Welcome to my awesome collection of recipes!
I love to cook! It is one of my many talents other than being an awesome life coach, awesome mediator, and an awesome public speaker (among all of my other awesomeness). Yes, I am an awesome cook with an awesome collection of recipes.
Of course I learned how to cook from my mom. She has always put her foot in every dish she ever made. For as far back as I can remember, we have had friends and extended family flocking to our home on occasions other than holidays just for a taste of this good home-cooking.
I have taken what my mother has taught me in the kitchen and run with it. My family describe me as the "gourmet" chef because I am all about circuses. Presentation of food is highly important to me. I like it to look good, smell good and especially taste good. If the food doesn't captivate the senses, then it isn't worth eating in my opinion.
My love for studying different ethnic groups has also given my cooking a multicultural flair. My meals are as varied as the number of dialects found in Nigeria. I love to mix traditional African-American staples with side dishes from around the globe. You will find French, Italian, Polish, Belizean, Jamaican, Ghanaian, Cambodian, Thai, Japanese, Ethiopian, Chinese, Nigerian, Mexican, Puerto Rican and Filipino influences at my table.
I have had so many people say that I should open a restaurant that I am somewhat considering the thought. In the meantime, I thought it would be nice to provide some of my favorite recipes for you to enjoy at home. I will be updating this lens regularly as I create more delectable delights for you to cook up in your own kitchen.
So, here they are! These are my home-made specially generated recipes that I have been cooking up in my kitchen for years. Sometimes I just make it up as I go along (signature of a good cook) when I'm feeling adventurous. Each of the recipes includes pictures and don't forget to check out the resource box at the bottom of each one. You will also find cooking techniques and culinary basics on this lens.
Of course, as a single mother of two (that's my son in the pic) running my own home-based business, my budget is quite tight. If you enjoy what you see here on this lens, please help me out by offering a small donation to my future restaurant fund. :) Any amount is very much appreciated! If I end up not going in the restaurant business, at least I can afford a few extra cups of Starbucks coffee!
Of course I learned how to cook from my mom. She has always put her foot in every dish she ever made. For as far back as I can remember, we have had friends and extended family flocking to our home on occasions other than holidays just for a taste of this good home-cooking.
I have taken what my mother has taught me in the kitchen and run with it. My family describe me as the "gourmet" chef because I am all about circuses. Presentation of food is highly important to me. I like it to look good, smell good and especially taste good. If the food doesn't captivate the senses, then it isn't worth eating in my opinion.
My love for studying different ethnic groups has also given my cooking a multicultural flair. My meals are as varied as the number of dialects found in Nigeria. I love to mix traditional African-American staples with side dishes from around the globe. You will find French, Italian, Polish, Belizean, Jamaican, Ghanaian, Cambodian, Thai, Japanese, Ethiopian, Chinese, Nigerian, Mexican, Puerto Rican and Filipino influences at my table.
I have had so many people say that I should open a restaurant that I am somewhat considering the thought. In the meantime, I thought it would be nice to provide some of my favorite recipes for you to enjoy at home. I will be updating this lens regularly as I create more delectable delights for you to cook up in your own kitchen.
So, here they are! These are my home-made specially generated recipes that I have been cooking up in my kitchen for years. Sometimes I just make it up as I go along (signature of a good cook) when I'm feeling adventurous. Each of the recipes includes pictures and don't forget to check out the resource box at the bottom of each one. You will also find cooking techniques and culinary basics on this lens.
Of course, as a single mother of two (that's my son in the pic) running my own home-based business, my budget is quite tight. If you enjoy what you see here on this lens, please help me out by offering a small donation to my future restaurant fund. :) Any amount is very much appreciated! If I end up not going in the restaurant business, at least I can afford a few extra cups of Starbucks coffee!
Follow Me on Twitter
Won't you please be my friend?
Would you like to know what I'm up to? I always post when I've created a new recipe and my other projects in my Twitter updates. Follow me so you can get the latest and greatest business tricks, life tips and culinary delights.
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- Niquenya's 2009 Xmas Wish List http://amzn.com/w/2WTQX1NURCK9D - Ask and ye shall receive, right? LOL! Happy holidays!
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- Check out Groupon's daily deal - huge discounts on the coolest stuff in your city. http://bit.ly/555ddV
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- giving a shout-out to the Frankie & Neffie show for raising the awareness of life coaches. My African-American clientèle just shut up. LOL!
