By Lilian Chudey Pride
Make Cocktail Pride Exclusive, with whole Lemon, Pineapple, Simple Syrup, Vodka or Gin, Mint Leaves, Lemon Wedge and Ice cubes. Enjoy.
One Month away from January 1, 2023, I began planning a menu for the new year. These include main course, sweets, cocktails and some of the local delicacies I enjoyed while growing up. Top on my menu list were these three indulging goodness.
Cocktail Pride was born right here on my kitchen Peninsula. I had hungered for something delicious with a little alcohol in it. I am not a fan of alcohol, strong drink or Soda. Although, back in the day, I made Tinctures with some Herbs in my home town, as many people in my home town believe that either Tinctures or Decoction of some Herbs can stop stomach trouble and other ailments. As long as it is taken moderately, there is nothing wrong in taking it. But I have always loved my plain water, Lemon water or Cucumber water, but surprisingly, that very season, I began craving Chocolate, something cold and delicious and a little alcohol.
I had ordered Chocolate with Rum but it did not strike the chord. The next thing that came to my mind was a sweet statement one fine elderly woman I had met long ago in the course of work made while we were on a leisure trip. One of the older women in our group had said she craved a little alcohol, but because she was a Christian, she was not sure if it was alright to take a little. Then this fine older woman said to her, “A Lager once in a while will not hurt”. I was way too young then to know why they craved what they craved. I am now in the age they were in when they craved what they craved.
So, I decided to make a tincture of Neem. Neem contains anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, anti-malaria, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal properties, among others. Cocktail Pride is a combination of my neem tincture, lemon juice, simple syrup and ice cubes. Enjoy!!!!
I love giving a twist to anything I learn. Top on my creativity acumen is introducing my Nigerian cooking style into any dish I learn outside my country. Here comes “Lasagna my way”. My twist to this Lasagna is the one in a million Nigerian Stew, Nigerian sweet herbs, blended onion and a good amount of chilli. Wow!!! How I wish you are here at table with me to have just a taste.
This is our good old Butternut, Horseradish, Potatoes, good amount of chilli and a generous amount of extra virgin olive oil. Just bake, and enjoy!!!
Here is a toast to all my readers, wishing you healthy and prosperous 2023.
Cheers!!!
