This One's for You.

I’m a girl that's lucky enough to not only have 2 grandmothers, but rather 3. In 1990 my parents decided to pack up our belongings and head out west to California. Diapers and all we drove across the flat land from our small town in Michigan.

After a couple of trial and errors with housing we finally found what soon became one our most memorable homes. This without a doubt was due to the wonderful lady who lived next door, Harriet.

Leaving our extended family behind in Michigan, Harriet quickly adopted the title of “California Grandmother.” She had it all: card games, grand piano, loads of trinkets with interesting tales, infectious laughter and a wild purple sea of lupines in her yard.

Day after day there we were, three lively little girls bopping around her house playing card games for hours. It was plain to see that she had moved past the title of Grandmother, to Our Dear Friend. One of our family’s classic stories is during my Grandfather's visit from Michigan. Amongst his stay I insisted he meet my friend Harriet, and somehow even convinced him to walk next door for a proper introduction. Harriet kindly welcomed us in and provided light hearted conversation. It was only after some time my Grandfather politely asked where Harriet was. Harriet replied with a surprised “ I’m Harriet!” I suppose somewhere along the way I had forgotten to mention to him that Harriet was not an 8 year-old classmate of mine. But I never saw her in any other way besides my best of friends.

We inevitably moved away after a few more years of friendship, but nevertheless we've yet to lose touch. Between the decades of letters, phone calls and precious visits we grow closer through time. Harriet is now in her 80’s and you could never guess, she's just as active and bright spirited as ever. I admire her strength and spirit more than I can I formulate into words. She has, is and always will be my motivator, my friend and yes, my California Grandmother.

Just in case anyone is wondering exactly how Harriet pertains to my recipe of curried chicken salad; it was upon my last trip that I was blessed to have yet another marvelous visit with her. Our favorite lunch time spot was sadly shut down due to the economy crisis, so we decided to eat lunch in. Dining upon the table that each of us girls has sat down at year after year discussing our latest adventures and trials.

I did not want to spend the few hours that I got with her this year cooking, so I picked up a delicious curry chicken salad, butter lettuce and other grand accompaniments. Harriet's company and conversation made it all the more satisfying, but I still think that my rendition can hold up.

The salad is scrumptious yes, but even better is that I got to sneak in a great tale of a great lady.

Curried Chicken Saldad with Sesame Tuiles

Serves 2

For the Chicken:

Chicken Breast, cubed 300 gr ( 10 oz)

Coconut Milk 200 gr ( 1 cup)

Water 200 gr ( 1cup)

Salt, pinch

Curry powder 2 gr (1/2 tsp)

Cube the chicken breast (this will make it cook a lot faster for you.) Combine coconut milk, water and salt and bring to a boil. Add chicken and simmer till cooked. Remove from liquid and place into a bowl. Sprinkle curry powder onto the chicken immediately while the chicken is still hot. This will help the meat to take in the flavor of the curry. Allow to cool completely and shred by hand.

For the Salad:

Mayonnaise 40 gr (3 Tbsp)

Green apple, diced half a medium sized apple

Fresh green chilie, minced (add as little or as much as desired)

Salt, to taste

Cracked black pepper, to taste

Coriander leaves 2 gr (1/2 tsp)

Spring onions 2 gr (1/2 tsp)

Toasted coconut shavings 2 gr ( 1/2 tsp)

Nuts, optional 10 gr (2 tsp ) You can use any type, I recommend walnuts, pine nuts or cashews)

Cucumber, sliced 30 gr (1 oz)

Endive 30 gr (1 oz)

Lettuce leaves 30 gr (1 oz)

Mix together the shredded chicken with all ingredients except cucumber, endive and lettuce leaves. Toss to coating all evenly. Place on top of the bed of lettuce, endive and cucumbers. Garnish with sesame tuiles.

For the Tuiles:

Recipe for the sesame tuiles can be pulled directly from here.

For Better. For Worse.

In Lagos you are bound not to lack one thing, products from the Middle East. Whether it's electronics, cosmetics or food items for better or for worse you're sure to have an abundance.

I can get on board with most of the food products. All except the skeptical looking " رقائق الذرة" that is recognizable as "Corn Flakes" only by Cornelious the Rooster's profile.

I have a huge weak spot for the black olives sold in the weathered wooden barrels, the spiced roasted nuts and sweet medjool dates. I have to admit that the U.S. can grow it all, but there is nothing like eating something that grew in it's native homeland.

I had picked up a rather large pack of dates from the stores thinking that I would be able to consume them with in a matter of days. I love their naturally sweet and chewy texture with sharp blue cheese. But there they sat, forgotten on the bottom rack of my oven, tightly wrapped in styrofoam and plastic.

I needed to find a use for them that would consume the entire pack before they completely dried up on me. I set about Googling for inspiring date recipes and was quickly taken by the sound of a Coffee and Date Bread. I took the opportunity to use the dates, and truly had no intentions of re-posting the recipe here. But this bread is so richly dense with just the perfect balance of bitter coffee and sweet dates. It was all I could do from shouting out the recipe from the highest rooftops. So here it is now, on my metaphorical rooftop. No, it's not an original but with a recipe this good.... I don't so much mind.

Besides my uneasy amount of Nutella that I smeared across each slice, I made a few minuet changes/personal preferences. I swapped out half of the white sugar with brown sugar, reduced the salt and omitted the pecans.

I also had all desire to save a slice or two till it became stale enough to engulf a thick custard, and on one brilliant sunny morning I would have a unique french toast. Unfortunately and un-regrettably the loaf never made it that far. Oh well, I suppose I will just have to make another!

Coffee and Date Bread (smothered with Nutella)

Dates, chopped and pitted 145 gr (1 cup)

Baking soda 5 gr (1 Tsp)

Strong brewed coffee 235 ml (1 cup)

Soften butter, unsalted 30 gr (2 Tbsp)

White sugar 100 gr (1/2 cup)

Brown sugar 100 gr (1/2 cup)

Egg 1 pc

Vanilla extract 5 ml (1 tsp)

All-purpose flour 190 gr (1 1/2 cups)

Salt 2 gr ( 1/2 Tsp)

Nutella: As much as your heart desires.

Preheat the oven to 175 C (350 F). Grease an 8x4 inch loaf pan and coat with flour. Sake out the excess flour. Place the dates and baking soda in a bowl and pour the hot coffee over top. Set aside.

In a separate bowl mix together the butter, sugars and egg until well whipped. Stir in vanilla. Combine sifted flour and salt and add in intervals till combined. Transfer to the prepared loaf pan.

Bake for about 1 hour. Test by inserting a tooth pick into the center and gently pull it out. If the pick is clean let stand for 5 mins. Remove from pan and allow to cool on a wire rack.

If you manage to save it for french toast let me know how it is!