Truth Be Told

Hey guys, I'm in a giveaway mood and because this is quite impromptu it's just a small one just to say thank you for subscribing and for being a reader.
Easy rules:

• YOU MUST BE A SUBSCRIBER

• COMMENT BELOW THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION BELOW WITH THE FIRST TWO LETTERS AND LAST LETTER OF YOUR EMAIL PLUS THE EMAIL SERVER. eg dr****n@gmail.com

• THE QUESTION TO ANSWER IS, WHAT IS THE TITLE OF MY MOST COMMENTED POST?

• OPEN TO BOTH SEXES AND ANY LOCATION

• ENDS ON MONDAY, 12PM CENTRAL EUROPEAN TIME. 

• I HAVE MY SUBSCRIBER'S DATABASE AND I WILL ANNOUNCE AND CONTACT THE WINNER AFTER CONFIRMING THE WINNER IS A SUBSCRIBER

I'm about to embarrass myself again. Funny enough, can't remember everything especially the really good ones but the first one below is still the most embarrassing one for me till date.

Claudia: "Random or whatever your name is, that unexpected slap was just my way of repaying you for your nasty and arrogant manners. You appall me really. I didn't even mind all you said before today but to now say more nasty things, proudly, in front of friends really speaks ill of your character. Anyway girls, I appreciate your concern but to be honest, Sunday and I wouldn't have made it because even though I never told you guys this, he has a six months old daughter and I was just adjusting with the news when Random took him away. I really hope you enjoy your new reality. I wonder why he never told you" 

1. Am I ready to have another person in my space? my space mentally, physically and spiritually?
2. Am I mature enough to be with someone? To be a listening ear, a confidante, a loyal friend, a person of character and integrity with someone? And am I ready to be someone’s spouse in the future?
3. Am I ready to love in the true sense of love? Knowing vividly well everything that love stands for and what love requires of you?
4. Am I ready to walk the walk of relationship? To invest time, prayers, money and emotions into someone else that is not you?
5. Finally am I ready to start my dating relationship the right way? God’s way? In a way that brings glory to God? (if you don’t know what God’s way is, pls research on it….Thanks)

I wrote down the topics I would like to write about somewhere and I can't find it. I just quickly concluded at the start of this write up that I will write about something that has been on my mind recently. I don't know why people mix up having an outlook and judging. I know there's a thin line between the two that can easily be crossed but if you pay attention, you'd be able to differentiate between those clearly. To be sure we are on the right path, I decided to search for the definition of (to) judge which is, To Conclude, Give a Verdict and outlook is A person's point of view. Now let me get to my point.

Person A borrowed money from B on the basis that it will be returned on Day 5 but Person A returned the money on Day 20 after ignoring continuous messages from B since Day 6. Automatically, person B was furious and decided she will never borrow A money ever because A was not true to his word/promise and deliberately ignored attempts B made to contact A.

Imagine B telling a mutual friend C about the issue. Do you think C will ever borrow A money? I'm guessing the response will be No. Why? Because C already "judged" and concluded that A will never return money borrowed on time, if ever, based on what happened between A and B. Having an outlook about the issue on the other hand is trying to reason with why A didn't return money and ignored messages from B. So your outlook should weigh both ends of the spectrum and if A eventually asks C for help, C shouldn't blatantly say No if really she could help but instead, create a safer agreement to satisfy both the borrower and lender.

Don't know if my point was understood but the issue of money is just an example that is pretty familiar with students. Another example is judging someone's character based on hear-say. You say someone is a snub but have you tried talking to the person and you got ignored straight up? Not from a distance but in-your-face kind of distance and the person snubbed you? Or did you base your judgement on waving and you didn't get any reply from the person? Or are you judging based on someone's outward appearance (including facial expressions)? Or are you judging based on the person's friends? I know people say birds of the same feather flock together but you'd be surprised that a particular bird is flying with another just to direct it to it's destination and not necessarily because it's also lost. 

I'm just going to end this with, remove the log in your eye before you remove your neighbor's. So except you are God or a perfect being, please judge your own actions and leave room for errors. Notwithstanding, not judging does not mean you should not correct someone putting their hand in fire but do it with love and not because you are better.

Love,
Dedun

No Nigerian versus Ghana Jollof wars here people just an easy to follow recipe the way I've watched caterers cook it and how my mum cooks it. The beauty of party Jollof is the smoky taste on your buds and how rich in color it is, served with the biggest stewed beef and a chilled bottle of Malt. Even your belly rumbles in synchrony with the sound of Halleluya! To achieve that smoky flavor you need a pot that's not non stick because non-stick pots are bad belle when it comes to smoky Jollof rice. I can't even explain the result it will give you but yeah, ditch non stick pot because the big pots caterers use are made of strong iron and definitely not non-stick. Don't forget to add me on snap chat (SHEAINTU) so you don't miss any recipe I post.

Ingredients

NB: This list is for 2 kg of rice. Adjust accordingly.

2 Bell Peppers
3 Tomatoes and 2 extra, sliced
2 Scotch Bonnets
3 Onions
5 Cups(1.3L) Meat Stock
2 Maggi Cubes (If needed)
1 tsp Salt (If needed)
Hot water (As needed)
1 Tbsp Oil
2 kg Rice
1 Tsp Curry
1 Tsp Thyme
3 Bay Leaves
250g Tomato Paste

Video

• Blend the bell peppers with 3 tomatoes, the scotch bonnets and 1 onion. Doesn't have to be smooth.

• Boil to remove excess water and give the pepper a rich taste

• In a pot, heat the oil and fry 1 chopped onion with the spices (Curry, Thyme and Bay leaves). I love frying my spices because it brings out the aroma and adds more flavor. 

• Add the boiled pepper and the tomato paste. Let it fry.

• Add the stock and taste. If necessary, add the maggi and salt as your taste bud pleases. Bring to a boil.

• If needed, Add more water and gauge to know if it's enough for the amount of rice you plan to cook. Don't over dilute because you can end up with mushy rice. Taste to be sure you didn't put too much water.

• Chop the last onion and the extra tomatoes. Add them to the pepper mix and bring to a boil for 5 mins. 

• Rinse the rice and add to the boiled mixture. Cover the pot and cook on the lowest heat for approximately 30 mins or till it done.

• For the smoky part, Cover the cooked rice with foil and also with the pot cover, turn up the heat to medium and let it burn for 5 mins (yea, burn!!). The foil helps to keep the smoke in.

• Stir the rice so the color is evenly distributed. It's ready to be served even though I prefer eating mine the next day. It just tastes better :)   

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Send me your snaps when you cook it this way and if something isn't clear to you. xox