Cities on a Plate

Curating culinary explorations of different cities. Convos relish in the intersections of food, culture & society. 👩🏾‍🍳Lucia Nhamo • Insta: cities.onaplate

[Cities on a Plate @cities_a]

@RebZMano Superb!

[Cities on a Plate @cities_a]

Thank you to Tola Akerele of the #OrishirishiCookbook for joining us on #LagosOnaPlate. This cookbook is truly a feast for the eyes and stomach.

The Orishirishi Cookbook is available in hardcover here:
https://t.co/9gdZ8abqB7

#LagosOnaPlate #CitiesOnAPlate @OrishirishiNg

[Cities on a Plate @cities_a]

@Kitchnbutterfly, thank you for joining us on #LagosOnaPlate, for demonstrating to us how important it is for us to highlight and talk about our foods, and for reminding us that "comfort food is more than just the belly."

#CitiesOnAPlate #LagosOnaPlate #NigerianFoodExpert

[Stung @sttung]

“History is important in understanding the present, but also shaping the future. If you know who you are and where you come from, it makes it easier to move thru the world” @Kitchnbutterfly @cities_a #LagosOnAPlate

[Cities on a Plate @cities_a]

Yes, a great reminder! These "claims of authenticity may not be substantiated if we drilled much deeper." @Kitchnbutterfly

#CitiesOnAPlate #LagosOnaPlate #NigerianFoodExpert #NigerianFoodResearcher #NigerianFoodExplorer #jollofwars

[Stung @sttung]

“Authenticity is a great beginning but we can get trapped” @Kitchnbutterfly reminding us that there’s so many layers, it’s nearly impossible to be “truly” authentic. (And it’s a gatekeeper) @cities_a #LagosOnAPlate

[Stung @sttung]

“Authenticity is a great beginning but we can get trapped” @Kitchnbutterfly reminding us that there’s so many layers, it’s nearly impossible to be “truly” authentic. (And it’s a gatekeeper) @cities_a #LagosOnAPlate

[Cities on a Plate @cities_a]

Just look at this delectable picture of the Seafood Okra dish from the #OrishirishiCookbook

#LagosOnaPlate #CitiesOnAPlate

[Cities on a Plate @cities_a]

"Good writers are able to anchor their books in reality by including food culture"- @Kitchnbutterfly
So what are some good books she recommends reading? #ButterHoneyPigBread and #ThingsFallApart

#LagosOnaPlate #CitiesOnAPlate #NigerianFoodWriter

[Cities on a Plate @cities_a]

The #OrishirishiCookbook moves beyond just capturing recipes. This book "focuses on showcasing history and culture, richness and diversity - and being able to do so beyond words. It is beautiful without being pretentious." - @Kitchnbutterfly

@OrishirishiNg #LagosOnaPlate

[Cities on a Plate @cities_a]

Indeed!

[Stung @sttung]

“History is important in understanding the present, but also shaping the future. If you know who you are and where you come from, it makes it easier to move thru the world” @Kitchnbutterfly @cities_a #LagosOnAPlate

[Cities on a Plate @cities_a]

Food is not always presented in the best light, so @OrishirishiNg wanted to simplify and show the process in how to cook the food and find the ingredients wherever you may be.

#OrishirishiCookbook #LagosOnaPlate #CitiesOnAPlate

[Cities on a Plate @cities_a]

Why the #Orishirishicookbook? Well, Tola Akerele tells us that Orishirishi means "a variety of any context...a mix of everything." The book is an opportunity to share Nigerian cuisine with people, like herself, who did not grow up there. @OrishirishiNg

#LagosOnaPlate

[Cities on a Plate @cities_a]

In cooking, Nigerians don't typically cook using measurements so in creating the #OrishirishiCookbook, Tola Akerele really had to check and recheck the measurements. The lockdown allowed her more time to do this.

#LagosOnaPlate #CitiesOnAPlate

[Cities on a Plate @cities_a]

The #OrishirishiCookbook shows Nigerian food in its most authentic light. Tola Akerele says she didn't try to package it in a way the world would understand. She kept it completely Nigerian. Love that! @OrishirishiNg

#OrishirishiCookbook #LagosOnaPlate #CitiesOnAPlate

[Cities on a Plate @cities_a]

Women in Brazil and Lagos cooking #Acarajé or #Akara
@Kitchnbutterfly. Just look at the similarities and differences in these images

[Cities on a Plate @cities_a]

Isn't it fascinating? I was struck by how @Kitchnbutterfly described how #Baianas preserved food culture by word of mouth and how this gave her a new understanding of being abroad because she found kinship and parallels in how enslaved people had kept #akaraje or #akara alive.

[Stung @sttung]

Absolutely captivated by @Kitchnbutterfly ‘s storytelling around #akara on @cities_a Lagos on a Plate, happening now! #lagos

[Stung @sttung]

Absolutely captivated by @Kitchnbutterfly ‘s storytelling around #akara on @cities_a Lagos on a Plate, happening now! #lagos

[Stung @sttung]

Akara - a bean fritter @Kitchnbutterfly grew up w - was one she re-met as akaraje in Brazil.. a food treated as food of the gods. It was awarded heritage status - and it transformed Ozoz’s food journey from one of nourishment to the body, to a spiritual one. @cities_a

[Stung @sttung]

“I want nostalgia to come into it, I want them to reclaim their narrative… experiencing food beyond what’s just on the plate.. to experience food beyond the taste in your mouth” - @Kitchnbutterfly speaking to my soul on @cities_a on #LagosOnAPlate

[Stung @sttung]

“Sometimes being removed from a place gives you a lens you might not have had a chance to explore before” @Kitchnbutterfly on how being in N America has shaped her culinary exploration - @cities_a #LagosOnAPlate