I thought to myself, if I only had time to share one recipe over the next two months, what would it be? This dish came to mind. Mummy made this occasionally to go with our Sunday lunch, which was always fancy and interesting. One [continue reading]
Cassava, also known as yuca, is a staple in Caribbean cooking. It’s versatile, hearty, and brings a rich, earthy flavor to any dish. This year, I decided to switch up my classic scalloped potatoes recipe and make it with cassava instead. The result? A delightful [continue reading]
A perfect creamy, mashed potatoes recipe for Thanksgiving, the Holidays or any Sunday lunch along with stewed chicken and chow mein (my mom’s favorite combo) or a pot roast.
Growing up in the Caribbean, my job was to whisk the potatoes until it achieved fluffy perfection. It seemed like I was whisking for hours–and tasting as I went along, which mostly likely only left half in the bowl for the rest of the family. That’s what usually happens when you ask a foodie to help. Yum!
The addition of the egg in this creamy mashed potatoes recipe might be a first for the internet, but it’s the way my mom always did it. It lends a unique, rich creaminess with no egg taste if added when the potatoes are hot. If you are adventurous enough, I urge you to give it a try.
This mashed potato dish is exceptionally creamy, delicious, and luxurious with a hint of garlic and I hope you give it a try!
Mashed potatoes are a classic comfort food, and making the perfect batch can be a delightful addition to any meal. Here are 10 tips to help you achieve creamy, fluffy, and delicious mashed potatoes:
Choose the right potatoes:
Use starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for the creamiest texture. They have a higher starch content, which helps create a smoother mash.
Cut evenly:
Cut the potatoes into even-sized chunks to ensure they cook uniformly.
Boil the potatoes:
Start with cold, salted water, and then bring it to a boil. This helps the potatoes cook evenly and absorb flavor.
Don’t overcook:
Cook the potatoes until they’re tender but not falling apart. Overcooking can make them watery.
Drain well:
Drain the potatoes thoroughly to remove excess water. You can also return them to the hot pot for a minute to evaporate any remaining moisture.
Use a potato ricer or masher:
For the fluffiest texture, use a potato ricer or a hand masher to break down the potatoes. Avoid using a food processor, as it can make them gluey.
Warm your dairy:
Heat the milk or cream before adding it to the potatoes. This prevents the potatoes from cooling down too much during mashing.
Add butter:
Real butter adds rich flavor and a silky texture to mashed potatoes. For extra indulgence, use unsalted butter.
Season generously:
Season with salt and pepper to taste, and don’t be afraid to be generous with your seasonings. Taste as you go to achieve the right balance.
Customize:
Get creative with add-ins like roasted garlic, herbs, cheese, or sour cream to elevate the flavor of your mashed potatoes. Just be mindful not to overwhelm the potatoes with too many ingredients.
Remember that practice makes perfect, and adjusting these tips to your personal taste is key. With a little practice, you’ll be able to make the perfect batch of mashed potatoes every time.
Also check out these wonderful holiday side dishes:
Are you looking for a show-stopping & delicious centerpiece for your next gathering or Easter meal? Look no further than this incredibly delicious and easy-to-follow herb roasted leg of lamb recipe! Infused with aromatic herbs, zesty lemon, and savory garlic, this dish delivers tender, succulent [continue reading]
Welcome to our culinary journey through 2025! Each week, we’ll share the actual meals we’ve prepared for Sunday lunch, offering a diverse array of dishes to inspire your own gatherings. While some recipes may not be traditionally Trinidadian, every dish will be from this site [continue reading]
The holiday season is a time for gathering, celebration, and of course, indulging in delicious food. Are you looking for meal inspiration for the holidays? This year, make your feast unforgettable with a thoughtfully curated menu featuring both classic and Caribbean-inspired dishes. From the main courses to the desserts, every bite will be a celebration of flavors and traditions.
With guidance from this video, you will get insights on how you can plan, prep, and execute this delectable holiday menu with my corresponding recipes! Links to these recipes will be updated as they are available, so stay tuned and check back often! Subscribe so you don’t miss any new recipes!