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- @rawdawgbuffalo That is absolutely terrible! LOL!
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Vital Choice Organic Herbs & Spices
Each piquant pinch of our premium Organic Herbs & Spices packs the anti-aging punch of a full serving of vegetables or fruits.
Cooking Techniques & Basics
How to get the job done in the kitchen
For the beginning cook, or even seasoned cooks wanting to add to their techniques, here are a few basics to make your time in the kitchen more efficient.
curated content from YouTube
Cooking Techniques & Basics on Amazon
Need some extra help learning how to make that souffle come out just right? Or how about some time-saving tips in the kitchen? Want to bake like a pro? Or how about some knife tips for easier cutting? Here are my suggested picks to add to your cooking toolkit.
How to Grill: The Complete Illustrated Book of Barbecue Techniques
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Jacques Pépin's Complete Techniques
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Preserving Food without Freezing or Canning: Traditional Techniques Using Salt, Oil, Sugar, Alcohol, Vinegar, Drying, Cold Storage, and Lactic Fermentation
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Julia's Kitchen Wisdom: Essential Techniques and Recipes from a Lifetime of Cooking
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Kitchen Knife Skills: Techniques for Carving, Boning, Slicing, Chopping, Dicing, Mincing, Filleting
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A Word About Oils
The right oil could make all the difference in creating exceptional taste.
Cooking OilsThere are a variety of oils out there to choose from when bringing your meal together. Did you know that choosing just the right oil can make all the difference in flavor? Using the right oils can also save you cash in the long run.
Before choosing your oil, think about its utility. What will you need the oil for? Are you making a stir-fry, creating a salad dressing, mixing up a marinade or deep-frying chicken? Also, think about the ethnic origin of the food you desire to deliver. Make sure that you use the oils native to that country for a true authentic taste. Each type of oil also has its own health benefits or risks so choose wisely.
These are just some of the oils available to consider:
- corn
- vegetable
- canola
- palm
- coconut
- grapeseed
- olive *money-saving tip: only use extra virgin olive oil when your oil doesn't need to be heated*
- sesame
- peanut
- and many more....
Essential Oils
Adding essential oils to your dishes can be the real cat's meow that sends your dishes over the edge in flavor and titillating aromas! Not only do essential oils taste good and smell delightful, you will be gaining a tremendous boost to your health by incorporating them into your diet.
Many essential oils are anti-inflammatories which attack irritation, swelling and redness both inside the body and out (that means better looking skin). Several of the oils have anti-aging qualities and even more build up your immune system, blood and organs. Some of the oils are even fat-blocking and fat-reducing agents which will help you lose weight and maintain the weight loss.
I use a variety of essential oils in my cooking. While these oils shouldn't be heated (heating changes their molecular structure lessening their benefits), essential oils can be great additions to just about any meal. Some oils I use include lemon, peppermint, orange, basil, rosemary, grapefruit and cinnamon.
For more information on essential oils, please check out Young Living Essential Oils
My Two Cents on Herbs & Spices
You can be the doctor!
I tend to be disgusted when I look at most other recipes and find that it calls for a "pinch" of this and a "hint" of that. I'm always flabberghasted and left asking myself "why so little"?
I come from a long line of women who "doctored up" recipes in their own way. Adding more than a pinch here and their own "secret" ingredients to the traditional recipes. This is why you will see that almost all of my recipes call for a full teaspoon, if not more, of whatever herb or spice I am using.
Why skimp on the herbs and spices? Just as essential oils have many benefits in taste, smell and health-promoting qualities, so do herbs and spices. Many of your great-grandparents' home remedies embody herbs and spices. I actually think that's where the phrase "doctoring up a recipe" might come from because the herbs and spices have so many medicinal qualities. For instance, have you ever heard that mustard can settle an upset stomach? This is in fact true but the reason it is true is because mustard contains turmeric. Turmeric is a spice that has anti-inflammatory and nausea-fighting capabilities. Those little red specks in the mustard is the turmeric! I practically dump whole bottles of turmeric in my soups and stews!
Now a word to the wise, not every herb or spice can be utilized in heaping spoonfuls. Some are potent in small quantities such as most peppers with high heat content. And some, like saffron, aren't economical to use in that way. It takes well over 200,000 hand-picked stigma from the saffron crocus flower to produce just one measly pound of this potent natural food coloring.
