by Aisha Zakari | May 29, 2022 | Food & Kitchen
Sponge cake (or yellow cake) is a soft, spongy, and delicious cake with a brownish outer surface and a whitish inner surface. This is made with lots of eggs, sugar, and flour, and I’ll be walking you through the sponge cake recipe.
Equipment for Making Sponge Cake
Ingredients for Making Sponge Cake
1 cup of flour
3 tablespoons of milk (optional)
3 tablespoons of oil
4 eggs
¼ cup of sugar
¼ cup of butter
½ tablespoon of vanilla essence
Procedures for Preparation of Sponge Cake
STEP 1: Crack your eggs and separate the yolks from the whites in different bowls.
STEP 2: Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350F.
STEP 3: In your bowl of yolks, give this a whisk and add milk, oil, and vanilla essence.
STEP 4: Gradually sift the flour into the bowl and give it a stir. Mix until well incorporated and set this aside.
STEP 5: In the bowl of whites, using a hand mixer, beat for 20 minutes from medium to high until it begins to foam.
STEP 6: Add in sugar and continue beating till stiff peaks. Here, you see the egg whites looking thick, creamy, and white.
STEP 7: Now add this to the bowl of yolks. Fold it in and mix.
STEP 8: Get the clean baking pan. It’s time to bake this sponge cake recipe.
STEP 9: Grease the pan with butter and add parchment paper to the sides and bottom of the pan. You may also dust with flour after greasing.
STEP 10: Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Do not fill to the brim to avoid pouring while baking.
STEP 11: Bake for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the middle of the pan. Do not open the oven while baking.
STEP 12: Remove from the oven using a hand glove or mittens.
STEP 13: Allow it to cool for 5–10 minutes or place it on a rack for easy air ventilation.
STEP 14: Enjoy!
Recipes that Best Goes with It
Sponge cake goes with ice cream, milkshakes, and, of course, soft drinks like Coca-Cola, etc.
How to Serve Sponge Cakes
Sponge cake should be served to friends, loved ones, and family immediately as it cools off. You can also enjoy sponge cakes with these 3 different ways of making chocolate sauce.
Occasion to Serve Sponge Cakes Best
This delicious sponge cake recipe can be served any day, anytime, and anywhere. It could serve as a lunch box for kids, birthday parties, or after-party snacks.
Nutritional Value of Sponge Cakes
This snack is packed with benefits such as low calories when eaten, a good source of energy, and, of course, the unique flavors in your kitchen.
How to Store Sponge Cake
Store in the freezer for 2–3 days. I suggest you wrap before storing and also consume within a day. Enjoy!
Conclusion
Are you in the kitchen already? Whisk up this recipe and tell us how you made this soft, fluffy, spongy, and delicious sponge cake recipe. Be sure to let us know when you do in the comment section.
FAQs
Can I use butter or margarine for my sponge cake?
With margarine, you get a softer and more fluffy texture in cakes than with butter. Butter has a great taste and smell but it makes cake dense and dries out the moisture. Margarine should be your go-to when making this sponge cake.
What is the difference between regular cake and sponge cake?
A very good difference between regular cake and sponge cake is that the latter is made with lots of eggs, while the former contains baking powder or baking soda.
What is the difference between butter cake and sponge cake?
Butter cake relies on butter or margarine and some leavening agents such as baking powder and baking soda, whereas sponge cake relies on the beaten eggs and air that gets into it.
What are the four types of sponge cakes?
These are Swiss roll sponge, Devil’s Food Cake, Forrest sponge cake, Angel Food Cake, and many other types of sponge cakes.
What is the secret to sponge cake?
The secret to sponge cake is in its texture, the eggs, and the absence of leavening agents like baking soda and baking powder. In sponge cake, the leavening agents are in the eggs and the air is gotten from beating them using the mixer. Sponge cakes are soft, light, fluffy, and airy, and this is a result of beating egg whites.
by Fatima Sani | Mar 27, 2022 | Local Delicacies
Kwadon Kanzo is yet another Northern Nigerian delicacy consumed primarily by the Hausas and Fulanis. The recipe is enjoyed by many, young and old, poor, average, and even some wealthy families. This article seeks to teach you how to prepare the Kwadon Kanzo recipe. Stay with me. But first, what is this ‘Kanzo’?
