kehinde omotosho

<h3>Its easter and youre probably wondering how best to enjoy the whole celebration, what to eat and drink, and probably entertain your guest with.</h3>

Well, you don't need to worry anymore. These yummy meals will most definitely leave you and your loved ones eating and licking fingers, and of, craving for more.

1. Nigerian Jollof rice

This meal is a favourite Nigerian meal recipe practically found in all homes in Nigeria. Jollof rice which is not peculiar to Nigerians alone is mostly served during special occasions and social events, one of such is Easter.&nbsp;It belongs to no particular tribe in the country, and it's accepted by all.

Jollof is often served with chicken but can be enjoyed with vegetables, salads, fried or roasted fish.

You know, how you take a bite from a food and probably expecting a particular taste, but boom! you get something else, of course, something better, tastier, yummy and delicious. That's what happens upon the very first landing of coconut rice in your mouth.

The sweet taste of rice mixed with coconut is very exciting and that's why we love our Nigerian coconut.

3. Pounded yam and Efo riro

The thought of this food has us salivating already.

Pounded yam happens to be one of the most popular 'swallows' consumed in the country with some pretty much delicious and tasty soups such Ogbonno, Egusi, Nsala etc.

Asides from the stress and bit of hard work that accompanies this meal, it's one meal that one would ordinarily want to take every now and then.

4. Chicken Vegetable gravy

This meal is super healthy, so even if you're on a mission to becoming the "world's healthiest meal consumer" or a dietician, you are more than safe with this recipe.

This delicious meal is basically a combination of veggies and chicken.

5. Nigerian pancakes

Like every other pancake, Nigerian pancake is sweet, delicious and "belly-fulling". You need as little as flour, sugar, milk, eggs and a little bit of spice (dry pepper) to make this meal.

6. Oatmeal cookies

Easter or any other celebration doesn't exempt healthy meals, you know?

Oatmeal cookies is just totally wonderful, taste great and yummy. And of, course, relieving to know you're eating the right kind of meal.

7. Abacha or African salad

Your Easter is definitely not complete without a taste of the delicious African salad. Made with cassava, pepper and palm oil, this meal is a typical Nigerian meal you can't afford miss out on.

So, you can start making plans, go shopping and all, just so you have a great time and of course, a great meal this Easter.

These yummy meal ideas will put you right on track this Easter.

7 Nigerian dishes you should try out this Easter

<h1>Nutella pancake is a super sweet delicacy best taken as breakfast, a perfect recipe to kick start your day.</h1>

Nutella stuffed pancake isn't Nutella spread in between two pancakes (pancake sandwich), but Nutella stuffed neatly in a pancake.

To make Nutella pancake, start by prepping the Nutella.

1. Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Put 1-2 tsp Nutella on the sheet and spread it into a thin disc and freeze for about 2 hours.

2. Put the flour, baking powder and sugar in a bowl and mix well.

3. Make a well in the middle of the flour, beat the egg in and add milk. Mix properly.

4. Grease a non-stick frying pan with 1 tsp oil and place on low heat. spread the pancake batter on the pan, put one of the frozen Nutella discs on it and top with more batter.

5. When it's noticeably hard, flip it and let the underside cook as well till it is golden brown.

6. Repeat the process till you have all your pancakes made.

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Nutella pancakes, more like pancake sandwich is a super duper pancake recipe you should totally know how to make.

How to make Nutella pancakes

<h1>Puff puff is that round, elastic, compressible, deep fried snack in small chops pack.</h1>

Puff puff, like the name, is puffy and tasty and can serve as either an appetiser or a main dish.

Although quite easy to make, it can get a little tricky if you do not follow the instructions especially when it comes to the addition of the yeast. However, with the right measurement and conditions, you'll have more than just quantity but quality puff puff sinking its way down your belly.

1. Put the flour, sugar, salt and yeast (dry ingredients) in a bowl. Mix well.

2. Add water in bit and mix properly until you have a fine and smooth blend of all the ingredients. The batter should be semi liquid. (Make sure it doesn't get too watery to avoid the puff puff soaking up all the oil).