In short, use your head and your heart to decide just how much of which herbs and spices is best. Once you have developed a nose for your spices, you will find yourself "doctoring up" recipes like a pro.
I come from a long line of women who "doctored up" recipes in their own way. Adding more than a pinch here and their own "secret" ingredients to the traditional recipes. This is why you will see that almost all of my recipes call for a full teaspoon, if not more, of whatever herb or spice I am using.
Why skimp on the herbs and spices? Just as essential oils have many benefits in taste, smell and health-promoting qualities, so do herbs and spices. Many of your great-grandparents' home remedies embody herbs and spices. I actually think that's where the phrase "doctoring up a recipe" might come from because the herbs and spices have so many medicinal qualities. For instance, have you ever heard that mustard can settle an upset stomach? This is in fact true but the reason it is true is because mustard contains turmeric. Turmeric is a spice that has anti-inflammatory and nausea-fighting capabilities. Those little red specks in the mustard is the turmeric! I practically dump whole bottles of turmeric in my soups and stews!
Now a word to the wise, not every herb or spice can be utilized in heaping spoonfuls. Some are potent in small quantities such as most peppers with high heat content. And some, like saffron, aren't economical to use in that way. It takes well over 200,000 hand-picked stigma from the saffron crocus flower to produce just one measly pound of this potent natural food coloring.
In short, use your head and your heart to decide just how much of which herbs and spices is best. Once you have developed a nose for your spices, you will find yourself "doctoring up" recipes like a pro.
Awesome Breakfast Recipes
Start your day with these delicious dishes.
Breakfast is said to be the most important meal of the day. Here you will find some of my favorite meals that get me energized and ready to take on whatever the day may bring.
- Chorizo con Huevos
- This quick-and-easy breakfast is a tradition for Mexican families. Chorizo is widely available in most stores and makes a tasty addition to traditional scrambled eggs.
- No-Lump Cream of Wheat
- Cream of Wheat is a nutritious breakfast cereal enjoyed by kids and adults alike. Cream of Wheat is a simple meal; however, many wanting to enjoy its wholesome goodness will often steer clear of cooking it because, if you're not careful, it can come out quite lumpy.
Here are a few steps you can take to make delicious no-lump Cream of Wheat. This recipe will make a hearty breakfast cereal for two.
Awesome Soup, Stew, Chili & Salad Recipes
Great for lunch, as a dinner side or a light entree.
- Curried Chicken & Quinoa Salad
- Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah)is the seed of a leafy plant easily grown throughout the world in even the roughest soil conditions. This tiny, flat, oval-shaped gem expands three to four times its size when cooked and can be substituted for most any grain.
It is a protein and vitamin rich staple food and an important supplement to many vegetarian diets. This recipe is a variation of the recipe that can be found in The Flexitarian Diet written by associate and friend Dawn Jackson-Blatner. - Chicken & Seafood Gumbo
- Gumbo is a stew-like creation derived from Louisianan Creole tradition. It is a classical merge of ethnicities and urban flavors. Its name actually originates from the African Bantu tribe's word for "okra" which is commonly used to thicken the stock. There are many variations of gumbo. This rich recipe with its delicious blend of herbs and spices is one that has been passed down in my family for generations and is often served during New Year's celebration in lieu of the traditional African-American dish of black-eyed peas.
- Navy Bean & Sausage Chili
- Chili is a spicy stew that can be made with meat (chili con carne) or without (sin carne). There are many variations of this dish throughout the Americas. It is usually prepared with ground beef and some recipes even call for the addition of red kidney beans or corn. Often chili can be found as a cheap meal made with leftovers.
This recipe is my own variation of "white chili" using my favorite spices, navy beans and turkey sausages.
Awesome Entree Recipes
What's for dinner? Try one of these mesmerizing meals.
- Honey Hot Wings
- Honey hot wings are a time-honored favorite in my household. We serve them at nearly every special occasion or family gathering. No matter how many pounds we make, the bowl of honey hot wings seems to always disappear within minutes of being served.
