Caribbean cooking

Coo Coo, also spelled "Cou Cou," is a traditional dish in Trinidad and Tobago and other Caribbean countries. It is made with cornmeal, ochro, fresh seasonings and coconut milk. It is often compared to polenta but has its own unique...

These lamb kabobs are simply seasoned with fresh, all natural ingredients, skewered and grilled to perfection. Serve with cilantro coconut rice, cilantro chutney and an amazing salad for a perfect Sunday or anytime meal. Also seen in the pic above...

In this recipe, lamb chops are simply seasoned with Caribbean green seasoning, garlic and lemon juice to allow the flavor of the lamb to shine. Now that the weather is getting nicer, we already have the grill out. Since I...

  Shrimp & Veggie Fried Rice is perfect for a quick weeknight or weekend meal. After a full morning of chores and shopping, we needed something quick and satisfying. Since we did not have rice, we had to make a...

These hot cross buns are perfectly pillowy soft and flavorful with the addition of aromatic spices and raisins. I've developed this recipe over many years, and it's the right balance of flavor and texture that everyone in my family loves....

When you are in the mood for a spicy(or not) curry without all the drama, here is great 20-minute substitute. I love how simple and quick it comes together without compromising on flavor. If you already have pre made green...

Coconut bakes, coconut pot bake, roast bakes or pot bakes, as they are referred to, are nothing short of heavenly. How to enjoy these bakes? Full of coconut flavor, eating it with fried eggs, or slathered with butter or cheese,...

  Stewed blackeyed peas is a favorite amongst vegans and nonvegans alike. In this recipe, black eye peas are simmered with simple and flavorful aromatics to create a tasty and nutritious side dish. The traditional stewing process which is the...

[caption id="attachment_3889" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Stewed Lentils, Jasmine Rice, Stewed Chicken, Salad[/caption] Rooted in the island's tradition of simple yet robust cooking, this dish exemplifies the beauty of the Caribbean, more specifically Trinidadian cuisine. In this recipe, humble lentils are transformed...

Here's a story about how I developed the perfect Caribbean Roast Turkey recipe. I don’t remember ever eating turkey while growing up…and probably because of this, I have encountered many challenges. Over the past 25 years, I have tried numerous...

Learn to make this vegan Trinidadian favorite that's simply irresistible. This recipe for Trinidadian bhagi (bhaji or bhagee) uses simple ingredients, including chopped spinach, cumin, and coconut cream. This bhagi recipe is traditionally made with dasheen bush leaves(taro) or chowrai...

As I mentioned on IG and Facebook, the husband loved this combination of saltfish and veggies with flour dumplings so much he insisted that I remake and filmed this for everyone. This looks like I cooked all day but would...

Crispy fried okra, also referred to as fried ochro / fry ochro in Trinidad & Tobago, is one of my favorite vegan dishes. The crispiness is so addicting, that I can and do enjoy it as a snack. How to...

Corn soup is a popular street food with the partygoers in Trinidad, especially after a night of feteing and palancing, as we say in Trinidad. But I can’t attest to that because I grew up in a strict household, so...

When I first came to this country decades ago, I worked in Jackson Heights, Queens (NY) and it was there that I fell madly in love with authentic and traditional Pakistani and Indian cuisine. A Pakistani co-worker at the time...

I am excited to share my Caribbean stewed canned black beans recipe! It is a favorite in our household and I am confident it will be a favorite in yours as well. As I may have mentioned previously, at the...

Rice is a staple in any Caribbean Kitchen. Here are the top rice recipes on this site and in our house! From the veggie loaded Trini Fried Rice to a plate of comforting pelau, a one pot dish, these rice...

Curry stew is just what the name infers, a combination of curry and stew. The best of both worlds. I figure one day a Trini realized they didn’t want to make curry nor stew, because they made it recently, and...

Here is a cassava pie, mashed cassava aka side dish inspired by a bag of frozen yucca I had in my freezer. At the beginning of the COVID pandemic, we stocked up on frozen meats, seafood, mixed veggies, pigeon peas,...

  I have been making corn pie for get togethers for as long as I can remember. It all started with the boxed corn bread mix and quickly decided I wanted to learn to make it from scratch. I wanted...

Many, many years ago during one of my visits to Trinidad, we (husband and I - no kids then) were invited to my niece's in laws for a 'lime'(Trini get together). There was card playing, laughter, rum, curry agouti (wild...

This is the first fried rice I learned to make. What I think of when anyone refers to Trini fried rice. The fried rice Mummy cooked on Sundays for lunch with baked chicken, pepper shrimps, potato salad and a garden...

Mango Talkarie is a sweet side dish or condiment that accompanies vegetarian or meat dishes. It's made with tart, green mangoes and amchar massala.   In this recipe, green mangoes are cut into pieces lengthwise, cleaned and then boiled with...

"Trinidad Hops bread is essentially dinner rolls.  In Trinidad, it’s eaten for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It has a unique softness, delicate, airy, light chew, and totally satisfying." As I shared on Facebook over the weekend, we ate a hearty...

