My friend Nneka who is a script writer/actress and also a blogger at Neker’s Nibs is a great cook!
Many times after creating a recipe, she cooks it and adds her own personal touch to it so it’s only natural that she give birth to a chef like herself…her daughter Ella.
A 5 year old who is permanently by her mama’s side each time she cooks, such a sweet child, praying for one like her 😀 . Nneka is always sending me pictures of what they cook together, from homemade pizza to bread and finally, Ella baked these pretty cupcakes all by herself! Just had to share…
Growing up, one of the things that helped me stay interested in food/cooking (started making sand-sand food before age 5) is that I was always in the kitchen helping my mum…sometimes willingly, sometimes grudgingly!! Lol, but today I’m grateful for that experience because before I could start pounding crayfish and pepper for her, I was her little taster. Helped her taste for pepper and salt like 10 times before the meal was done.. and sometimes we both tasted just how soft the meat was too 😉 . Cooking came naturally after that and I encourage mothers to allow their kids help, both male and female. Ella has a 2 year old brother Noel who is always helping her too! Such a cute duo.
Now here’s Ella, Our little Chefs recipe for mini cupcakes, very simple and childlike but with great results. Please try out this recipe at home with your kids, follow us on Twitter and Instagram as @clarascornerng, send us pictures with #myminichef hashtag. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Ingredients:
200g plain all purpose flour
200g sugar
150g margarine
200g powdered milk
4 tablespoons warm water
1 level teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder
1/2 cup dried fruit mix
3 large eggs
Method:
Process all the ingredients at high speed in the food processor using the dough blade for 3 minutes.
Stop and push down the sides so everything mixes well. Process for another 4 minutes, stop.
Take out the dough blade and scrape of any of the mix on it. Then pour in the fruit and mix with a spatula.
Spoon the mix,(about halfway full) into the cupcake cases in the muffin pan and smile like Ella.
she opened the oven before the cake was done…just to check 😉 .
Bake for 20 mins at 180 degrees and it’s ready once it’s golden brown like Ellas!
Enjoy says Ella and Noel!
Feel free to send a recipe of something your child made and I will gladly share it on the blog.
Azu 🙂 , have a great weekend!
isioma said:
This is such an inspiring way to bond with our kids. Especially when they are on holidays. Not just watching TV with them. Kudos Neker for guiding Ella to the right path am sure Noel won’t be far behind… God bless
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clarascornerng said:
Awww. Isy baby, I agree! Really a great thing to cook with kids, cos at that stage they are curious, energetic and want to do everything, that’s the best time to catch them!
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neker17 said:
Thank you, Isy. Cooking together is always a lot of fun. You should see the look of accomplishment on Noël’s face when he successfully unwraps a seasoning cube and I let him crumble it into the pot. Ella has loved being in the kitchen with me since she was two.
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clarascornerng said:
That’s really awesome! I used to crumble Maggi cubes for my Mum too…and remain small to lick in my tiny fingers… 🙂 lol
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neker17 said:
Yayyyyyyyyyy! That’s exactly what Ella and Noël said when they saw their pictures. And Ella read the entire post out loud.,laughing uncontrollably all through!
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clarascornerng said:
Awwww….I’m so glad she’s happy! She’s worth it! 😀
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Lola said:
Awwww Ella! This is really beautiful :*
Beautiful cupcakes…even oldie like me nor dey bake *scratches head and runs to try out her recipe*
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clarascornerng said:
Lol Lola! Truly, I don’t have a cupcake recipe too, had to bake brownies as cupcake.. hehe..
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neker17 said:
Thank you, Lollistic. Just invite me over that day. I’m good at tasting you know. * wink
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clarascornerng said:
And I have to taste too as I have always tasted right from childhood… 😀
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Anonymous said:
Excellent outside-the-classroom training. 🙂
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clarascornerng said:
Yep! you can say that again.
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neker17 said:
Yes, indeed. Training in life skills, and not just in math skills.
Thank you.
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Lekan said:
i’m truly proud of her & her brother while saying a big THANK U to their mum. God bless
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clarascornerng said:
Aww…Lekan, how so nice. God bless you too.
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neker17 said:
Lekan is here!
Thank you, brother dear. And Amen.
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Anonymous said:
Excellent home training! When I was Ella’s age, I lived with my Grandma, and was her only house-help. She taught me how to sieve fermented cassava, and prepare the Igbo deli popularly known as “akpu”. Today, I can still do all of the chores I learnt from her, to the surprise of many who know me. What Nneka is doing is practicalising the “catch-them-young” philosophy. Kudos Nneka, and well done Ella and supporter Noel; not forgetting Tomi (the Head of the household), under whose directorship this is happening.
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clarascornerng said:
Lol! You obviously know the family well. Tripping for your akpu making skills though, your Grandma rocks!!!
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neker17 said:
He definitely knows the family well, because he’s Ella and Noël’s grandfather!!
Hehehe! Thank you Grandpa!
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clarascornerng said:
OMG!!! LOL! My respect Sir!
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Anonymous said:
Great mom, great kids!
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clarascornerng said:
🙂
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neker17 said:
Aww!
I’m blushing.
Thank you.
Plenty.
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Ounje said:
This is great, my three year old son keep asking to join me in the kitchen and we have been having fun at it in the past few days. Aunty Labake is proud of you Ella.
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clarascornerng said:
🙂 Thanks Anty Labake for stopping by.
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neker17 said:
And his rainbow cakes and cookies certainly do rock!
Thank you, Labake love, phenomenal woman who doubles as my sister in law and bestie! Kisses!
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Ounje said:
Thanks darl. Love you loads to Nneka
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neker17 said:
I’ve read all your comments to Ella and Noël and they’re blushing and smiling as I am beaming with pride. Thank you so much. God bless you all. And you, Aunt Azu…..we will “revenge ” this. Hehehe! Big hugs!
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clarascornerng said:
lol! Glad their little hearts are beaming with joy!!
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clarascornerng said:
Ah…I see..lol. Family tinz
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