Kanzo is a burnt part of the Tuwo (that of shinkafa, masara, dawa, alkama, and the like) meal. It is obtained by allowing the bottom of the pot to cook until it forms a dry crust called Kanzo.
Let’s dive into it!
Equipment for Making Kwadon Kanzo
Ingredients
5 cups of Kanzo (burnt part of Tuwo)
Tomatoes, peppers, and onions.
1½ cups of groundnut cake (Kuli-Kuli)
Seasonings and salt to taste
¼ cup of fried vegetable oil
Cucumber (optional)
Procedure for Preparing Kwadon Kanzo Recipe
STEP 1: Get a clean mortar (turmi) and pestle (tabarya), put the kanzo, and grind it into small pieces. Then;
STEP 2: Put it in a clean bowl and add water to it. Allow soaking for 5 to 10 minutes, depending on how hard the kanzo or crust is.
STEP 3: Strain the Kanzo in a strainer (matsami or rariya) to drain off the water completely. Then;
STEP 4: Grind the Kuli-Kuli (groundnut cake), cut the tomatoes, cucumber (optional), and pepper, and set them aside.
STEP 5: Now, in a mixing bowl, add the content in STEP 4, fried groundnut oil, seasonings, and a pinch of salt. Then;
STEP 6: Mix the content in STEP 5 well until properly combined.
STEP 7: Ladies and gentlemen, your Kwadon Kanzo is ready!
How to Serve Kwadon Kanzo Recipe
Serve it with properly cut or sliced vegetables to make it look very appetizing. You could also add cabbage to the above-listed ingredients if you so wish, to make it taste even better.
Occasions to Serve Kwadon Kanzo Best
It is best consumed as any of the basic meals or as a dessert. This makes it good for consumption at any time. However, it is not advised that you make it for festivals, ceremonies, or the like.
How to Store Kwadon Kanzo Recipe
This delicacy cannot be stored for more than 24 hours. 24 hours could even be too much time. You could try storing it in a refrigerator, but be assured that it won’t taste as good as you would have wanted it.
As a result, it is best to prepare the quantity just enough for consumption at a certain time. If you need more, you could always prepare another one. After all, it is very easy to make.
Nutritional Value of Kwadon Kanzo
We, as humans, need the energy to take care of our daily struggles. As such, we need this northern Nigerian cuisine as it contains a great deal of carbohydrates. This is because all of the vitamins that form the Kanzo used in this delicacy are carbohydrates.
Conclusion
As we have seen above, the Kwadon Kanzo recipe is very easy to make and tastes delicious when properly prepared. You could try it someday for yourself or your family. However, don’t forget to share your experience with us when you do.
If you find this article helpful, please leave a comment in the comments section below as well.
You are always welcome to visit Northpad Nigeria for more local Northern Nigerian delicacies.
You may also be interested in knowing how to make French Toast Recipe, Baked Salmon Loaf recipe, How to Make Nigerian Abacha Food, and Delicious Fish Mayonnaise Recipe.
by Angela Bala | Mar 13, 2022 | Food & Kitchen
Irish potatoes (white potatoes) are a common food in many parts of the world. They are one of the most consumed and enjoyed vegetables worldwide, as they are very easy to prepare and pleasing to the eyes and stomach. Due to the versatility of Irish potatoes, they have become a primary ingredient in all types of cuisine, as they can easily be fried, boiled, mashed, baked, or cooked as porridge. It also serves as a complement to different dishes, and new recipes can be created from them, like our delicious Irish potato porridge recipe for today.
Irish potato porridge, also known as white potato porridge, is a simple and fast meal to prepare, just like sweet potato porridge and yam porridge. It is not only super mouth-watery but also naturally packaged with medicinal benefits. Interested? Let me guide you through.
