Jnr. Chefs Izay & Izo

Gotta love this guys.. Enjoy.

http://youtu.be/atfYKulQk8E

A simple homemade dinner

From Essie's kitchen  to yours.. Steamed Grilled Chicken Breast, steamed Brocolli and Oven Roasted  Potatoes.

All made in under 45 minutes. 

ChefElegant

Dinner is served!

Dinner is served!

Fondant & Fruitcake from scratch

26 Laws of the Kitchen

 - My KNIVES are my KNIVES – HANDS OFF! 
If you are looking for a sure-fire way to bring a cook to insanity – try picking up his or her knives to use without asking.

2 -NEVER, EVER, PUT DIRTY KNIVES in the SINK and WALK AWAY.

3 - DON’T be LATE- On TIME is at LEAST 15 MINUTES EARLY.

4 - MAKE SURE that your MISE is ALWAYS TIGHT.
When mise en place starts to fall apart for one cook so goes the rest of the line.

5 - KEEP your HANDS off my MISE EN PLACE.

6 - I MAY YELL AT TIMES TO GET A POINT ACROSS – DON’T TAKE IT PERSONALLY. 
Some may view this as the creation of a hostile work environment and it can certainly be seen as just that, but when used sparingly it can be effective.

7 - BEND your KNEES DAMMIT! 
The majority of kitchen injuries happen because an employee lifted, reached, or turned incorrectly.

8 - WORK CLEAN – ALWAYS!

9 - KNOCK FIRST – WHEN LEAVING the WALK-IN and ALWAYS ASSUME that SOMEONE is on the OTHER SIDE.

10 - Say “BEHIND” WHEN you ARE. 
When walking behind a person in the kitchen, coming up to a corner, or entering into a room or cooler – always announce your presence.

11 - SWEAT the DETAILS – It’s ALL in the DETAILS.

12 - NEVER SACRIFICE QUALITY for SPEED, NEVER SACRIFICE SPEED for QUALITY, be PREPARED for BOTH.

13 - HOT PANS and WET SIDE TOWELS DON’T MIX.

14 - ALWAYS TAKE CARE of the DISHWASHERS.

15 - KEEP VENDORS HONEST – CHECK PRODUCT when it ARRIVES.

16 - You START it – You OWN it. 
Put a pan on the stove, turn on the flame, add a bit of oil, and walk away assuming that someone else will keep an eye on it for you? I think not.

17 -   A HANGOVER is not an EXCUSE.

18 - No GLASS in the KITCHEN. 
Glass and food do not mix. Use disposables or plastic for your water, if you see a cook using glass – address it immediately, and if anyone ever uses a glass to scoop ice out of the ice machine – show them the door. A broken glass in an ice machine is one of the restaurant’s worst nightmares (next to a fire, sewer problem, or fire suppression activation).

19 -   ROTATE – LABEL and DATE – No EXCEPTIONS, No EXCUSES.

20 - DON’T ASK ME to TASTE if you HAVEN’T FIRST DONE so YOURSELF.

21 - Put EVERYTHING BACK WHERE it BELONGS.

22 - DON’T OPEN ANOTHER CONTAINER of SPICES BEFORE CHECKING for any OPEN ONES in USE.

23 - CLEAN UP YOUR OWN SPILLS – IMMEDIATELY.

24 - In THE HEAT of SERVICE- ALL for ONE and ONE for ALL.

25 -    STAY HYDRATED.

26 - STAY PROFESSIONAL – DON’T be an ASS.
There is no room in a professional kitchen for renegades who think that all of this is a joke. This is serious business and your cooperation is essential. If you want to be a rebel and come across as an ass then I would encourage you to look for work elsewhere before the crew decides to straighten you out.

By Paul Sorgule 

Mango Lassi

 Ingredients

-1 cup plain yogurt

-1/2 cup Milk

-4teaspoon Sugar to taste

-1 cup mango mango flesh chopped and core removed.

-1/8teaspoon ginger (optional)

-Dash of Fresh green ground cardamom  to garnish (optional)

Combine everything in a blender  except the cardamon and blend until the mixture is velvety. Pour in to glasses and serve. Mango Lassi can be refrigerated up to a day.

Essie's Fresh Homemade Orange Waffles.

Breakfast is served! Fresh homemade Orange waffles from my Kitchen.  

Waffles:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons granulated white sugar

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract

1 cup  milk, at room temperature

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled to room temperature

1/4 cup fresh squeezed orange juice

1tbs orange zest

In a large bowl whisk together the dry ingredients i.e. flour, baking powder, salt, zest and sugar. In another bowl whisk together the wet ingredients i.e.  egg, vanilla extract, orange juice and milk. Add the wet ingredients  to the dry ingredients , along with the melted butter, and stir (or whisk) just until combined.

