Author: Damaris Gatwiri

Yellow rice is a bright, flavourful dish commonly made by adding turmeric to white rice. It’s simple to prepare and pairs well with vegetables, stews, or grilled meats. Turmeric gives the rice a golden colour and a subtle earthy flavour. Here’s how to make yellow rice with turmeric. Gather Your Ingredients To make yellow rice with turmeric, you’ll need the following: 1 cup of white rice (basmati or long-grain) 2 cups of water or chicken/vegetable broth ½ teaspoon turmeric powder 1 tablespoon oil or butter ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste) Optional: 1 small chopped onion, garlic, or peas for…

White sauce, also known as béchamel, is a classic base for many recipes. If you’re avoiding flour due to dietary needs or preference, there are alternative ways to achieve the same creamy texture. Below is a simple method using cornstarch instead of flour, which works well in most dishes. Here is how to make white sauce without flour. Gather Your Ingredients To make white sauce without flour, you’ll need the following: 2 tablespoons of butter 2 tablespoons of cornstarch (or arrowroot powder) 2 cups of milk (dairy or plant-based) Salt and pepper to taste Optional: a pinch of nutmeg or…

Homemade washing powder is an affordable and eco-friendly alternative to commercial laundry detergents. It contains fewer chemicals, is gentle on skin, and is easy to make using basic household ingredients. Below is a simple guide on how to make washing powder. Gather the Ingredients To make a basic batch of washing powder, you will need: 1 bar of pure soap (such as Sunlight, Castile, or any unscented soap) 1 cup of washing soda (sodium carbonate) 1 cup of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) Optional: 10–20 drops of essential oil (like lavender, tea tree, or lemon) These ingredients clean clothes effectively and…

Vodka is a clear distilled spirit traditionally made from grains or potatoes. While commercial vodka production involves specialized equipment and processes, it’s possible to make vodka at home on a small scale if local laws permit. The process involves fermentation, distillation, and filtration. Here’s a general guide on how to make vodka. Home distillation is illegal in many countries without the proper licenses. Please check and follow your local laws before attempting to make alcohol at home. Choose Your Base Ingredient Vodka can be made from a variety of starch-rich ingredients. Common options include: Potatoes Wheat Corn Sugar beets Molasses…

Turmeric has been used for centuries in skincare because of its natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. A turmeric face mask can help brighten the skin, reduce acne, and even out skin tone. Making it at home is simple, affordable, and allows you to avoid harsh chemicals. Here’s how to make turmeric face mask using ingredients you likely already have. Gather the Ingredients To make a basic turmeric face mask, you need: 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder (preferably organic) 1 tablespoon of plain yogurt or milk (for hydration) 1 teaspoon of honey (for antibacterial and moisturizing effect) If you have oily…

Trifle pudding is a layered dessert made with cake, custard, fruit, jelly, and cream. It is popular for its beautiful presentation and delightful combination of textures and flavours. Whether you’re serving it for a family gathering or a festive celebration, it’s a dessert that pleases both children and adults. Here’s how to make trifle pudding at home. Prepare the Ingredients You will need a few basic components to assemble your trifle: Sponge cake or plain vanilla cake (store-bought or homemade) Jelly (any flavour, usually strawberry or raspberry) Custard (homemade or instant) Fresh fruit (bananas, strawberries, grapes, or canned fruit cocktail)…

Tomato purée is a smooth, thick liquid made by cooking and straining fresh tomatoes. It forms the base of many sauces, soups, and stews. Making it at home is a great way to use up ripe tomatoes and avoid store-bought additives. Here’s how to make tomato puree easily. Select Fresh, Ripe Tomatoes Start with ripe, juicy tomatoes for the best flavor. Plum or Roma tomatoes are ideal because they have fewer seeds and more flesh. You’ll need about 1 kg (roughly 2 pounds) of tomatoes to make around 1½ cups of purée. Wash the tomatoes thoroughly and remove any stems…

