Beef in vegetables

We always cook meat in stew and it becomes monotonous. There are so many different ways to cook your meat and to increase your appetite. It can be dried, grilled deep fried and cooked in vegetables like what I'm giving you today.

Ingredients

I tablespoon vegetable oil

½ Kg beef

½ a cup water

1 teaspoon salt

2 onions cut into strips

½ teaspoon crushed garlic

1 teaspoon grated ginger

1 carrot cut into big pieces

1 green pepper cut into strips

1 teaspoon coriander

½ a cup French beans

½ teaspoon black pepper

½ teaspoon curry powder

Directions

Cut the beef into small pieces

In a saucepan, add the pieces of beef, the salt and ginger and let it simmer for 20 minutes or till the water dries up.

In another saucepan, heat the oil, add the garlic, stir for 1 minute then add the beef and stir fry for 10 minutes.

Add carrots, French beans, onions and the green pepper, cover and let it simmer for 7 minutes.

Add black pepper, curry powder and water and simmer for 5 minutes then remove pan from the heat and serve with coriander on top.

Serve over rice or chapati.

Tenant with no rent

I'm glad to be a tenant in your heart

Better still a tenant with no rent to pay

“come stay in my heart for free and pay no rent”

Was amazing when they came outa your mouth

Should I jump, should I scream?

Were the questions running through my mind

Won't he think I'm stupid or immature?

The questions took another lap

“I wanna stay there forever”

Were the answers forcing there way outa me

Now I'm in your heart and you are in mine

Let's stay in each others hearts forever.

By Vicky Mwakoyo © 2011

Beans in Milk Sauce

Most of us are used to coconut milk for cooking but what if you don't have it and you really crave for the thick milky taste in your food? No need to worry people, here's a recipe to make your day... And guess what! No heart burn for you. Awesome huh!

 ½ a kilo Fresh beans

1 ½ Cup water

½ Cup milk

1 Big Onion

2 Big Tomato

Dhania/Coriander

½ teaspooon Tumeric

½ teaspoon Curry Powder

½ teaspoon salt

Pepper (Optional)

2 tablespoons Cooking Oil

Procedure

In a pan, bring the beans to boil till soft.

In another sauce pan, fry the onions till translucent. Add the tomatoes, cover and let it simmer for several minutes.

Mash the beans a little bit.

Add the beans without water and let it simmer for a few minutes before adding the salt, turmeric, curry powder, dhania and pepper (optional).

Add on a little water and let simmer.

Then add the milk and keep on stirring till you are sure the milk is cooked and thick enough to your liking.

Serve with rice, Chapati or bread.

By Vicky Mwakoyo © 2010

The Night of a thousand stars and 2 Birds…..

That night…

The night of thousand stars and two lovebirds,

To narrate my heart spurs, though understating’ll be my words.

Can’t start anywhere, than telling of my ultimate love,

I was lucky there, to wed cathy realy fated luck I have,

Beauty, smartness; to be fair, a few of what was endowed from above,

And now that she is solely not for share, I paint her ‘angelic’ and give her “shavu”…

Yes that day glowed, but she glowed better,

The wines, beers and champagne flowed, but she was my movie theatre,

The love seed that long ago we sowed, we at last did fetter,

Happiness, joy and delight we towed, as air of love filled meter by meter…

She was an angel, a grace; if it was a duty I would forever love her,

Lighting the party wit her pretty face, I, her fireman couldn’t be far,

Her beauty which keeps my heart at high a pace, a cost I humbly incur,

That day she was my case, and my love submissions I presented to the bar…

I was happy and flying, coz my princess I just married,

In history books ink was drying, that to Mbiro’s island Kate’s been ferried,

There is no denying, that the day lotsa love feelings it carried,

I’d be lying, if I’d say a helluva insecurity that day wasn’t buried….

I smiled a thousand smiles, and cracked countless laughters,

In heaven d day filled a number of files, cause impressed surely were d lovecrafters,

Friends who went thousand extra miles, to clear our ways and easen the tough ties,

My gratitude is mounting in piles, as my friends became my fear captors….

To shift the attention I must, and acknowledge the wedding function,

With joy I nearly did burst, seeing the party in satisfaction,

Shining friends and family cast, filled the party in every fraction,

Though now it seems a thing of the past, a “thank you” I must sanction….