3. Cover the batter with a clean towel or aluminium foil. Make sure it is airtight. Leave for about 30 minutes to rise.

4. Deep fry the puff puff by scooping it with your hands and gently dropping into hot oil.

There you go. So easy and stressfree.

Puff puff is the spongy and puffy snack in small chops. Here's how to make it.

Here's how you can easily make this small chop

<h3>I'm sure you'll agree with me that Nigerian small chops package isn't complete without samosa.</h3>

Although Samosa is an Indian recipe, Nigerians can't seem to get it away from their eyes nor their mouth when it comes to small chops.

I really can't say if it is the filling or the crunchiness that makes this chop loved by a good number of people. Unfortunately, most small chops vendors have a way of making us crave for more of this snack by putting just a limited number of samosa in our small chops package'

Anyway, here's saying bye bye to their shakara as we shall be making this snack more often on our own.

3. 2 Tbsp. Vegetable oil for mixing

9. Vegetable oil for deep frying the samosas

ALSO READ: <a data-link-role-code="none" href="https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/food-travel/spring-rolls-how-to-make-nigerian-version-of-this-snack/rxknmx8">How to make Nigerian spring rolls</a>

1. Peel the potatoes. Wash it and put in a pot. Add salt and boil for about 5 minutes or till it is soft.

2. Mash the soft potatoes while it is still hot. Add the cooked minced beef (if you're using meat) and mix well.

3. Add the garlic, ginger, onion, red chilli, seasoning cubes and salt to taste. Stir well and set it aside.

You may choose to stir fry the ingredient.

1. In a medium sized bowl, mix the flour, salt and vegetable oil together. Add water intermittently and knead well

2. Cover with aluminium foil or a moist cloth and set it aside for about 15 minutes.

3. Divide the dough into small balls and roll it flat on a flat surface using a rolling pin and divide into two.

4. Take one of the portions, make a cone out of it and seal the edges properly leaving one part open to add the fillings

5. Add the fillings and seal properly by brushing the edges with eggs.

6. Deep fry the samosa or you can bake it for a healthier option.

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Although samosa is an old Indian recipe but Nigerians can't seem to get over this small chop snack. Here's how you can make the Nigerian style samosa.

How to make Nigerian samosa

<h1>Smelling fresh and nice all day long is one thing a good number of us definitely wish our fragrance could do.</h1>

Sadly enough, our fragrances fail to offer this desire. Maybe they make us smell nice, fresh and unique but they just never last long.

Well, if you've ever wanted to make your fragrance last all day, here's what you should do.

Heat, light, and humidity breaks down perfume and lessens the quality of the fragrance. Rather than store it in the bathroom or any warm place, store in cool places.

2. Spray your perfume on your body, not your clothes

Spraying perfume on your body will prevent the fragrance from staining delicate clothes or jewellery.

Perfumes are best sprayed on your body right after having your bath so that the moisture on your skin will help lock in the scent.

Body parts like behind your ears, at the base of your throat, inside your wrist, inside your elbow, behind your knee and below your midriff are the best point to apply your perfume. The warmth in these areas helps scents remain strong for a longer period.

Applying fragrance to dry skin is like expecting the soil to retain water after a long period of drought. So, if you’re trying to get your scent to stick longer, apply oily complexions like Vaseline or any scent-free lotion to help lock in the scent.

5. Don't rub the fragrance on your wrist after spraying

When you apply perfume to your wrist and rub together, you force top notes to disappear faster than it should.

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Making our fragrance last long is what most of us desire. These five tips will help you achieve that.

5 ways to make your fragrance last all day

<h1>Chicken coconut peanut nuggets are pan fried chicken with a crunchy coconut coating.</h1>

This recipe is a really tasty and healthy appetiser with a combination of healthy proteins (chicken and peanut) and low-calorie fruit (coconut).

The lightly golden and crunchy texture of the chicken with the added flavour of peanut butter and coconut adds gives it a perfect twist.

