ABOUT THIS BLOG:
Food holds a special place in our culture; evoking cherished memories, nurturing relationships, and delivering happiness on each plate.
The flavors of my childhood have inspired me to dedicate the past 3 decades to developing, documenting, and more recently sharing these traditional recipes that have been passed down through generations.
The ultimate aim of this blog is to explore the origins of our food, celebrate the vibrant culinary legacy of Trinidad and the Caribbean, and share our eclectic and distinct flavors and customs with the world.
Here, you will also discover recipes that have been influenced by my personal experiences throughout the years and infused with a Caribbean flair.
I aspire for these recipes to connect migrants and gastronomic enthusiasts alike, whether they are local or global, by promoting a feeling of community and shared identity.
Additionally, I hope these recipes bring happiness to those who are adventurous in the kitchen.
ON THE LIGHTER SIDE:
If you can relate to any of the following, this Blog is for you:
- if you love Trini food
- visited Trinidad and fell in love with the cuisine
- you found yourself married to a Trini
- you want to be married to a Trini
- your Trini friend cooked you an unforgettable meal
- you are a Trini and your parents never taught you how to cook
- you never wanted to learn to cook when you were younger but do now
- you were surrounded by people who couldn’t teach you to cook because they only know the “average” method
- you lost your handed-down recipes
- you have two left hands
- you have a bad-bad reputation with it comes to cooking
- you love tasty food and you are tired of recipes on the web that didn’t quite turn out like your mother’s or grandmother’s cooking
ABOUT ME:
Hello! My name is Ria and I am a Trinidadian (Trini) residing in New York with my husband and two daughters. I was born to West Indian parents in a small village in Central Trinidad and migrated to the US more than 30 years ago in search of the American dream.
For the past 30 years, I have worked in the corporate world while also pursuing my passion for cooking through my blog and YouTube channel over the past 12 years as a hobby.
My love for cooking began at the age of 9 when I prepared my first meal for my father while my mother was at the hospital giving birth to my youngest sister. Over time, my passion for recreating traditional recipes from my mother, various family members, and friends evolved into an obsession.
In addition, as a working mother, providing a variety of exciting meals for my picky eaters while maintaining a busy schedule became a challenging necessity. I also started this blog to document these recipes and challenge myself to not only cook well but to cook everything well. I make it a priority to provide my family with home-cooked meals, which not only nourish them but also keep us connected and grounded. Seeing the delight on my family’s faces when they catch a whiff of my cooking or see a simmering pot on the stove brings me great happiness.
Aside from spending most of my time in the kitchen, I also enjoy gardening, taking nature walks, sunbathing, playing with my dachshund, organizing, and reading.
ABOUT THE RECIPES:
All my dishes are simple, chemical-free, preservative-free, additive-free, and always delicious. As someone with food sensitivities, I’ve learned to replace highly processed and packaged ingredients with fresh, wholesome herbs and spices or healthier substitutes, resulting in dishes that are both healthy and flavorful(with exceptions of course–some are illegally decadent). All my recipes are family-approved, tested, and re-tested countless times to ensure accuracy, consistency, and authenticity.
I hope my blog inspires you to get into the kitchen to cook with LOVE. Love for yourself and your family. I also hope that it inspires you to prepare and consume meals that nourish your body, soul, and mind and, at the same time, create happy everlasting memories with your loved ones.
Let’s aim for satisfaction, not perfection & Live Passionately, Love Freely, Laugh Abundantly, and EAT Mindfully.
Cook.Share.Love,
Ria B.
LET’S STAY CONNECTED:
AS FEATURED IN:
Discover Trinidad and Tobago Magazine
Australian Newspaper – Trini roti is being celebrated and featured down under in Australia! This article written by Kylie Walker, an Australian journalist, captures its essence and our love for them all.
Trinidad Express, Divali Recipes Cookbook, October 2019