Everbody looked utterly good, and completed the cycle of stars,

It helped the spirited mood, to see most taking part in dance wars,

I know I loved the food, and wish I had carried some ‘take-away’ jars,

And if the Tux had a hood, could have stuffed some beers to heal the thirst scars….

In short, of the party I loved every bit, and burned everything to the brain,

It was quite a memorable feat, and it came worthy of every past pain,

Though afterwards everyone was beat, none regretted the fun-tain,

My lovely friends again we’ll meet, and my gratitudes will shower you like rain…

You all were amazing, in making the day a success it was,

Till now greener air we’re grazing, coz your graces unemptied the hose,

Our love is everblazing, and as Aretha said “It will always be a rose”,

…. It’s sheerly crazing, that you all gave this marriage a fair life doze…

I must halt and give it a stop, but again a million thanks from Mr&Mrs Mbiro,

A love sea, each of you a worthy drop, to us each our true hero,

Without you it could’ve been a flop, but you made us an “A” instead of a zero,

You elevated us atop, took us to this love farm all harvest still-raw….

We love you a lot, each and every one of you,

Names we can’t sort, but the Lord’s graces I know will get through,

The ball has left our court, and to many has fallen in yours too,

In love we will always stay afloat, and to each other always be true…

You were the thousand stars, us the two birds

You bared us only happy scars, rested us in calming shades,

Be assured this couple always spars, to make sure the love never fades,

Thanks a bunch.

By, Kheri Mbiro.. © 2011, September 20^th.

Plantains Recipe

Snacks are important in between meals or when you have children. Take time to make tasty snacks for your family when you are all at home and just enjoy the moment. I have a tasty snack recipe for you and your family that will fill your family with happiness and make them lick their fingers because of the taste.

Ingredients

Oil for deep frying

5 plantains

3teaspoons grated ginger

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon garam masala(optional)

½ teaspoon black pepper(optional)

Directions

Peel and cut the plantains in slices then put them in a bowl.

Mix the plantains with the salt, ginger, black pepper(optional), garam masala(optional, then let it marinate for 20 minutes.

Heat the oil in a saucepan.

Add a few slices of the plantains in the hot oil and let them fry till they are golden brown.

Remove them and drain them on serviettes.

Repeat this until you finish deep frying all the plantains.

Serve with tea or juice.

By Vicky Mwakoyo © 2010

TAMU CHUNGU

Vilio vyetu sote, wachache wanacheka,

Bahati si nzuri, hakuna wa kusikia,

Vilio na vicheko…vyote ni kelele,

Nani akusikie, au nani akujali?

Kusikia tunasikia pasi na kuelewa,

Kuwahi ni ugonjwa, yetu sifa kuchelewa,

Nani hufurahi, bintiye kuchezewa?

Lakini…

Taifa hili changa, kipi kigumu kupanga?

Utajiri umejaa hauhesabiki kama mchanga,

Tugawane kwa haki jamani bila ncha ya upanga!!

Maji tunayo kwanini tukabwe na karanga?

Nataka mdundiko iweje unipigie charanga?

Hii ni tamu, hii ni chungu,

Shida zimejaa twagawana kwa mafungu,

Tumwage damu, tushike rungu,

Basi chini tunakaa, yote ataamua mungu.

Ndiyo, labda tumwachie mungu aliyetuumba,

Maana ni “genius” yule jamaa aliyetufumba,

Anadai kutusimulia, huku anaongeza sauti ya rhumba,

Si wizi au ubepari, ni nguvu ya maendeleo hii kasumba…

Mchumia juani hulia kivulini,

Ha ha!! Haiingii puani wala akilini,

Kwani vya juani vimekauka, na kivulini wameshajaa,

Kwa subira tumenyauka, ahadi hazijatufaa,

Kama nyani tumepauka, wahanga wa sanaa…

Ndiyo wasanii hawajang’atuka, wamejawa na tamaa..

Utotoni tuliambiwa mkubwa hakosei,

Au ndiyo kusema mchora ramani hapotei?

Sidhani, ni sawa kama alichoahidi hakitokei…

Na hiko “kidogo” upatacho, mbona hatushei?

Watuacha tunakonda, mbeletu wafunga mlango,

Moyoni ni vidonda, watunyima japo robo ya mpango,

Hii ni tamu, hii ni chungu,

Shida zimejaa twagawana kwa mafungu,

Tumwage damu, tushike rungu,

Basi chini tunakaa, yote ataamua mungu.

