In this interview with BLESSING EKUM, Mr. Osita Obiokonji, branch head, Filmhouse Cinemas, Dugbe, Ibadan, Oyo State, shares his adventures in the kitchen and the recipe for a Delta-Igbo dish every post-natal mother should eat.
What is your take on men taking over the kitchen?
The African mentality is that the kitchen is meant for women and that men are providers and so, it is rare to see men do the cooking, except for professionals. The belief is that once the man starts cooking and doing some of the kitchen chores, the woman would take him for granted. You therefore find out that even the men who actually know how to cook are a bit hesitant about it except on rare occasions, like if the wife is ill or after she puts to bed. But this shouldn’t be. Men shouldn’t be afraid to be in the kitchen and mothers should teach their sons how to cook like they teach their daughters.
Can you recall those times you cooked as a child?
While growing, both male and female children participated in cooking and this was how I learnt to cook. As a child, I could pound, grind and cut things. With time, we were given the opportunity to try our hands on real cooking and with constant practice, I realised I had flair for cooking. It got to a point that I wasn’t satisfied with other people’s cooking. Then in preparing a meal, I felt certain procedures must be strictly followed especially in the area of timing and measurements, and when they were not followed, I usually felt the food would not turn out nice. But I realised that sometimes, a food can be tasty even when the procedures were not strictly followed.
What was the first meal you prepared?
That was egusi soup.
How did it turn out?
Those who ate it said I did a good job, but I wasn’t satisfied. I felt I added too much seasoning.
The African mentality is that the kitchen is meant for women and that men are providers and so, it is rare to see men do the cooking, except for professionals. The belief is that once the man starts cooking and doing some of the kitchen chores, the woman would take him for granted. You therefore find out that even the men who actually know how to cook are a bit hesitant about it except on rare occasions, like if the wife is ill or after she puts to bed. But this shouldn’t be. Men shouldn’t be afraid to be in the kitchen and mothers should teach their sons how to cook like they teach their daughters.
Can you recall those times you cooked as a child?
While growing, both male and female children participated in cooking and this was how I learnt to cook. As a child, I could pound, grind and cut things. With time, we were given the opportunity to try our hands on real cooking and with constant practice, I realised I had flair for cooking. It got to a point that I wasn’t satisfied with other people’s cooking. Then in preparing a meal, I felt certain procedures must be strictly followed especially in the area of timing and measurements, and when they were not followed, I usually felt the food would not turn out nice. But I realised that sometimes, a food can be tasty even when the procedures were not strictly followed.
What was the first meal you prepared?
That was egusi soup.
How did it turn out?
Those who ate it said I did a good job, but I wasn’t satisfied. I felt I added too much seasoning.
How do people react to your cooking now?
The reaction is usually ‘wow’. When I cook, I have it at the back of my mind that I have to prepare something that is not just edible but also enjoyable.
Would you then describe yourself as an adventurous cook?
I would. I enjoy cooking foods that are not common and are a bit out of the ordinary. I believe the common foods we have around can be altered to create something unique and tasty.
It is believed that men who cook are difficult to please. How does your wife handle your cooking?
That could be true especially if the man cooks better than the woman. But it’s not so with me. While my wife and I were dating, the first time she tasted my food, she knew she had someone to compete with. But despite my love for cooking, I stilll give her a space in the kitchen. Since I love being creative with cooking, I always encourage her to try and turn normal dishes to something unique. People should not be afraid to experiment in the kitchen. I like that kind of surprise.
What do you prepare when you want to give yourself a treat?
When I cook, I do so most times for others to enjoy. But I love fish and so I try to create something that would have fish in it.
Does that mean you create your recipes?
Yes I do. I try to think of ways of mixing different ingredients in order to come up with something tasty and also attractive.
What is your favourite local dish?
I enjoy okra and stew with lots of fish. I love eating these with semovita.
The reaction is usually ‘wow’. When I cook, I have it at the back of my mind that I have to prepare something that is not just edible but also enjoyable.
Would you then describe yourself as an adventurous cook?
I would. I enjoy cooking foods that are not common and are a bit out of the ordinary. I believe the common foods we have around can be altered to create something unique and tasty.
It is believed that men who cook are difficult to please. How does your wife handle your cooking?
That could be true especially if the man cooks better than the woman. But it’s not so with me. While my wife and I were dating, the first time she tasted my food, she knew she had someone to compete with. But despite my love for cooking, I stilll give her a space in the kitchen. Since I love being creative with cooking, I always encourage her to try and turn normal dishes to something unique. People should not be afraid to experiment in the kitchen. I like that kind of surprise.
What do you prepare when you want to give yourself a treat?
When I cook, I do so most times for others to enjoy. But I love fish and so I try to create something that would have fish in it.
Does that mean you create your recipes?
Yes I do. I try to think of ways of mixing different ingredients in order to come up with something tasty and also attractive.
What is your favourite local dish?
I enjoy okra and stew with lots of fish. I love eating these with semovita.
In your opinion, which is the most important part in preparing a meal?
I would say it’s the presentation. It is said that the eyes eat before the mouth. Proper presentation gives the food life and makes it more appealing.
Can you share the recipe for one of the unique dishes from your place of origin?
I’m a Delta-Igbo man and one of such dishes is ofe nsala uda. What makes it different from the common ofe nsala is the spice, uda. The ingredients needed are uda, oluma, dry pepper, utazi leaves, fish, meat, salt, seasoning, crayfish, little scent leaves, little pounded yam to thicken the soup. No palm oil is added to the soup.
I would say it’s the presentation. It is said that the eyes eat before the mouth. Proper presentation gives the food life and makes it more appealing.
Can you share the recipe for one of the unique dishes from your place of origin?
I’m a Delta-Igbo man and one of such dishes is ofe nsala uda. What makes it different from the common ofe nsala is the spice, uda. The ingredients needed are uda, oluma, dry pepper, utazi leaves, fish, meat, salt, seasoning, crayfish, little scent leaves, little pounded yam to thicken the soup. No palm oil is added to the soup.
Clean fish and cook. Keep aside. Place water in pot and add pepper, salt, crayfish, uda, olima, sliced utazi leaves and pounded yam and allow to cook. Cooked fish is added last to prevent disintegration. Serve hot with pounded yam.
What is special about this meal?
It is a spicy meal and the uda used in preparing it makes the aroma very inviting. It is great for women who have just put to bed.
What is special about this meal?
It is a spicy meal and the uda used in preparing it makes the aroma very inviting. It is great for women who have just put to bed.
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