Hangouts with Mai Koose; The Food Hut Pict-ionary: 'K' is for Koose

To this I can totally relate. Whilst studying in Zaria, northern Nigeria, the Mai Koose or Mai Shai joint was a regular feature in the social life of most students.

It is comparable to an English man stopping over at the 'Fish and Chips' joint and sitting down to the savour the nice hot meal with a sprinkling of vinegar and or salt, whilst eating it straight from the paper.

Back to Koose. It is commonly made from blended black eyed beans and served as a fritter. Mai Shai, (i.e. The local Tea Man), serves it up hot into paper and 'yaji' if required. Yaji, is a nutty blend of spices that can be dipped into while eating and can be extremely hot!🔥. For those who want a may more filling meal, fried yam (doya) is never far. Mai Shai also serves up fried egg and bread and tea on demand.

So, you can imagine Student life, when sometimes on a reading break or on your way back to the hostel and no cooking plans. Mai Shai always comes in handy and for the typical young African, a spicy snack always goes down better than a sweet treat. Koose has long been a valuable stop gap snack. 

I can recall, often, friends using the time to catch up with others while waiting for their order to come off the fryer. If Mai Koose, has tables, even better. You buy a cold bottled drink and chat with your friends via the light of Mai Koose's stick fire and watch the world go by. A little respite, chill out time and when all is done, you go back to your work.

P.S. some used their Koose as literal 'burgers' between hard dough or sweet bread to go. No time to wait, so  much to catch up with and the need for a filling warm tasty meal is met on the go. 😃. Fast Food 😆

Good job Mai Koose, keep it up. 

Koose is making appearances at some get togethers these days, so remember this blog and have a taste if you have never tried it before. 😊

Till next blog, I remain;

Fally Jay

What do I sell?

Nothing.

'So why are you here then?', you may ask? I am here because I would like to make a living showing off

'What makes you African or Caribbean  (the latter by personal interest)'

'And that, in the way of your unique foods and the cultures behind them'

I also want

to direct people searching, people looking 

for a quick 'home food' fix or for longer term cooking, provision solutions

to your market doorstep.

In short,

 I am here for you

African and Caribbean Foodprenneurs! 

Scratch my back and I can help scratch yours.

Visit our various social media handles to see what we can offer you and I am sure, the more we are together, the merrier and happier we shall all be. 😁

DM us via Facebook or Instagram for coverage of your business or an advert slot in our website www.fallysfoodhut.com. Let's see how we can be of help to each other. 

So take care 😀👍,  till the next blog.

Fally Jay

Yam, has a pride of place in the African Culture.
Apart from being a delicasy provided for guests during important occasions, it also has serious bargaining power.

In times past, especially in West Africa, and closing in on Southern Nigeria, a man's prowess was guaged by the amount of yams he could provide for his family to eat, then to sell, etc etc. Men who excelled in this feat were even given titles in the village comparable to MBEs here and such like, seriously...

My younger brother performed the feat of going for his prized  bride recently. It was no surprise that a good number of yam tubers were part of the dowry...

The entrance of the groom

Yams taking centre place in the dowry items

Oh yes! He got his prize, his precious wife. he is now a married man. Is he a titled man now? Well, his wife should be able to throw more light on that.

'I found her' 😍😍

So, when next you get to try some yam in The UK, know that you are eating precious food from a rich cultural background.

Find an African or Caribbean restaurant, caterer or shop near you and share the experience.

#yamstoryuk
Fally's Food Hut promoting our wholesome African and Caribbean foods and the businesses that can bring them to you
follow us on twitter @fallysfoodhut1 or on this page.
Join the campaign to make our 'Good Food' well known in the Diaspora; what is your story?

Later,

Fally Jay for The Food Hut

Culture Similarities 😊, let's vote or comment

Hi folks,

A bit of reminiscing for me today.

I spent a good part of my younger adult days schooling in Zaria, Northern Nigeria.

Even then, I was intrigued by the different types of lovely fresh grains to be found there. The fat tubers of #yam (😉) and fresh tomatoes etc amazed me as well how available they were, for a very reasonable price.

The average Northerner tends to live simply and without much fuss and so 'then' food was quite cheap too. Altogether, it was 'discovery channel' for me.

One of my 'discoveries' was Kunun gyada made from peanuts and rice,

especially as it reminded me of Rice pudding, which is an English favourite.

Then I recently heard of a Caribbean peanut porridge recipe. 😀

I say, the world definitely goes round in a circle as far as some traditions go.

Well, whichever you choose, they are nice warming meals, just right for breakfast or a cold night in. (Winter is coming too 😓...❄⛄)

Which would you choose, help me out by voting on twitter https://twitter.com/Fallysfoodhut1/status/916654398901768193

Or on my Facebook page @FJafrocaribbeanfoods.

You can even tell us your own twist to any of these recipes too.

Have a lovely blessed weekend 🙏. Bless others, share to those in need and send or say a prayer for those you can't reach today.

Fally Jay for The Food Hut.

All video credits to their original authors as I am simply sharing, thanks.