Introduction

Hello to all, 

I was planning to start my blog for a while now. I have noticed that there is so many subjects discussed by different people. Everyone write what they are passionate about. I have a passion...A passion for cooking. even though there is so many programs about cooking, various books and different recipes..

My passion for cooking started long time ago. Actually, the first time I cooked something ( fried egg), when I was about 13 :) When I was at school, we had cooking lessons..And till today I remember my teachers words " I think Polina is going to be a great cook". I thought to myself "no way".. and guess what.. I enjoy cooking and mostly providing comfy and simple food.. The passion for cooking became even stronger after I met my boyfriend, who is from Gambia. He cooked such a nice dinner for our first date.. And I fell in love.. with African food.. I know most of the dishes, they are not identical, but they are very tasty :) It took me a while to learn.. Made mistakes.. But I have learnt one thing: never rush!!! And it doesn't matter what you cook, as long as you add a special ingredient: LOVE !!! My dad always taught me - when you love your family you will always provide the best food in the world that no restaurant can sell.

I am still new in "blogging", but I will try my best to show you some nice and easy recipes, I will show new cooks ( newlyweds or anyone who never cooked before) that you can cook anything you want :) 

Lets start from my recent creation: FISH YASSA 

This dish is adapted from Gambian (Senegalese) cooking. Usually, it is cooked with chicken, however, I found that the fish tastes as good as the chicken. 

The ingredients are: 

1 Kg of your favorite fish 

3 large white onions

5 cloves of garlic

2 medium size carrots

Lemon juice

Mustard

Vinegar

Your favorite seasoning

Oil for cooking

Basmati ( or any favorite ) rice

The first thing we need to do is to prepare the fish. Clean the fish, take out as many bones as possible and do whatever is necessary for your chosen fish. After the fish is clean and de-boned, cut it into  the sizes that would suit you ( because my fish was very big, one piece of fish was used for one portion; thank you daddy ). Put the fish in to the bowl ( use the bigger one because you will put onions on top of the fish). Chop the onions into bigger slices ( half the onion and chop it like you can see in the picture). chop the garlic and put on top of the fish that the fish would be under the "blanket of onions". Season with your favorite seasoning. Personally me, I used few Magi cubes, some all purpose seasoning, black pepper, white pepper, chili. Put 2 tea spoons of mustard, 3 table spoons of vinegar and 250-300 ml of lemon juice ( I use the lemon juice concentrate from the bottles, it usually half of the small bottle). mix Everything thoroughly and leave to marinate for at least 12 hours in the fridge. 

After your fish is marinated we are ready to make the magic :) 

Heat the oil in the frying pan and fry the fish until is brown and crispy. In the meantime, put some oil into your cooking pot and put all the remaining onions and garlic from the marinate, add some carrots ( cut them in your usual way) and leave it to cook on the slow fire until the onions are nice and soft, and golden. After the fish is fried for your satisfaction, add the fish into the cooking pot, add some boiling water ( the water has to cover the fish and the onion), mix it, taste it if you need more seasoning and leave everything on the slow heat to simmer ( for around 40-45min). While the fish is cooking, make the rice. I use the rice cooker. Different people have their own way of how to cook rice. Personally me, I cook it in the rice cooker, making it not too wet, and after its cooked, I always put some butter and mix it in the rice. 

Before the sauce is ready, I add 3-4 Kanni Chilies, and leave for about 10 min to simmer with the sauce. 

So... After the sauce is done..and the rice is ready.. Its time to plate up :) Use a big plate, so all family could sit together and enjoy the food in each others company :) make a bed from rice for the delicious and tangy fish with a lemony flavor..

I hope you will enjoy my version of a Fish Yassa ( or Fish in a lemon marinade )