1. Cut the chicken breast into small chunks

2. Mix the suya spice, salt and seasoning cubes together in a bowl. Marinate the chicken with the spice.

3. Mix the coconut milk and peanut butter in a bowl.

5. Dip the chicken into the egg and then rub with the coconut peanut butter mixture. Sprinkle shredded coconut on it.

6. In a well-greased skillet (grease with coconut oil or olive oil), fry the chicken for about 5 minutes or until it is golden brown. Make sure you flip the chicken so that both sides will cook properly.

(If you don't want to fry the chicken, you could bake it)

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Chicken coconut peanuts is a crunchy peanut butter-coconut flavour appetiser.

How to make chicken coconut peanut

<h1>French toast is such an incredible meal to begin your day with.</h1>

This soft yum is totally delicious and is made by simply dipping bread into a mixture of milk and eggs and then pan fried.

1. 4 slices of bread (or could cut agege bread into slices)

5. Pinch of chilli pepper (optional)

2. Add the milk, pepper and nutmeg. Mix well.

3. Dip the bread slices into the egg milk mixture. Make sure you toss the bread in the mixture so that both sides of the bread is evenly soaked with the mixture

4. Coat your skillet with oil or butter and heat it up over medium heat.

5. Fry the bread until it is golden yellow.

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One amazing recipe that brings stale bread back to life is French toast which is simply bread dipped in egg milk mixture.

Here's how you can make this yummy breakfast

<h1>Yogurt is best described as milk tart.</h1>

This thick creamy and yummy drink is rich in protein and should be constantly taken to increase our daily recommended protein intake.

Luckily enough, making yogurt is pretty simple as you require just a few ingredients and no special equipment whatsoever to conjure this milk tart.

1. Pour the powdered milk into a saucepan. Add water and heat up the mixture, stirring continuously so that the milk doesn't get burnt.

2. Remove the milk from the heat and allow to cool till it is just warm.

3. Add the plain yogurt into the milk and stir properly.

4. Sterilise some air-tight containers you can use to store the yogurt using hot boiling water.

5. Pour the yogurt into the containers and store in the oven (do not not turn the oven on, but you could turn on the lights in the oven) or in a warm place wrapped with a blanket and leave it for about 6 hours.

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Yogurt is an incredibly creamy treat that is pretty much easy to prepare.

Here's how to make this yummy milk tart

<h1>Every lady wants a picture perfect, naturally glowing skin.</h1>

However, with the kind of stressful lifestyle, unhealthy eating, inadequate sleep, and all sorts of chemicals and radiation we are constantly exposed to, It has become almost impossible to have a glowing skin without employing the services of one or two pretty expensive beauty product, which we are forced to use every day if we are going to maintain this beautiful skin we so wish to have.

Well, thanks to a number of homemade recipes, we don't have to go through so much stress just to get our skin on the right track.

Coconut oil works best for a dry and dull skin. The oil locks the moisture in the skin and also nourishes it with essential fatty acids. Its phenolic compounds contribute to its antioxidant activity and give you glowing skin.

Warm the oil lightly and gently apply the oil on your skin every night just before going to bed.

While the lemon cleanses, bleaches, and also removes tan, the sugar helps to get rid of dead cells.

Mix 2 teaspoons of coconut oil with 2 teaspoons sugar. Rub it on your skin and wash off with warm water after about 10 minutes.

This recipe replenishes and rejuvenates dull skin with its antioxidants. It also improves complexion and reduces swelling

Mix 2-3 tablespoons yogurt with 1 small cucumber (grated), apply on your skin, leave to dry, then wash it off with cold water.

Aloe Vera's nourishing and healing properties rejuvenate the skin to give it a natural glow.

Mix 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel, 1 teaspoon honey and 1 teaspoon milk in a bowl. Apply on your skin, leave it for about 20 minutes, wash it off with lukewarm water.

Honey has antimicrobial and hygroscopic properties that clean and makes your skin soft. It is rich in antioxidants that make the skin soft and healthy and also reduce blemishes.

Apply the honey evenly on your skin and wash off with warm water after 10 minutes.

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With so much unhealthy meals, inadequate rest and the kind of stressful lifestyle we're constantly faced with, it seem almost impossible to care for our skin. However, these natural recipes will.