This year’s Thanksgiving was nothing short of magical. It took a month of preparation, but the effort was well worth it as we shared an unforgettable time with family and friends. Our Canadian relatives arrived the day before, setting the stage for a whirlwind of laughter, love, and of course, cooking! Together, we executed an elaborate menu filled with mouthwatering dishes, sharing every step of the prep and cooking process.
From the chaos in the kitchen to the music, dancing, and heartfelt stories shared around the table, every moment was filled with joy. The kitchen buzzed with activity as we chopped, stirred, and tasted, turning our home into the heart of the celebration. Even after the Thanksgiving feast, the fun didn’t stop—we made midnight pizzas and served an elaborate breakfast for our guests on Saturday and Sunday morning. This spread included tomatoes and saltfish, fried bake, buljol, fried shark, eggs, and sausage sourced fresh from the farmer’s market, as well as coconut bake.
The memories of this Thanksgiving will be cherished forever—a reminder of the beauty of coming together over food, laughter, and love. Now, let’s dive into the details of this year’s holiday feast so you can bring the same magic to your own celebrations.
• Homemade Bread: Freshly baked bread with a soft, fluffy interior and a golden crust is perfect for welcoming the holidays and making everyone happy!
• Holiday Ham: A beautifully glazed ham with a perfect balance of sweetness and savory notes, finished with a caramelized crust that adds a delightful flavor.
• Jerk Turkey: A spicy, smoky centerpiece marinated with traditional jerk seasonings. The turkey was slow-roasted on the smoker to perfection, delivering bold flavors in every bite. We also roasted two turkey breasts in the oven to have ample leftovers for everyone for a couple of days!
• Pepper Shrimps: Juicy shrimp sautéed in a fiery ketchup-based sauce with lots of garlic and herbs, bringing the heat to the table. I do not yet have a pepper shrimp recipe on this site, but do check out my jerk shrimp recipe!
• CWR Lobster: Tender lobster tails cooked Caribbean-style with fresh seasonings and spices, making this a luxurious addition to the feast.
• Roasted Duck: A richly flavored Chinese-style duck marinated well in advance to allow the spices to deeply penetrate the meat. Roasted to a crispy, golden perfection, it offers Asian-inspired flavors beloved in the Caribbean.
• Stewed Oxtail: A richly seasoned, slow-cooked dish featuring tender oxtail pieces braised in a savory, spiced gravy until they melt in your mouth. It’s a Caribbean comfort classic bursting with flavor.
• Curry Goat: A fragrant and spicy Caribbean favorite, featuring succulent and tender goat meat cooked in a blend of Jamaican curry and aromatics, delivering a robust and satisfying dish. Jamaican Style Curry Goat recipe coming soon.
• Jamaican Cabbage Stir Fry: A vibrant medley of cabbage, carrots and bell peppers, sautéed with garlic, thyme, all spice and vinegar, adding a light, fresh element to the meal.
• Macaroni Pie: A creamy, cheesy baked pasta dish with a golden crust, perfect for a warm and comforting side.
• Buttermilk Cornbread: Moist and slightly sweet cornbread made with buttermilk, serving as an irresistible accompaniment to savory mains.
• Scalloped Cassava: A Caribbean twist on scalloped potatoes, featuring thinly sliced cassava baked in a creamy, cheesy sauce.
• Mummy’s Holiday Rice and Beans: A traditional favorite cooked with coconut milk and seasoned to perfection, delivering a rich and flavorful side.
• Spiced Cranberry Chutney: Tart cranberries paired with warming spices create a sweet and tangy chutney that perfectly complements roasted meats.
• Tostones with Spicy Onion Pickle: Crispy fried green plantains served with a tangy, spicy onion pickle for a crunchy and zesty side.
• Candied Yams: Sweet and tender yams glazed with brown sugar and spices, offering a touch of sweetness to the spread.
• Apple Pie: A classic dessert with tender, spiced apples encased in a flaky, buttery crust.
• Pecan Pie: Sweet, nutty, and gooey, this Southern favorite is a must-have for the holiday table.
• Flan: A creamy, caramel-topped custard that melts in your mouth with every bite.
• Tres Leches: A moist sponge cake soaked in three types of milk, topped with whipped cream for a decadent treat.