Equipment for Making Irish Potato Porridge
Ingredients for Making Irish Potato Porridge
To begin with, for this easy Irish potato recipe, we need:
Irish Potatoes
Vegetable oil or Palm oil
Onion
Red and Green Bell peppers (tatta sai)
Chilies (shombo)
Habanero Pepper(atarugu)
Seasoning cubes
Salt (to taste)
Carrots (optional)
Garlic
Ginger
Curry
Scent leaves (efirin)
Fresh Pumpkin leaves (Ugu) or Spinach (Alayaahu)
Water
Stock (chicken meat or fish)—optional
Procedures for Preparing Irish Potato Porridge
The preparation of some Irish potato porridge is somewhat similar to that of yam and sweet potato porridge. However, I really love to get creative and spice things up a bit. So, if you’re curious about this special and easy recipe, keep reading!
STEP 1: Wash and season beef, chicken, or fish with enough garlic, ginger, curry, thyme, and seasoning cubes to your own taste (for this Irish potato porridge recipe, I will be using beef). Cook till almost tender.
STEP 2: Separate the beef from the stock once it is cooked and cut the beef into bits. Set aside.
STEP 3: Add a little water to the meat stock in order to have enough stock for the potato porridge and boil.
STEP 4: Peel the potatoes, wash them, and cut them into medium sizes. Stir in potatoes to the already boiling beef stock and cook for at least 5 minutes to absorb the flavor.
STEP 5: Taste for salt and add seasoning cubes if necessary. (It is necessary to cut down on salt since the beef stock is already well seasoned.)
STEP 6: Add in oil of choice (preferably vegetable oil), chopped bell peppers, chilies, and onions. Add beef bits as well, and leave the mixture on fire to cook on high heat till it becomes very soft.
NB: Unlike yam and sweet potato, Irish potato is waxy in nature. It does not have a high starch content as it still holds its form even after cooking, which is why it is less likely to be mashed and to take on a thick form on its own. So you can decide to remove and mash some of your potatoes and add them back to help thicken the porridge if you think it’s too watery.
STEP 7: While the porridge is still cooking, wash and cut the leaves and carrots.
STEP 8: Remove the lid and stir the potato porridge well, then add the carrots, pumpkin leaves, and scent leaves. Reduce heat and leave to simmer for about 3 minutes.
STEP 9: Put off the heat and serve steaming hot.
How to Serve Irish Potato Porridge
This Irish potato porridge can be served as a main dish or as a side dish; whichever way, it still tastes great. It can absolutely be enjoyed with bread or any desired pastry, and beverages of any kind, like zobo, are also welcome to complement this yummy dish.
Occasions Best to Serve Irish Potato Porridge
The serving of Irish potato porridge is up to you! It can be served for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, whichever way you prefer, and on any occasion. Serve this at any event, and I bet your guests will come asking for more.
How Irish Potato Porridge is Stored
Leftover Irish potato porridge should always be stored in the refrigerator to prevent it from being stale and to ensure proper preservation.
Nutritional Benefits of Irish Potato Porridge Recipe
Studies on Irish potatoes have shown that they have a higher level of dietary fibre and carbohydrate which improves digestion, optimizes body function, and regularizes bowel movements. The vitamin C content in Irish potatoes prevents scurvy and also serves as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent that repairs damaged cells within the body. also supports the immune system and gives relief to any form of inflammation, such as arthritis.
Consuming potatoes will give a good source of potassium to the body which is capable of lowering blood pressure and preventing heart attacks, it also works to reduce cramps, therefore, proving Irish potato porridge is a nutritious and medical dish.
Are there more benefits to eating Irish potato porridge? Oh yes! The dietary fiber and carbohydrates present in the potatoes help with both weight loss and weight gain, which lots of people work hard towards achieving. The nutrients obtained from eating a potato dish also help the skin regenerate and maintain healthy skin.
Is that all? Oh no! Because of the other ingredients present in the dish, it is loaded with carbohydrates, proteins, minerals vitamins, and even fat and oil—these are what I like to call the complete package.
