DIY recipe: Nigerian Gizzard-Dodo aka "gizzdodo"

I can't believe Summer is officially over! It went by entirely TOO fast! For some reason, I decided I needed to cook several dishes last weekend. I chuck it up to the season changing.

I am a member of a Facebook group called "So You Think You Can Cook". Folks basically make different dishes from all over the world and post pictures of the dish as well as a step by step of how to make these dishes. I am more partial to the Nigerian dishes but that's cause it is what I am used to :-).

Yesterday, I decided to make a dish I have seen on the site several times called gizzdodo. It just so happens that I had all the ingredients at home so I figured, "why not?"

Everything went well until it came time to fry the chicken gizzard. Ummm...that thing was splashing EVERYWHERE! By the way, I also discovered that so called "splash guards" don't work with hot oils when frying. And, I was also thankful for our backsplash in the kitchen because it made cleanup a breeze :-).

Anyways, if you are interested, this is the recipe I used. The plantains I had were a little riper than I would have liked so they turned out more brown than I wanted but they still tasted DELICIOUS!

Other dishes made this weekend were Nigerian Suya using this recipe.

This is NOT my picture. I forgot to take a picture of the one I made but it looked very similar.

In addition to all this, I made a pasta dish for J and JOE since J said he was "all riced out." I do love rice. I can eat it everyday and never complain but we've had rice or some of it in our meal since my sister's wedding so I can certainly understand his feelings. J and JOE are the pasta people in the family and according to JOE, this was "yummy pasta momma!" Out of the mouth of babes :-).

I also made a 2-ingredient pumpkin spice cake using a recipe from Spark People. JOE absolutely LOVED it! I didn't get a chance to take a picture of it because after all was said and done, I was TIRED!

And while cooking, my little JOE loves to play hide and seek in her cabinet. This cabinet used to hold wine glasses. My...how things have changed :-D.

I am looking forward to all the fabulous blessings God has in stock for us this week and of course, also looking forward to blogging about my sister's wedding at some point this week or early next week. 

Wishing you a fabulously blessed week!

Wedding Series: My sister's traditional Nigerian wedding (PICTURE HEAVY!!!)

WARNING: This is a very picture heavy post so relax, and enjoy!

The day after the bridal shower, my sister and her now husband had their traditional Nigerian wedding. Her husband put it best when he said "on Saturday, the Scots went Nigerian and on Sunday, the Nigerians went Scot." The celebrations were big, beautiful and BLESSED!

Enjoy!

The menu

Table setting. My sister's vision brought to life. Thanks to the staff at the Beacon Street Marriott in Boston. They did GREAT!

Favors. Each basket was wrapped by yours truly :-). They each contained fruits to symbolize health and prosperity.

Some of the dowry brought by the bride's husband's family.

Awesome idea for wedding cakes. She runs, he bikes, he proposed, and so begins their journey together!

 

My sister thought of every detail. Including the uplighting. It turned out great!

Me. Getting my gele (headtie) done. Turned out nice but OUCHIE!!!

My 3 BEAUTIFUL sisters. Just one more to go and we'll all be married women. Where have all the years gone? 

Me and my awesome sister in law. We make the geles look good! :-).

And so the festivities begin. The groom dancing in with his groomsmen.

He got down! He really had a great time with it.

The men about to pay their respects to my family.

Doing it Nigerian style. 

Answering questions of why he was there. I mean, we all knew why already :-).

The groom was officially accepted into our family. Yay!!! I have a new brother.

Groom's mom, sister and Aunts were there too and they got into it as well. 

And then it was the bride's turn to dance her way in. And dance she did!

Check her out. She had a great time! 

The bride first going to my parents to get their blessings.

My parents praying for my sister. 

Here she is. Being introduced to her husband. He actually carried her to her seat but I don't have a picture of that.

And of all the goodies, she was asked to choose one. She rightfully chose the bible!

The groom putting the ring on her.

The cake was DELICIOUS!!!

She fed him.

He fed her.

My handsome dad and beautiful mom. 39-years and going strong! They celebrate 40-years of marriage next year!

My hearts! I love these kids so much! The older nieces and nephews. The next generation. A constant reminder of God's goodness. Watch out for those faces world! They are going to do something awesome! Mark my words!

And of course, my daughter on the dance floor. First making friends.

Couldn't get this kid off the dance floor all evening!

The kids really got into it. They picked the money and gathered them into bags.

And then it became a competition.

JOE had danced so much, she needed to wear more comfortable shoes. Thankfully, mom thought of that too :-).

The hubby and I. We clean up good :-D.

Our family.

My beautiful niece. Love her dress. That girl can dance!!! She STAYED dancing on the dance floor. 

Parents dancing.

Yes. My sister had a change of outfit. Check out her second outfit of the evening. She was definitely the golden girl that night.

I love this picture because it showed how truly happy she was. 

The husband and wife dancing. I love how his mom can be seen right behind my sister smiling. Love it!

My youngest sister "Attorney T" or "aunt J J" as JOE likes to call her. 

The bride and her mother in law dancing.

More dancing.

And more dancing.

And more dancing...

JOE and her dad.

 It was an absolutely lovely event! Next stop, The Wedding!