Honey hot wings are my family's version of Buffalo hot wings which are traditionally spiced in a cayenne pepper hot sauce and butter. This recipe leaves out the butter and offers a sweet but tangy and satisfying breaded variant to this popular dish. - Creamy Jalapeno-Lime Chicken
- Summer brings with it a fresher variety of flavors and scents. As people move outdoors to enjoy the sunshine, they seek the tantalizing tastes and intoxicating aromas offered by mesquite wood and charcoal-burning grills.
For those of us living in cities like my hometown of Chicago, sometimes the weather isn't too cooperative with our desire to fire up the barbecue. Don't despair! You can still enjoy some of the magic of summertime with this spicy citrus-infused delight. - Shrimp & Turkey Stir-Fried Rice
- Stir-fries are a quick and easy way to whip up a fresh and healthy meal. You can use a variety of vegetables, meats, herbs and spices to achieve any number of delectable combinations. This easy recipe is something I just made up one evening when I was low on cash and hungry for fried rice. All of the ingredients were already on hand.
- Puerto Rican Rice with Chicken (Arroz con Gandules y Pollo)
- For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated by Puerto Rican culture and the many similarities between it and my own African-American heritage. My next-door neighbor delighted me when she offered to show me how to make Puerto Rican rice. She used pork in her dish but, since I am not a big pork-lover, I changed it up with some chicken and my own variety of seasonings. Here is my version of this popular dish, Arroz Con Gandules y Pollo (Rice with Pigeon Peas & Chicken).
Awesome Dessert Recipes
When your sweet tooth is calling.
Here are some sweet and heavenly desserts to delight your palate.
- How to Make Black-Bottom Banana Bars
- I seem to always be buying bananas with the intention to make smoothies with them or chop them up in my cereal. The problem is that I have so little time during my days that I usually forget about the bananas and go for something that seems a little quicker (i.e. the cereal without the banana or no breakfast at all).
What's worse is that my kids claim that they don't even like bananas. This means that perfectly good bananas lay in the fruit basket getting overripe and turning brown. By the time I get around to even thinking about using them, they are either ripened to a black mush or surrounded by an entourage of fruit flies making them seem less than appetizing.
I have found a solution to the rotting banana fiasco which also seems to thrill my little ones' tummies. This simple recipe calls for extra-ripe bananas (the mushier the better) and a healthy dose of cocoa! - Double Chocolate Cake with Raspberry Sauce
- Everyone who loves chocolate raise your hand! Here is another one of my favorite receipe. SEXY & YUMMY is the best way to describe this delicious combo of cake & sauce. What a great way to start off your Valentine's day, or any Romantic evening with that special someone! This recipe can be prepared in 30-40 minutes.
Awesome Beverage Recipes
Quench your thirsts with these liberating libations.
- Pomegranate Cocktails
- Pomegranate juice packs a powerful punch, providing a healthy dose of vitamin C, vitamin B5, potassium and antioxidants in every sip. According to a recent UCLA study, pomegranate juice topped a list of beverages ranked based on their quantities of disease-fighting antioxidants.
(Happily, red wine was second on the list).
Pomegranate, an ancient fruit rich in history, has received a great deal of attention recently. Gorgeous and tasty, pomegranate juice makes a wonderfully healthy addition to refreshing summer cocktails. Instructions for making 3 delicious and healthy popular pomegranate cocktails follows. There's also a party pleasing pomegranate Margarita recipe included. So enjoy all the health benefits pomegranates have to offer.
Have fun and drink responsibly.
What Other Master Chefs are Saying
Learn from other master chefs who are sharing their culinary skills with others across the web. Learn some handy kitchen techniques and add more recipes to your own collection.
Featured Kitchenware on Amazon
Stock up on all your culinary needs.
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Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless Steel 5-1/2-Quart Multi-Purpose Pot with Glass Cover
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Norpro Stainless-Steel Expandable Vegetable Steamer
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Cuisinart Classic Stockpot
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Ginsu 14-Piece Stainless Knife Set with Block
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I want to hear back from you.
Tell me what you think of this lens and the recipes. Have you tried any here? Let me know how it turned out. Have a recipe request? Tell me about it.
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- Treasures-By-Brenda Treasures-By-Brenda Jul 12, 2009 @ 8:10 am
- Welcome to the Culinary Favorites From A to Z group. Don't forget to come back and add your lens to the link list so that it will appear on the group page!
by coachniquenya
Niquenya D. Fulbright is an executive life coach, mediator, management consultant, author and corporate trainer with over 10 years experience inspirin... (more)
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