• Vanilla Ice Cream: Smooth and creamy homemade vanilla ice cream, the perfect pairing for pies or enjoyed on its own.
• Homemade Chai Tea: A warm and comforting spiced tea made with fresh ingredients, ideal for rounding off the feast and comforting the overworked tummy!
After the indulgence of Thanksgiving and a day of leftovers on Friday, recharge your body and spirit with a hearty and comforting breakfast spread. This Recovery Breakfast Feast brings together the rich flavors of Trinidadian cuisine, offering a mix of traditional favorites and satisfying dishes to start your weekend with your guests on a high note. Perfect for family gatherings or a cozy morning, this menu is all about warmth, nostalgia, and love.
• Tomatoes & Saltfish and Fried Bake: A Trini classic featuring sautéed saltfish with tomatoes, onions, and herbs, served with fluffy fried bake.
• Coconut Bake and Buljol: Coconut-infused bread paired with a refreshing saltfish salad of onion and peppers.
• Bake and Shark: Crispy fried shark fillets served in soft fried bake, topped with fresh condiments for a street-food-style treat.
• Grandma’s Fried Eggs: Perfectly fluffy fried eggs, seasoned simply yet lovingly, served with your favorite roti, leftover homemade bread or bakes.
Don’t miss my Thanksgiving Day Vlog in this video for a complete guide on prepping and cooking this holiday menu. Watch how it all comes together.
I hope you found this post helpful and inspiring! If you’re inspired to recreate this holiday feast, let us know how it turned out! Don’t forget to rate the recipes and leave a comment. For more video tutorials, subscribe to our YouTube channel. Your feedback helps us create even more amazing content.
If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions about this menu or any other recipes, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below or reach out via email at [email protected]. I’m here to make your cooking experience as enjoyable and successful as possible. Happy cooking!
Have you seen a rack of lamb in the grocery store or at your butcher’s and wondered how to cook it? Today, I will share my recipe for the perfect, simple herb roasted rack of lamb. Crafting an elegant and easy meal doesn’t have to [continue reading]
Prepare your taste buds for the mouthwatering flavors of this stewed lamb recipe, a delightful fusion of aromatic Caribbean seasonings and succulent lamb that promise to satisfy everyone at home. I used lamb loin in the video; however, lamb chops or other fatty pieces of [continue reading]
If you’re a fan of the rich flavors in tamarind or mango chutney, Trini Style Cranberry Chutney is sure to captivate your taste buds. This delightful condiment boasts a familiar Trini chutney essence, yet surprises with its straightforward list of ingredients.
Crafted with the simplicity that defines Trini culinary delights, this cranberry chutney brings together the bold flavors of cranberries, bandhania (culantro), garlic, cumin, hot pepper, and salt. The process involves boiling these ingredients until the cranberries reach a softened state. One key element that sets this recipe apart from my original Caribbean Cranberry Chutney is the addition of a generous amount of water, necessary to achieve the desired liquid consistency. Cranberries tend to thicken as they cool, and this technique ensures the chutney remains pourable, dippable, and versatile.
This cranberry chutney complements unexpected combinations such as sandwiches or holiday ham, and is ideal for pairing with classic Trini treats like pholourie, aloo pie, and doubles. This variation, while maintaining the mouthwatering flavors of the original recipe, deviates only in its consistency – a deliberate choice that adds a unique touch to this perennial favorite.
For those who relish exploring new culinary techniques, this recipe promises a delightful experience.
Here’s the simple yet flavorful recipe to recreate Trini Style Cranberry Chutney (watch the video here on Instagram):
Other Thanksgiving recipes you will love:
Perfect Caribbean Roast Turkey
Geera rice is a fragrant and flavorful dish that’s perfect for any occasion. This delectable recipe combines the warmth of roasted cumin with the subtle sweetness of jasmine or basmati rice, creating a symphony of flavors that will entice your taste buds. Whether you’re looking [continue reading]
Meet Ria!
A Trinidadian culinary connoisseur sharing recipes from Trinidad and the Caribbean with a modern twist.
Hi! Born and raised in Trinidad and now living in New York, I’m passionate about preserving the traditional recipes that shaped my childhood while blending the rich flavors of the Caribbean into global favorites.
