“Trinidad macaroni salad is the perfect side dish to accompany your favorite baked or BBQ protein and seafood. It’s loaded with flavor! “ A few weekends ago, the beautiful lavender-hued chive blossoms in my garden inspired me to create a colorful and delicious macaroni salad.  [continue reading]

What is Stewed Chicken Stew Chicken (also referred to as stewed chicken or brown stew chicken) is a savory Caribbean dish featuring chicken browned in caramelized sugar(‘burnt sugar’), then simmered in a flavorful blend of aromatics like garlic, onion, and fresh herbs. As I have [continue reading]

In this simple raw mango chutney, a raw half ripe mango is pureed with garlic, bandania (culantro) and hot pepper(s) to create an exotic blend of flavors. Raw mango chutney is traditionally enjoyed with fried bake and shark, aloo pie, aloo roti, flour pholourie, dhal [continue reading]

    These fritters are made with cauliflower, besan(chick pea flour), cumin(geera), turmeric, garlic and fresh cilantro. A few weeks ago, while at work, I had a desire. A desire for a fritter. In my mind I envisioned how it would taste and had a [continue reading]

Peanut butter and bananas are a match made in food heaven – whether you enjoy it on a sandwich or in a smoothie! I prepare this smoothie for my kids for a snack or a breakfast drink and it’s definitely a savior when my 8 year old is [continue reading]

Ever so not-so-often, when I am fortunate to have both the luxury of time and patience, I enjoy the challenge of trying a new recipe. These are my notes on my attempt……In other words..the following is moi interviewing moi. Which recipe did you attempt? Roast Chicken, Bon [continue reading]

Trinidad Sardine Choka If you’re in a rush but still craving a hearty, healthy meal, Trinidad Sardine Choka is here to save the day. This traditional Trinidadian dish combines flavorful canned sardines with simple, vibrant ingredients for a meal that comes together in under 15 [continue reading]

Cooking with Ria is one year old with over 20,000 views from visitors from every continent! The statistics are humbling…and motivate me to sacrifice more of my “me time” to bring more great recipes and posts to you..and I will. I promise. Rest assured I am always [continue reading]

Chow, in Trinidad and Tobaho,  is a simple, refreshing combination of fresh fruits, garlic, and culantro-also known as bandhania or shado beni. Consider it a “spiced up” fruit salad.   [Culantro, also known as bandania or shado beni]   The desire for chow is linked [continue reading]

   The kids were off from school eager for excitement and adventure, the husband complained that he was stressed (the mother’s needs are insignificant) and so I booked a last minute flight. As luck would have it, winter break coincided with Carnival in Trinidad. I [continue reading]