In this version of stewed fish, a firm of your choice is marinated with blended fresh herbs and garlic. After marinating, the fish is then floured and fried until golden brown. After frying, the fish is simmered in a fragrant...

Chicken soup is undoubtedly comfort food for everyone, everywhere. In the Caribbean, our chicken soup is hearty and healthy. It's superb for rainy days, snowy days, sunny days, Saturdays and pandemic days! Today I am sharing my secret family recipe...

Jerk chicken is a popular favorite, not only in Jamaica but the rest of the world. It's fiery(though heat is adjustable), highly seasoned and wickedly good. There are as many jerk seasonings and recipes as there are cooks and my...

Today I am sharing a family favorite recipe, rice and beans, but before I do, let's have a quick chat about what's happening in the world. A world-- not just a town, or a city or a country--the freakin world...

This is the recipe that made my husband overcome his dislike for curry fish. He even went as far as to say that this is the best fish he has ever eaten. I don’t know if this was to mamaguy...

This post, Top 10 Vegan Veggie Recipes in Trinidad will provide you with meal ideas and a list of Trini favorites for when you need to add more vegan or vegetarian dishes to your normal meal rotations. Diwali will be...

Fall is in the air, and it's such a beautiful time! The changing of the colors of the trees in NY State is just magnificent! It's certainly something to put on your bucket list my friends. It's time to cozy...

JAMAICAN CALLALOO & POUI BHAJI RECIPE One evening after work I stopped off at Mummy’s house to drop off a falafel and hummus wrap. I was excited for her to try the sandwich, which by the way, I enjoyed so...

Today I'll teach you how to make my current obsession, - eggplant and potato with chickpeas (curry channa with baigan and aloo). Whatever way you say it, the result is still phenomenal!  On weekends, I wake up early to check...

After a long day's work, there is nothing like fried aloo and dosti roti. That's what I made for dinner tonight. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="766"] This is the best![/caption] I descended the stairs of the train station, walked across two...

Trinidad Baigan and Aloo with Tomatoes In early Spring we built a home garden at my country home using raised beds and organic soil. It proved to be quite easy. The greatest challenge was deciding where we would place it....

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1664"] Amazing Curry Shrimp and roti[/caption] I hope everyone had a fantastic Mother's Day weekend. I sure did. The gifts were simple, the love and appreciation were endless. The payment for all the food and love I...

In today's post, you will learn to make the best potato salad ever! Happy Spring! I have somehow immersed myself in Spring cleaning(eliminating)--You could say I have been Kondo-ed(Marie Kondo). If you haven't seen that series yet, look for it...

"This oven bbq chicken is the simplest thing you can put together--preparation is super easy, using simple ingredients and the result is moist, flavorful, and absolutely mouth-watering." Happy Wednesday! Can you believe that January is almost over? Where did the...

Hope everyone's year started off productive and promising. I am chipping away at work, and home and trying to stay on track with posting here on the blog and YouTube. All the organizing I failed to accomplish at year's end...

When I think of patchoi talkarie or pak choi (or pak choy) I remember primary school days. Sitting at my desk, opening my tin lunch kit, first removing the package of Ovaltine biscuits (remember that?) and laying it on the...

Another year is upon us and so it goes--whether we are ready or not. For the first time, on old year's night, I did not clean all of my closets and drawers, had a pile of dirty laundry from our...

STOP! You have found the best, most detailed Trinidad Doubles Recipe on the internet! All other recipes are mere adaptations. As I get ready to end this year strong and set goals for the new year, I thought I should...

Table of contentsWhat is Dhalpuri?Dhalpuri, also known as dhal puri, dalpuri or dhalpourie is one of the most popular rotis in Trinidad. It is a  stuffed flatbread , deeply rooted in Indo-Trinidadian cuisine.The origins of dhalpuriHow is dhalpuri made?How to...

 WHAT IS SADA ROTI? Sada roti is one of the main staples in Trinidad. It is a leavened flat bread eaten for breakfast or dinner with a variety of vegetarian, fish or meat dishes--including curries or stews. It is to...

Spice up your life with Trinidad Pepper Roti—a flavorful, cheesy, and spicy flatbread that’s perfect for any occasion, Pepper Roti is a beloved roti in Trinidad and Tobago, known for its flaky layers and fiery filling. Traditionally filled with mashed...

What are Pastelles? Pastelles are a popular favorite amongst Trinbagonians around Christmas time. I don't know why we wait all year to make these (most likely the work involved). According to Wikipedia, it is believed that the pastelles were introduced...

Sadly, all good things come to an end except my blogging of course. The activity- and action-packed days of summer are now a refreshing memory. My annual Fourth of July BBQ, a family vacation in exquisite Turks and Caicos, elaborate...

  As we approach the second month of 2016, and as the snow melts on the ground, I am left to wonder how many of us have stuck to our resolutions. My basic resolutions do not differ much from year...

Buljol is a Trinidadian classic and weekend breakfast staple. It's been a while! