[Daily Diary Game - January 9, 2025] "A Day of Traditional Cooking and Simple Pleasures"

Thursday marks properly my first meal preparation of the year 2025, after spending few days at my village while my mother and siblings do all the cooking, i returned back from my village to uyo for school resumption. So I'll be taking you all through my day filled with these simple tasks and the joy of me cooking a traditional Ibibio delicacy.

My Morning Tasks

My day all began with a little minor challenge in the house, our water supply was already running low and I had no water in my containers. Just like many other mornings in my area, I now had to fetch water from the near tap for my daily needs.

Believe me that there's something really peaceful about these early morning water runs, although they can sometimes be tiring. But after securing a water supply and filling my containers, I then took on the responsibility of sweeping the whole compound. I've always believe in the saying that indeed cleanliness is duly next to godliness, and so starting the day with a very clean environment sets in a positive tone for me to explore.

Afternoon Cooking Adventure

[The pride of Ibibio "Mkpafere leaves"]

After finishing my morning task and it was afternoon already, I didn't have anything to eat in the kitchen and so
the highlight of my day was me preparing this amazing and mouth watering Mkpafere soup 🍲, a known beloved traditional dish from the Ibibio, annang and Oro tribe of Akwa Ibom State. This very soup is cooked almost similar to a white soup but here with its own very special twist - there's an addition of a fresh green leaves (called Mkpafere) that give it a very unique flavor and the nutritional boost.
"It's a pleasure to share with everyone how this delicious meal came together both in pictures and. words."

The Egusi Seed

	The sea food "Crayfish"

• First, I did gathered all my desired ingredients for cooking. Believe me that the foundation of any good Mkpafere soup all starts with ground melon seeds (egusi) are any other seed like Ogbono which you desire. Using our very own traditional mortar and then pestle, I pounded my peeled melon seeds I had until they all reached the perfect consistency I want. To help enhance the flavor in my soup, I definitely added crayfish to the melon in the mortar while pounding - this is really a little trick that helps to blend the flavors beautifully as my mother's taught me.

My preparation of ingredients continued as I do carefully cut the fresh Mkpafere leaves into smaller portions, a manageable pieces convenient for eating as we always do. These green leaves are indeed what make this soup so special and it's named after, adding in both nutrition and of course a distinctive taste. I also prepared my fresh red peppers by pounding them to really release their full flavor.

The Red Fresh Peppers 🌶️

"I Proceed to Cooking"

The cooking process is always an art that requires a bit patience and it's definitely what I know about. I started well by washing and preparing the stockfish and dried fishes I'm using, which will form the protein base of my soup. These did went into the pot first. The key too to a good Mkpafere soup also lies in the layering of flavors. After I finished seasoning the fishes, I added in my ground melon mixture, allowing it to join cook slowly and release its oils.
👇 Some pictures description 👇

	My Prepared Sea Food poured into the pot 🍯

Mixing Together My Ingredients

	Adding My Mkpafere leaves to the Steaming pot

Take A look at My Soup 🍲 Pot on Fire

The spices I earlier prepared and seasonings went in next, then followed by the fresh Mkpafere leaves I've washed and then additional palm oil. Each of the ingredient plays a very crucial role in really creating the symphony of flavors that did make this soup so special and delicious.

• While my soup simmered to perfection, I did well to prepare garri (the known cassava granules) by boiling my water and mixing it with the Crystals to the right consistency, not too soft, and also not too firm, just very perfect for enjoying with the soup.

"Behold my 😋 yummy delicacy 🍲 is ready and I successfully served myself."

Evening Rest

And now as the day wound down already, I sat down to enjoy well the fruits of my labour as I sees it. There's then something deeply satisfying about me eating a meal I've prepared with my own hands, most especially when it's a traditional dish that helps connects me to our cultural heritage. So after enjoying my meal, I really made sure to drink plenty of water 🌊💦 to aid my digestion - a good healthy habit I've always maintain.

• My day ended indeed with a well-deserved rest. As I finished other tasks on space by creating content and reviewing school works, I drifted off to sleep, I felt do content knowing I had spent my day more productively, maintaining my living space and preparing a good nutritious, traditional meal.

This very day reminded me that mainly sometimes the most ordinary activities like fetching water, cleaning, cooking, and then resting - can ends with bring the greatest satisfaction when done with lots of care and appreciation for our cultural traditions.

Please 🙏 This diary entry did well to showcase the beautiful simplicity of daily life while also preserving the knowledge of the traditional Ibibio cooking practices for Our future generations. @bossj23, @goodybest I guess You agree 👍 with me!.

       "Good night, dear dairy"