Wish to have a picture perfect, naturally glowing skin? Try this

<h1>Just because you want to get rid of some kilograms doesnt mean you should starve or eat tiny portions.</h1>

Unfortunately, a good number of us often cut out a lot from our plates in an attempt to lose weight. Most of the time, it works but only temporarily because you'd soon start nibbling on things you shouldn't if you really want to get the extra weight off.

Yeah, I get it. 'It isn't as easy as you think. I like food a lot that's why I couldn't go on, maybe I should just remain the way I am, maybe weight loss isn't for me.' That's probably what we tell ourselves as a way out of the torture we put ourselves in.

Not eating when you're hungry can lead to overindulging when it's time to nosh, which makes for an abundance of calories that your body doesn't need to use up so it ends up storing them as fat.

ALSO READ: <a href="http://www.pulse.ng/food_drinks_travel/article7109906.ece" id="a234a94b-73c9-579b-bc67-7ec657cd78c8">5 delicious foods you probably didn't know are rich in protein</a>

According to celebrity fitness trainer, Jorge Cruise, you have the ability to "turn off hunger" by consuming large amounts of foods that are low in calories and energy density.

Rather than consume 100 calories by eating just 9 potato chips, you can do that by eating 23 strawberries. Since the strawberries are more in numbers, you'd definitely feel fuller by the time you're done eating them. That way, you'll be too full to nibble on anything else.

Fruits are low in calories and energy density food as well as some other basic snack like popcorn (without the sugar and butter).

According to a study published in the journal Obesity Research &amp; Clinical Practice, those who eat in the morning maintain steady blood glucose levels throughout the day whereas those who skip breakfast experience big surges and drops in blood glucose.

When you skip breakfast, you're likely going to experience hunger pangs all day long. So, you could easily grab a plate of one those high fibres meal like oat or a cup of low-fat yoghurt, which will help in curbing your cravings.

Something about taking appetisers is that it helps to reduce the number of calories you'd be taking overall. Just make sure it is a healthy one.

A Penn State University study found that eating an apple before sitting down to a meal reduces overall calorie intake by 15 percent!

Each one of your meals should include a protein source, a fat source and low-carb vegetables. Organising your meals in this way will definitely bring your carb intake into the recommended range of 20-50 grams per day.

protein rich foods like Beef, chicken, pork, lamb, fish, seafood, and eggs as well as incorporating healthy fat food sources like olive oil, coconut oil and avocado will put you on the right track.

It's all about eating the right kind of food.

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Losing weight can be pretty difficult when it comes to reducing your food intake and eating tiny portions. These tips will however see you eating more as you lose the extra weight.

Want to eat more but still lose those extra kilos? Try this

<h1>Colombian artist, Diana Beltran Herrera, has a way of intriguing us with her incredible paper bird art.</h1>

Through attaching together little pieces of coloured paper, Herrera creates amazing bird sculptures which are inspired by the beauty of birds’ wings in motion.

Speaking about how she recreates these three-dimensional collages, Herrera said, "I do use photographs, is the first resource. I draw these birds in illustrator and print the drawing in the real size of these animals, so I get the idea of their bodies and volume. This is pretty much all I need and keep the photograph during the process to follow colour scale and details."

Apparently, Herrera who has a thing for bird and concerned with the ethical treatment of animals, especially when it comes to the illegal wildlife trade of birds happening in her country has found a way to express her interest mixed with her craft.

She started her art a few years ago by combining her love colour and pattern by collecting some books of plasticine to get ideas of how to work characters and things that had volumes.

Herrera's works have led her to work with private commissions and creating pieces for several luxury brands.

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Diana Beltran Herrera is a UK-based artist known for her realistic paper bird sculptures. Check out some of her incredible works.

Can you believe these birds are nothing but artworks?

<h1>Pimples/acne are skin inflammations that occur when the oil glands of the skin get infected with bacteria and swell up.</h1>

Unfortunately, these skin inflammations called pimples can be really annoying especially when they bombard our faces leaving us helpless to one or two pieces of advice from friends about how we need to stay away from groundnut, butter and a good number of oily foods.

It even gets worst when you just can't get your hands off a pimple in an attempt to spill the content and have your smooth, fresh skin once again. But then, it never goes unnoticed, always leaving dark spots on those areas, forcing us to patiently wait for it to clear out naturally without wanting to hasten up the healing process.