Conclusion
And it’s a wrap for this luscious Irish potato recipe my dear comrades! It is indeed very simple, easy to prepare, and has a variety of impressive health benefits. I have no doubt that you can make this Irish potato porridge at home for your family and friends. Please make me proud by sharing their thoughts and yours in the comments section below. Let’s get cooking guys!
by Fatima Sani | Dec 5, 2021 | Local Delicacies
Miyan Kubewa (Okro Soup) is a soup widely consumed in almost all parts of Nigeria, and not only by the Hausas in Northern Nigeria but by other indigenes as well. It is made with fresh okro (originally known as Okra in English). It will interest you to know that there are two (2) different recipes you could make from okro – Miyan Kubewa Danye (the fresh Okro Soup) and Miyan Kubewa Busashshe (the dried Okro Soup).
Okro soup is a draw soup, so if you are a fan of draw soups, here is another one for you. Well, for me, I prefer the one made from fresh okro to the dried ones. This article seeks to teach you how to prepare your delicious Miyan Kubewa (both fresh and dried). Stay with me!
Equipment for Making Miyan Kubewa
Cooking pot
Kitchen knife
Bowl
Wooden spoon
Whisk
How to Make Miyan Kubewa Danye (Fresh Okro Soup)
Ingredients
You will need the following ingredients to make your Miyan Kubewa Danye.
Fresh okro.
1 cup of palm oil/vegetable oil.
3 spoons of locust beans (grinded daddawa).
Fresh pepper and onions.
Seasoning and spices.
Meat or fish.
A small piece of potash (kanwa).
2 cups water.
Procedure for Preparing Miyan Kubewa Danye
STEP 1: Cut your okro into small pieces using a knife and pound it until it has reached the desired smoothness. Alternatively, you could blend or grate it. When done, set it aside.
STEP 2: Over medium heat, put the pot and add water in the quantity needed together with grinded locust beans. Allow to cook for 25 minutes. Cook till the water reduces.
STEP 3: Add in the blended pepper and onions, and your palm oil/vegetable oil into the cooking pot and allow to simmer for 5 minutes
STEP 4: After all the soup ingredients are fried, add in your fish or meat. Stir a little bit and cover the pot.
STEP 5: Add in the pounded or grated okro and small potash (kanwa). Allow it to cook for 15 minutes. Ensure you are close by because it will pour or spill over as it cooks. So you will have to be stirring with a whisk or cooking spoon continuously.
STEP 6: Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and leave it to simmer for 2 minutes.
STEP 7: Off your cooker and your Miyan Kubewa Danye is done.
How to Make Miyan Kubewa Busashshe (Dried Okro Soup)
Ingredients
You will need the following ingredients to make your Miyan Kubewa Busashshe (Dried Okro Soup).
Dried okro (powdered okro).
Palm oil.
3 spoons of locust beans (grinded or pounded daddawa).
Pepper and onions (blended or pounded).
Spices (maggi, salt, and ginger powder).
A small piece of potash (kanwa).
Chicken or fish.
2 cups of water.
Procedure for Preparing Miyan Kubewa Busashshe
STEP 1: Over low heat, place a pot containing your palm oil and add a few slices of onions. Allow frying for 3 minutes.
STEP 2: Add in the grinded pepper and onions, and allow it to fry for 4 minutes. Stir and put on low heat.
STEP 3: Add clean water to the cooking pot with your chicken or fish, and allow to cook for 35 minutes until the chicken or meat becomes soft and the water reduces to it half its quantity.
STEP 4: Add in the spices (maggi, salt, and ginger powder) and stir the soup with a wooden spoon. Allow boiling for 3 minutes.
STEP 5: Add the okro powder to the cooking pot little by little with a small piece of potash. Use a whisk or a cooking spoon to quickly mix it. This helps prevent lumps.
STEP 6: Cover the pot and leave it to simmer for 5 minutes. Your Miyan Kubewa is done.
Swallow that Best Goes With It
It best eaten with Tuwon Shinkafa and Tuwon Masara.
How to Serve Miyan Kubewa (Fresh Okro and Dried Okro)
It is best served with Tuwon Shinkafa (a meal prepared with rice – short-grained rice). And other kinds of tuwo could go with it as well like Tuwon Masara, Tuwon Semo, Tuwon Dawa, etc.
