Image generated by me using MetaAI.
I walked into the kitchen, whistling and all happy with my bag of groceries I had just bought from the market. I was about to make a feast of moi-moi (bean cake) I had promised my family days now.
"Chef Marriott" my mum hailed me as I walked into the kitchen.
"Na today? (Since days back)" I bragged, dropping the bag on top of the kitchen counter. I washed my hands, pulled on my apron then I got to work blending my onion, garlic and peppers.
I could feel my mum staring at me with a grin on her face, but I tried my best to avoid her gaze. I wondered why she was staring. I guess she read my mind as she asked.
"Isn't that much pepper? Remember moi-moi is made with beans, and beans don't need much pepper."
I looked at her, my eyes telling her to leave the kitchen and let me cook.
She stood up from her tiny kitchen stool with hands in the air like a soldier who was surrendering and walked out of the kitchen
"Sorry dear, I'll leave you to your cooking", she said.
"Daalụ (Thank you)" I replied with a grin on my face. Finally, I was free from the interruption. Or so I thought as my kid brother walked into the kitchen immediately for a glass of cold water.
"Chef chef" he hailed.
I couldn't tell why, but at that point, I felt more worthy of that name. So, I smiled sheepishly making sure to show my dentition "Na today?" I bragged again.
He chuckled. "You've never made moi-moi before. Suddenly, I think you can make it for the whole house. No, burn down the house o (Don't burn down the house o)" he said, taking his glass of water and gulping it down.
"Don't worry my recipe will blow your minds. It's called the moi-moi exotic version." I bragged again, smiling.
"Or burn our tongues".
Enraged by his last words, "Leave this kitchen and don't return till I'm done" I barked at him.
"Sorry o," he apologised. "I was just joking".
While cooking, the last thing I needed was someone telling me what to do. Even if it was my first time trying a new meal, I loved it to be my recipe, on my terms and with the right motivation.
Soon, I was done blending the ingredients and mixing them into the bean paste. Then I swung into action, pouring the mixture into tiny plastic foils and placing them carefully into the big pot I was using for cooking. I added a little water and set it on the already burning stove.
Impressed at my culinary skills, soon the aroma filled the house and I felt proud of my work. For me, the aroma was proof that I had done a good job in shutting the doubting Thomases up.
I grabbed a stool and sat down with my head resting on the wall. I didn't know when I dozed off waiting for my pot of moi-moi and only woke to a strange heavy smell drifting from my pot of moi-moi and loud shouts from my family.
I quickly got up and put it down, then I opened the lid, and a thick, choking cloud of smoke escaped from the pot, filling my nose. I coughed, fanning the air. "No, no, n,o, n,o", I cried.
Just then my family rushed into the kitchen
"Marriott, do you want to burn the house?" My mum asked.
"No, it's fine. I just turned the fire up too high and dozed off".
I expected pity from them, but instead, they all burst into laughter.
"Our good ol' chef dozed off," my kid brother joked, sending them to more laughter.
"Who dozes off while cooking?" My mum asked, still laughing. "Just open up the windows and see if there's anything you can salvage from that", she advised as she turned and left the kitchen. Leaving me alone with my kid brother.
My kid brother quickly opened the window while I checked my pot of moi moi. Luckily, only a few were burnt. I held my hands to my chest and muttered
"Miracle no dey tire Jesus (Jesus doesn't get tired of doing miracles)"
"Hallelujah!" my kid brother replied playfully raising both hands and trying to lighten up the mood. "Our exotic moi-moi almost got ruined".
I smiled.
Then I grabbed one less burnt moi-moi from the pot, took a bite, and nodded in approval. I gave my kid brother to have a taste too and he smiled
"Chef, Chef! Not bad. Although I'll advise less pepper next time" he said.
I couldn't tell if it was a compliment or not, but I rolled my eyes at him, trying my best to hold my laughter.
"You're just surprised it turned out good", I said.
We carried the remaining moi-moi to the living room, where Mum was waiting, half-amused, half-curious.
Then I watched as Mum took a bite, waiting for her criticism.
"Marriot this is good," she nodded, smiling. "Just go easy on the pepper next time", she added.
I shrugged, cheeks burning with a smile.
“Okay, I'll go easy with the pepper next time.” I concurred.
Well, just as they said, my moi-moi was nice. However, it didn't go without a lot of fanning of the mouth and gulping of water at the dining table. It was a scene I wouldn't forget in a while.
"Well, I'm happy there's something you all will remember my cooking today for", I joked at the diner table as I watched them fan their mouths.