Masking that pimple with all sort of makeup/cosmetics products becomes an alternative to having the smooth skin we desire.

Anyway, nearly everyone hopes for a magical treatment that can actually get these pimples out overnight (or at least sooner than expected).

Here's a trick to getting that pimple out- the toothpaste method.

Toothpaste contains an antibacterial ingredient called triclosan which is found in items like soap, deodorant and body wash. Triclosan is 99.6% effective at removing germs, which allows it to remove pimple-causing bacteria and is also known to kill propionibacterium acnes (the bacteria that causes acne).

Here's how to use toothpaste to get rid of that disturbing pimple.

1. Choose the right kind of toothpaste.

A plain white toothpaste (any toothpaste without additional colours) with a minty flavour (because of the cooling effect on your skin) is best for this treatment.

Avoid any kind of toothpaste that has additives, such as cavity-fighting properties, whitening agents, or extra fluorides.

Before you apply the toothpaste, you need to gently wash your face with water and dry with a clean towel.

Squeeze just a tiny bit of the paste and apply lightly on the affected areas. Leave it for an hour or two or you could even leave it all night long.

Note: You don't need to apply the toothpaste all over your face because toothpaste dries out pimples. Applying it all over your face may cause your skin to dry out.

You do not need to use soap or any facial cleanser to wash the toothpaste off. Just wash it off with cool water or a damp towel.

The pimples should be dried out or reduced in size at this point.

Pimples can be really annoying and should be tagged face spoilers. However, rather than scratch them off your skin, just use this effective toothpaste method.

Want to get rid of acne? Try this toothpaste method

<h1>Banana and ice cream make the perfect rich and creamy smoothie.</h1>

Banana ice cream smoothie is a pretty much easy to make kind of drink which is an incredibly rich, thick and tasty drink with so much yum attached to it.

1. Put the sliced bananas, yoghurt, milk and ice into the blender and blend.

2. Add scoops of the vanilla ice cream and sugar blend. (you can use honey for a healthier option).

3. Add the cashew nuts and blend until it's smooth.

Serve in a glass cup and enjoy your smoothie.

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Banana ice cream smoothie is a rich, creamy, yummy drink perfect for a nice treat.

How to make banana ice cream smoothie

<h1>If you love the yummy taste of bread and peanut/groundnut, then youll definitely love the peanut spread on your bread like butter (peanut butter).</h1>

Peanut butter is one thick, yummy, nutty paste-like treat that turns a slice of bread into an incredible dish. And you know what, it tastes even better just licking it on its own.

While the thought of making peanut butter might seem a little stressful to you, I mean, why will anyone want to go through the stress of making one when it could easily be purchased at any local store around?

Well, here's why. Homemade peanut butter isn't only easy to make (I mean it takes nothing more than 10 minutes to conjure the mixture), it's easy for you to tweak it to your desired taste and it requires as little as 4 ingredients to conjure.

1. 2 cups Peanuts/groundnut (roasted)

1. Put the roasted groundnut in a blender and blend until it's smooth.

2. Add the salt, honey and oil (to make it sweet and add some yum to the taste). Blend some more for uniformity sake.

Note: If you don't get roasted groundnut, you could roast them yourself.

Heat oven to 350F. Put the peanuts in a cake pan. Roast nuts for 3 minutes, shake pan then roast another 3 to 5 minutes or until the nuts are lightly browned and smell nutty. But you have to be careful when roasting, they can burn quickly.

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Peanut butter is probably the simplest thing anyone can make, even a child can. So, why not just make some for yourself the next time you crave for it?

In less than 10 minutes, here's how you can make this bread spread

<h1>Flying first class or business class is sure a very comfortable way to getting to your destination. And yeah, we all love comfort.</h1>

Enjoying the five-star comfort and luxury while flying is our dream. Doing that on a low budget seem totally impossible.

Here's the good news, maybe it isn't impossible and maybe our dreams can actually become a reality.

Anyway, here's how you can swing yourself to fly first class at a cheaper rate.

kehinde omotosho

Articles written by the author