Kuna maswali mengi najiuliza na roho yangu mkononi…

Hivi ni kweli mbio za sakafuni huishia ukingoni?

Maana sakafuni wanakimbia na bado wana tabasamu midomoni,

Wenzangu na mie, tumesimama tukisubiri mpaka manundu migongoni…

Miye na Juma, upwa tumegaa nao na bado wali mkavu,

Kumbe hata ukiona samaki, kumwokota ni ubavu!!?

Ole wetu serikali ikiweka kodi ya watu na uchakavu!!

Msicheke, maana nyundo hii ni nzito,

Wenzenu tumebeba mibuyu, heri wenu wa fito,

Lakini kumbukeni, dunia mapito…

Kinachouma, nikipata moja mwenye mia tayari kafika,

“Cheza Bahati nasibu” …utabahatika…

Ooh “weka kwenye saccos yangu” utahamasika…

Wiki mbili baadaye kote patashika…

Ofisi ya miaka kumi inapotea kwa dakika…

Sisi wenye moja zetu, nani tumfinye kwa hakika?

Hii ni tamu, hii ni chungu,

Shida zimejaa twagawana kwa mafungu,

Tumwage damu, tushike rungu?

Basi chini tunakaa, yote ataamua mungu.

Maneno hayaniishi, kidooogo nyuma ya machungu,

Kwenye bendera kuna rangi yangu na si ya mzungu,

Lakini kuna sehemu, mwenzangu yeye mungu,

Eti maji ya chupa hayachanganywi na ya chungu!!?

Jibu silijui lakini utaifa mi nnao…

Japo ni haki yangu nashangaa hata kusikika ni kwa mgao,

Sauti zinazibwa, eti “top secret” kila kikao…

Watu wasiulize, wamevuka mipaka ya uhuru wa kujieleza,

Wewe ni nani ambaye hukosei na kuteleza?

Uhuru tunao, wa kusema baada ya kupeleleza,

Tukiomba majibu kwanini tusipewe ya kutosheleza?

Wenzangu, wakina “tia mchuzi pangu pakavu” ni wengi,

Tukicheka na kusubiri watukumbuke, taifa hatujengi,

Kwa maneno na ahadi kwa kweli hawatutengi,

Ila… lile fungu la kupata, haswa halitulengi,

Ahadi zilikotoka huko huko zinarudi,

Wewe mtanzania, kusimama na kudai huna budi,

Bila juhudi, wote tutakuwa majambazi kama masudi,

Nani atamkimbia nani, maana wote wezi,

Wewe umeiba Prado mimi nina benzi,

Nani anyooshe kidole na wizi kwetu mapenzi?

Dini tumeianzisha, na juu ya haki tumeiweka kwa enzi..

Haki yetu imekuwa tamu chungu,

Shida zimetujaa, ni kweli tumuachie mungu?

By, Khery Mbiro “the poet” © 2009, June 26^th.

Silverfish/Dagaa/Kumbu/Omena! Lets get cooking!

Silverfish is very nutritious. It's packed with proteins and its affordable. You are probably thinking, “with that weird smell I can't cook Silverfish.” Silverfish will only smell unpleasant depending on how you cook it. Don't miss a chance to gain the nutrients Silverfish offers just because you don't want to feel the smell. Below is a recipe that will help you get rid of the Silverfish smell that might seem unpleasant to you and have a tasty meal.

Ingredients

½ kg Silverfish

½ teaspoon salt

3 sliced tomatoes

I sliced onion.

¼ cup chopped green pepper

½ teaspoon garlic (optional)

1 Lemon, lemon juice

¼ cup cooking oil

1 tablespoon chopped coriander

½ cup water

Directions

Remove the heads of the ½ kg Silverfish and put the Silverfish in warm water and let it settle for about 5 minutes. Wash them then put them in cold water to cool off.

Heat the ¼ cup cooking oil in a frying pan for 1 minute then add the Silverfish and stir fry for 7 minutes or until they are slightly brown then drain and set aside.

In a saucepan, heat the remaining cooking oil that was used to stir fry the Silverfish and add all the sliced onions and ½ teaspoon garlic (optional) then stir for I minute or until translucent.

Add all the sliced tomatoes and 1/2 teaspoon salt in the saucepan then let it simmer for 3 minutes before adding the Silverfish.

After adding the Silverfish let this sauce simmer for 5 minutes before pouring the 1 lemon- lemon juice and the ¼ green pepper.