Preheat your waffle machine. Spoon or pour about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of batter  onto one side of the hot waffle iron. Take the back of a spoon, and smooth out the batter. Close the lid of your waffle machine, turn it  and bake until brown and crisp (about 3-5 minutes). It is best to serve the waffles immediately. 

Garnish with butter and maple syrup or fresh berries, whipped cream, a small scoope of ice cream  or just plain powder sugar. 

Makes about 3 -4 waffles  and Preparation time is 15 minutes. 

Bon Appetite!

ChefEssie Elegant.

Breakfast is served! Fresh Homemade Orange Waffles

Breakfast is served! Fresh homemade Orange waffles from my Kitchen.  

Waffles:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons granulated white sugar

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract

1 cup  milk, at room temperature

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled to room temperature

1/4 cup fresh squeezed orange juice

1tbs orange zest

In a large bowl whisk together the dry ingredients i.e. flour, baking powder, salt, zest and sugar. In another bowl whisk together the wet ingredients i.e.  egg, vanilla extract, orange juice and milk. Add the wet ingredients  to the dry ingredients , along with the melted butter, and stir (or whisk) just until combined.

Preheat your waffle machine. Spoon or pour about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of batter  onto one side of the hot waffle iron. Take the back of a spoon, and smooth out the batter. Close the lid of your waffle machine, turn it  and bake until brown and crisp (about 3-5 minutes). It is best to serve the waffles immediately. 

Garnish with butter and maple syrup or fresh berries, whipped cream, a small scoope of ice cream  or just plain powder sugar. 

Makes about 3 -4 waffles  and Preparation time is 15 minutes. 

Bon Appetite!

ChefEssie Elegant.

Happy Birthday Darling!

There's almost nothing more better in life than being married to your friend. I know because you're my best friend and husband at the same time.  So thankful to the Lord for you.  You are truly a man who loves the Lord and desires to do all things to please Him. I love you , honor you and respect you.  May I do you good and not harm all the days of your life and always offer you my best in everything.  Happy birthday bae!!

Life is fragile, handle it with gratitude.

The best response to losses or thwarted hopes is praise. Remember  that ALL good things: your possessions, your family and friends,  your health and abilities, your time, are God-given gifts. Instead of feeling entitled to all these blessings, respond to them with gratitude.

Be prepared to let go of anything he takes from us, but never let go of His hand!

The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord!

-Sarah young.

Lord help me to realize there's nothing I have  that you've not given to me. It all belongs to you! Thanks for all you've entrusted me  with from processions, my own life to the  precious people you've brought in to my life.

If I have to boast of anything I will boast in nothing but you my  Lord! 1 Cor. 1:31

 Today I will value and appreciate life, family, friends, and all other possessions you've given me. 

IJN- Amen!

Glory to God in the Highest

Does God still Speak to us?

🎶🎵🎶🎸🎷🎤I will praise the Lord with all my heart, soul and mind. I will sing to him a thank you song for what he has done for us. 🎶🎶🎹  

Friends near & far   you are priceless! we value you! Thanks for standing with us. Our princess arrived safely and we are truly humbled and honored to be her parents! She's everything (and more than) we had asked God for.

Daniel (my husband) had never held a new born before, he used to say they freak him out. Now I cannot get the baby off his hands.

Before I knew about her,  God allowed  Daniel to see her face as it is today in a dream and yesterday he confirmed our baby is the same exact face he saw in the dream.

Exactly 9 months ago even before I knew of my pregnancy, God in his own unique way showed Daniel a vision. On  one clear Monday morning at his work parking lot  God allowed Daniel to see rainbow and gave him him a message that he's making a new covenant with him, and blessing us with a child.

To date I remember that Monday very well because Dee called me short of breath and sounding terrified and asked me to go get tested. I laughed  to myself like Sarah Abraham(Gen. 18:12) and boy was is sure nothing as such  was going on.Daniel insisted I take the test  which I did and sure enough I was expectant! 

 

Ever wondered if God speaks? Here is one practical example out of many dreams and visions we've had. God giving us more time we will share. 

Please celebrate with us this  Child God  has made us stewards of. 

 I'll edit my typos later when I've recovered fully😊

Thankfully,

Essie Daniel

Don't give up, purpose to finish strong

It was that kind of a day, one of my complete cakes hit the floor yikes!  Hehehe... and that 3 second rule does NOT apply when it comes to cake falls. Nine months Pregnant and due any moment, I would have easily given up and given my client a good excuse but I was determined that nothing was going to stop  me. Luckily  I had made extra 3 cakes(for no reason) thank God I didn't have to start baking all over again. I was able to continue with my cake decorating without any more glitches. Attached below please see the end result of the cake:-) 

This right here is an example of what happens in our lives... We all at some point  in our lives fall and hit rock bottom, give up and stay  in mud.

