soda alongside meals. While it's still not clear why this nutritional behavior has been adopted, we can only assume that there's an increase need for quick energy. But have you ever thought for once, what does these sodas contain? A closer look at the container of a very popular soda drink will shock you. PHOSPHORIC ACID! Please note that the ingredient portion of the coke label has been removed from most bottles in the Nigerian market. Phosphoric acid is a common additive in many processed foods. It's also used to add flavor and maintain freshness. Phosphoric acid is a colorless, odorless crystalline liquid. It gives soft drinks a tangy flavor and prevents the growth of mold and bacteria, which can multiply easily in a sugary solution. Phosphoric acid is made from the mineral phosphorus, found naturally in the body. It works with calcium to form strong bones an...

Let’s discuss each type of cooking fat specifically. Coconut Oil Coconut oil is best when you cook on high heat. Over 90% of the fatty acids in it are saturated, hence very resistant to heat. This oil is semi-solid at room temperature and it can last for months and years without going rancid. Coconut oil is particularly rich in a fatty acid called Lauric Acid, which can improve cholesterol and help kill bacteria and other pathogens. The fats in coconut oil can also boost metabolism slightly and confers satisfaction compared to other fats. Fatty Acid Breakdown:  Saturated: 92%.  Monounsaturated: 6%.  Polyunsaturated: 1.6% .  The saturated fats used to be considered unhealthy, but new studies prove that they are totally harmless. Saturated fats are a safe source of energy for humans. Butter Butter was demonized in the past due to its saturated fat content. But real butter is not to be feared. It’s the processed mar...

A prevalent problem facing palm oil consumption in Nigeria is the adulteration of the product. Adulterated palm oil has flooded the market and researchers have associated the product to the rising cases of cancers, heart disease and kidney failure. Being one of the basic ingredients in traditional diets, from porridge to stew. It is in high demand and often adulterated. The business is booming but the health implications in its wake calls for action. It is feared that adulterated palm oil has contributed to the rising cases of cancer, kidney and other organs damage, heart disease and sudden deaths in Nigeria according to natural health online. It has been shown that palm oil obtained from the fruit of the oil palm tree (Elaies guineensis) is the most widely produced edible vegetable oil in the world today. It is an everyday cooking ingredient in the tropical belt of Africa, South East Asia and parts of Brazil. Several studies have shown that in a bid to make more profits ...

Red palm oil is one of the latest tropical oils to hit the health food scene as many people are reaching for healthier fats to use in exchange for traditional cooking oils and shortenings. Research studies are now finding that many of the staple oils and fats that have been used for decades, like refined and processed vegetable oils and margarines, are not the best to consume if achieving optimal health is your goal.  Changing the oils in your diet can be a critical starting point to taking your physical and mental state to higher levels. Many of these conventionally used bad fats and trans fats can have detrimental effects on our liver, brain functions and are found to be damaging to our overall health. Fortunately, there are far better alternatives these days and the oil from the red palm fruit is one of them. Saturated fats are, hands down, the best oils to use when sautéing or pan frying your foods. Our two top favorites for this are coconut oil and red palm...