By now, it should be a thick sauce so add the ½ a cup water and let this mixture simmer for 4 minutes while stirring time to time, then remove from heat.

Sprinkle the 1 tablespoon chopped coriander on the Silverfish while still hot then serve immediately.

Serve over posho/ugali/sima/sembe.

By Vicky Mwakoyo © 2010

Bayimba International Festival

Bayimba International Festival was something to die for. It was great and well attended.

I personally went there on Sunday, the last day of the event but wished I could have been there from the beginning of the event.

It was so much fun and that's just an understatement. The art there was amazing, the creativity in the art was awesome. Different people from different regions coming together for one common goal, experiencing art.

The main stage for the performances was an exquisite creation, thanks to one Acaye Pamela. Who thought baskets, mats and beads could be used for something else other than the kitchen, the floor and to be worn respectively? Well she managed to decorate the most beautiful back stage drop I've ever seen.

The movies, dances, the fashion run ways, the orchestra and the rest of the live performances were fabulous. I cant exhaust everything that took place there, but just know it was the bomb! It exploded!lol. Make sure you don't miss it next time...

By Vicky Mwakoyo © 2011

I'm A Woman

I'm a woman, yes I'm proud

Who says we are weak?

Oh no, they are just being fake

Heavy nine months! Who does that?

Without it, I wouldn't be a complete woman

Who says it's nasty?

Oh no, they are just being petty

It's the epitome of woman beauty

I'm strong, patient and courageous

Who says we are complicated?

Oh no, they are just intimidated

We are the bomb! The name is the impact

I'm important and exclusive

Who says we can be trampled up on?

Oh no, they are thinking before the bus

We are beautiful and precious, that's how its should be!

By Vicky Mwakoyo © 2011

KHERI & CATZ WEDDING (compile the first letters of each sentence to create another sentence)

Keep on smiling
Happy is the way to go
Everlasting love is what you share
Right from the beginning
It was written and sealed

Come and make merry
A once in a lifetime enjoyment of its kind
Take him by the hand
'Ze' wedding has began

We will join you
Either in spirit or physically
Don't you ever feel alone
Damn! I know you will look stunning
Incredible I can foresee
Never will I shed a tear
Good time and the best married life is what I wish for you

By Vicky Mwakoyo © 2011

Bamia/Okra sauce

Okra is one of the most nutritious vegetables available rich in dietary fiber , minerals, vitamins. It's recommended in cholesterol controlling and weight reduction programs. Most of the times we don't want to cook okra because of the slimy feeling. Did you know there is a way on how to cook okra and get rid of the slimy feeling? You just need to stir fry it first. No worries though, I've got you covered. Here's is a recipe to make your work easier and eat okra more often in order to gain all these healthy benefits while having tasty vegetables.

Ingredients

¼ kg okra/bamia

½ teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons cooking oil

1 teaspoon tomato paste

1 sliced big onion

¼ cup water

1 teaspoon curry powder

½ teaspoon black pepper (optional)

Directions

Cut the ¼ kg okra in small slices and put them aside.

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a saucepan for 1 minute then add the okra and stir fry for 7 minutes.

Remove the okra from the pan and put it on a plate, let it settle for 5 minutes so that it can cool off.

Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil in another saucepan then add all the sliced onions and stir for one minute or until translucent.

Add the okra and ½ teaspoon of salt then let it simmer for 2 minutes while stirring.

Add the 1 teaspoon tomato paste in the okra mixture and stir fry for 2 minutes before adding the 1 teaspoon curry powder and ½ a teaspoon black pepper(optional).

Let this mixture simmer for 3 minutes before adding the ¼ cup of water. This mixture needs to simmer to make a thick sauce, so let it simmer for 3 minutes before removing it from the heat.

Serve over chapati or rice.

By Vicky Mwakoyo © 2010

Karibu/ Welcome/ Bienvenue!

I hope this finds you well. I'm so happy that i now have a blog, been talking and thinking about for God knows how many months. At last I breath a sigh of relief, Yeeeey!  Here I am with my own blog, I can laugh now hahahahaha. Anyway, welcome to my art world, Vee's Art World where recipes, poetry and art events are the center of attention.

Share with me and I share with you, let it be as interactive as possible. Cooking is an art and poetry is an art. I will be here waiting to share my art experiences with you as you do the same with yours.

Karibu/ Welcome/  Bienvenue!