Toffee apple syrup is a sweet, rich blend of caramelized sugar and apple flavor, perfect for drizzling over pancakes, desserts, ice cream, or even adding to warm drinks. Making it at home is simple and lets you control the sweetness and consistency. Here’s how to make toffee apple syrup from scratch. Gather Your Ingredients To make this syrup, you will need: 1 cup apple juice (preferably unsweetened) 1 cup brown sugar 2 tablespoons unsalted butter ½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional, for warmth) A pinch of salt 1 tablespoon lemon juice (to balance the sweetness) 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional) These ingredients…

Black is a powerful and neutral color often used in art, design, and crafts. If you don’t have black paint or pigment on hand, you can still make it by combining other colors. Whether you’re mixing paints, dyes, or food coloring, here’s how to achieve black using common materials. Here is how to make the color black. Understand Color Mixing Basics Black is typically made by combining all primary colors — red, blue, and yellow — in the right balance. The mix absorbs most visible light, creating a very dark tone. The shade may vary depending on the medium and…

Tapioca pearls are small, chewy balls often used in bubble tea or sweet puddings. They are made from tapioca starch, which is derived from the cassava root. Making them at home requires some patience, but it’s a fun and rewarding process, especially if you want to customize size or sweetness. Here’s how to make tapioca pearls from scratch. Gather the Ingredients To make tapioca pearls, you need only a few ingredients. The most important is tapioca starch, also called tapioca flour. You’ll also need water and optional brown sugar or food coloring for flavour or appearance. In a bowl, measure…

A Swiss roll is a light sponge cake filled with jam, cream, or chocolate, rolled into a spiral. Despite its elegant appearance, it’s fairly simple to make at home if you follow the right steps. Here’s how to make swiss roll using basic ingredients. Prepare the Baking Equipment Start by preheating your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a rectangular baking tray or Swiss roll tin, and line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Use a tray that is shallow and wide enough for the sponge to bake evenly and be rolled easily. Make the Sponge Batter Crack 4 large…

Making sweet chilli sauce at home is simple and satisfying. It allows you to adjust the level of sweetness and heat to your preference while avoiding preservatives. Follow these steps for a tasty homemade version. Here is how to make sweet chilli sauce. Ingredients Start by gathering the essential items: Fresh red chillies (long red for mild heat or bird’s eye for more spiciness) Garlic cloves White vinegar Water Granulated sugar Salt Cornstarch (optional for thickening) Wash and chop the chillies into small pieces. If you want a less spicy sauce, remove some or all of the seeds. Peel and…

Making sugar at home from natural sources like sugarcane or sugar beets is a traditional process that involves extracting, boiling, and crystallising juice into sweet, usable granules. While most people buy sugar ready-made, learning how it’s made gives insight into the process behind this everyday ingredient. Here is how to make sugar. Choose Your Sugar Source Sugar is commonly extracted from either sugarcane or sugar beets. Sugarcane is a tall tropical grass, while sugar beets are root vegetables. Both contain natural sucrose, which is the type of sugar we use in cooking. If using sugarcane, you will need long, thick…

Steam pudding is a soft, moist dessert made by steaming rather than baking. It’s a traditional comfort food that can be served plain or flavoured with fruit, spices, or syrup. With basic ingredients and a bit of patience, you can enjoy a warm, sponge-like pudding perfect for cold days or special occasions. Here is how to make steam pudding. Gather Your Ingredients To make a simple steamed pudding, you will need: – 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour – 1 teaspoon baking powder – ½ cup (100g) sugar – ½ cup (125g) butter or margarine, softened – 2 eggs – 2…

Soya mince, also known as textured vegetable protein (TVP), is a popular meat substitute made from defatted soy flour. It’s affordable, high in protein, and easy to prepare. Once rehydrated and seasoned, it takes on the texture of ground meat and works well in stews, sauces, and savoury fillings. Here is how to make soya mince. Gather Your Ingredients You will need: – 1 cup of dry soya mince – 2 cups of boiling water – 1 tablespoon oil – 1 onion, finely chopped – 1 clove garlic, minced – 1 teaspoon curry powder or spice of choice – 1…