Staying on the ground/mud  and feeling sorry for yourself really doesn't  help, wake up, clean up  learn from your mistakes and move on. 

When down  there you see better and it's one of the times one can make very sound  decisions  including  how not to fall in the same ditch for the second time. Been there, experienced that and today I thank God for I am a stronger lady! That verse in James 1:2-4 that we ought to rejoice  when faced by trials of many kinds didn't    make sense then. Today looking back I'm thankful that God allowed me to experience  EVERY one of those tough moments. Truly they've shaped me and helped me  be a better lady. 

Many more trials are coming(no one is promised a smooth life) my prayer is that  I will rejoice  in them all and  remember that God will give me strength to courageously face them for I know who I've believed, and I'm convinced that he is able to guard that I've  entrusted to him.."  

2 Tim 1:12 

Blessed Sunday my friends  and a victorious week ahead.

Thankfully,

Essie (ChefElegant)

Breakfast Bread

Some  like a simple super loaf with their  tea/ coffee while others like a variety of bread and pastries to chose from. I personally care less for breakfast but with company I sure do appreciate sweet and healthy pastries served with tea.  Today I made 3 kinds of delicious  breads from scratch. I wish you can sample a slice of every bread we made today to just to prove how simple,  delish  and healthy they are but ofcourse it's not practical. Below we've provided a demo video for you to try out at home. I'm sure you'll love it. Don't forget to give us your feedback. Enjoy the videos below.  My apologies in advance for not stitching the video together. Attached please find parts 1, 2 and 3.   Thanks.

Part 1 http://youtu.be/sbsHLtMmzIE

Part 2 http://youtu.be/MpYwpanKIxk

Part 3 http://youtu.be/w1u0iKniyEE

Enriched Ugali Recipe

Enriched Ugali Recipe
(first picture below)
Ingredients
3 cups finely ground cornmeal
1/4 Cup Ground flax seeds
1/4 cup wheat Germ
1/2 Cup  finger Millet
1 Tsp butter/margarine
8 cups  water or  (7c water & 1c Milk)

Directions

~~~~~~~~

1. Heat water to boiling in a saucepan.
2. Bring  water & milk  to boiling
3. Add a Teaspoon of Butter/ margarine. 

1.  Slowly pour the corn flour into boiling water. Add all other dry ingredients at this point. Avoid forming lumps by whisking with a whisk or just stir continuously using a sodden stick and mash any lumps that do form. Add more corn flour until it is the right consistency  (slightly thicker than mashed potatoes)

1. Cook for 3- 5 minutes, continue to stir.  For most people at this point we like to  over turn it on to a clean plate,Cover and keep warm.
2. I prefer to do more to make it more presentable.. I use 3.5' or smaller ramekin dishes, spray with butter and scoop the Ugali in using a wooden spoon so that it takes the shape  to the ramekin dish. Then I overturn the ramekin dish on to a plate and garnish with a sliced or 2  of cherry tomato and a small spring of cilantro. If using your hands to mold the Ugali in to a different shape be sure to use food service gloves.
3. Serve immediately with any meat stew or steamed/fried vegetable or sweetened maziwa lala(sour milk)

Discouraging moments

We face all discouraging moments  in our lives, sometimes very often and from people who are near and dear to our lives.  If it were to show in our lives some of us are really heavy laden with past hurts and new hurts. How do we deal with that negative energy that cause  discouraged and hurt?

Personally in most times I start by praying over the matter and as God is handling the situation  I choose to keep my thoughts on things that make me happy and raise my spirit. For me cooking, desining and home keeping does it for me! Sometimes even just spending time looking at pictures of my work raise my spirit. The more we dwell on past hurts and discouragements the more they eat us inwardly and make us unwell. We clutter our mind with unnecessary thoughts and emotions that we keep replaying over and over again instead of allowing fresh ideas and good thoughts to be born in us. Purpose with me today to forgive those who hurt us, let go as soon as possible and confront what we need to as soon as possible to restore our peace. 

I'm allowing God to use my thoughts today to do what he wants to thru me. Worrying  over stuff I've prayed and assigned to Him shall not be my portion.

Enjoy the new day, tomorrow is not promised!!

Outdoor events

I love to cook and bake as many of you know. My teacher always said we eat with our eyes first. Think about it, you got to see it to smell it, feel its texture and even taste it! Food presentation is key! You can make  a very delicious meal and miss the mark if it's not well presented. On the contrary you can neatly present a very simple dish and 2-3 weeks later your guests are still talking about your elegant dinner:-)  have an elegant day.

It was a productive Day!