Good morning! Hope everyone had a great Christmas. It was a peaceful one for me, with some of my favorite people and my favorite foods.

Christmas is not Christmas without my mom’s cooking and the red beans and callaloo combination with dhalpuri roti!

Everything else was extra. The stewed pork is another once-a-year must-have! It was so good even my daughter, who claims she doesn’t eat pork, was fighting for the leftovers!

My sister’s potato salad is always something I look forward to, and every time I eat it we always have a detailed discussion on each ingredient she puts in it. Macaroni pie made with Trini cheese and curry duck are always required for the Christmas plate.

I arrived home around midnight on Christmas, and once I was settled in bed, I called my sister to talk about the day’s delights and the potato salad of course. Madness I tell you. 😂

In bed now, unable to sleep any further, even though I am sleep-deprived, but here thinking of going down and enjoying leftovers for breakfast!! Who is joining me? Happy boxing day! #cookingwithria #trinifood #caribbeanfood #christmasplate (Previously posted on IF and FB)

CLICK ON THE HEADINGS TO GO TO THE RESPECTIVE RECIPE ON THIS BLOG.

TRINI HOLIDAY MENU

APPETIZER AND BREAKFAST

Pastelles – Savory meat filled Corn Dough

HOME BREAD – Soft, tasty and Delightful. A must around the holidays. 

HOPS BREAD – Soft and Fluffy Dinner Rolls

HOLIDAY HAM – the every popular ham glazed with brown sugar, mustard and honey. 

PEPPER SAUCE – No ham and bread or Trini Meal is complete without a dollop of hot pepper sauce aka peppah sauce. 

MAIN COURSE

CURRY DUCK – Roasted duck cooked in a flavorful curry sauce. A Trini staple for a good time(Trini lime). 

STEWED PORK- Pieces of pork cooked using the traditional stewing method–minus the peas as seen here. 

Baked pork (recent recipe) or oven-roasted pork (my original recipe) around the holidays is a must. This pork is seasoned with a flavorful blend of dried and fresh oregano, adobo, black pepper, a generous amount of minced garlic, green seasoning, onion, and hot pepper. After days of marinating, it is roasted low and slow. The result is succulent pork, which is sliced to perfection.

While pork in Trinidad is not cooked as long as pernil and shredded at the end of cooking, this baked pork recipe has the base flavors that will go that extra mile if you wish. Just cook it longer and shred it apart after baking. Click here for this amazing recipe.

STEWED RED BEANS – Red kidney beans stewed with carrots, onion, tomatoes, celery and pumpkin. It’s vegan, vegetarian and highly satisfying when eaten with rice or dhalpuri roti.

CALLALOO – A delicious medley of spinach, ochro, pumpkin, carrots, seasoning and protein of your choice cooked in coconut milk.

A must have on my holiday menu. 

MACARONI PIE – Cheesy and decadent–a baked mac and cheese pie.

DHALPURI ROTI – A popular split peas filled roti. 

POTATO SALAD – A potato salad so flavorful, you will never be able to enjoy plain, bland potato salad again. 

MANGO TALKARIE – A SPICY SWEET CONDIMENT MADE WITH HALF RIPE MANGOES.

DESSERT

BLACK CAKE – CARIBBEAN RUM SOAKED FRUIT CAKE

SWEET BREAD– A sweet rustic bread made with freshly grated coconut, warm spices and mixed candied fruits.

SPONGE CAKE – A perfect sponge cake made the traditional Trini way with a touch of cinnamon and cardamom.

CUSTARD PIE (BAKED CUSTARD) – A deliciously creamy, milky egg dessert. My version has a touch of ginger which elevates the flavors.

DRINKS

Sorrel Drink- A refreshing drink made with hibiscus flowers, cinnamon and cloves. 

GINGER BEER – A bitter sweet fermented drink made with ginger and spices.