Occasions to Serve Miyan Kubewa (Fresh Okro and Dried Okro)
There isn’t any special occasion for this sweet delicacy, both the fresh and dried okro soup. It can be consumed as any one of the three (3) basic meals – breakfast (as dumame, popularly known as double fire in Nigeria), lunch, and dinner.
How to Store Okro Soup (Fresh and Dry)
It can be stored in the refrigerator and will last for many days. However, its taste reduces the longer it stays refrigerated. In the absence of a refrigerator, it can last for less than 24 days except when you warm it mornings and evenings, then it will last for a few days.
Health Benefits of Miyan Kubewa (Fresh and Dry)
Okra is low in calories but packed full of nutrients. The vitamin C in okra helps support healthy immune function. Okra is also rich in vitamin K, which helps your body clot blood. It is also good for diabetic patients.
For more information on the nutritional value of Okra (Okro Soup), visit Nourish.
Conclusion
Miyan Kubewa can be enjoyed with any kind of Tuwo that we have. It is tasty and easy to prepare. Now that you know how to prepare okro soup (Miyan Kubewa), tell me in the comments section when you will try this sumptuous northern Nigerian cuisine.
Caution: For all bearded guys, be extra careful while eating this meal if you don’t want your beards to be foody decorated.
If you find this article helpful, please leave a comment in the comments section below. Thank you.
You are always welcome to Northpad Nigeria for more local Northern Nigerian delicacies.
by Fatima Sani | Dec 5, 2021 | Local Delicacies
Gullisuwa recipe known in English language as Milk Balls is a popular snack in Northern Nigeria that is made from milk. As the name implies, they are in the form of small balls. It is very sweet and easy to make. This article seeks to teach you how to make Gullisuwa – this good-looking appetizing northern cuisine.
Equipment for Making Gullisuwa
Bowl
Wooden spatula
Frying pan
Spoon
Sieve
Ingredients
To make this delicacy, you will need the following ingredients:
3 cups of powdered milk
½ cup of sugar
½ teaspoon of vanilla flavor
A little water
Vegetable oil
Procedure for Preparing Gullisuwa
STEP 1: Put the milk in a clean bowl and add sugar.
STEP 2: Mix properly with a wooden spoon. Add vanilla flavour and mix it again.
STEP 3: Add a little and continue mixing until it is properly mixed and forms a dough.
STEP 4: Rub oil on your palms and put the dough and roll it into small balls. Then;
STEP 5: Over medium heat, put a frying pan containing vegetable oil and put the balls into it. Fry until they turn brown.
STEP 6: Use a spoon to get the fried balls into a sieve container and allow them to cool.
STEP 7: Ta-da! Your Gullisuwa is ready.
How to Serve Gullisuwa
Gullisuwa as a northern Nigerian snack is served on plates. It is usually consumed just alone as it does not need other recipes or food to take it with.
Occasions to Serve Gullisuwa
This delicious recipe is sometimes a part of the snacks that are packaged as takeaways and given as souvenirs to people for honoring one’s occasion or ceremony. This is not common though.
How to Store Gullisuwa
If stored in a cool and dry place, it can last for up to two weeks. However, the moments you begin to feel a sour taste in it when you consume it, know that it is spoilt. It’s best to discard it.
Nutritional Value of Gullisuwa
Because of the milk that is contained in Gullisuwa, it provides many of the nutritional elements necessary for the growth and maintenance of the human body in adequate amounts.
Furthermore, the human body needs milk and its properties throughout its life as it is useful for all ages.
Conclusion
The above write-up has shown you how to make Gullisuwa and other important things associated with it. Personally, this recipe is one of my favorite local northern Nigerian snacks. This is because I love milk beyond your imagination. Don’t mind me. Anyways, if you haven’t taken this snack before, you are seriously missing out on its sumptuousness.
If you find this article helpful, please leave a comment in the comments section below. Thank you.
You are always welcome to Northpad Nigeria for more local Northern Nigerian delicacies.
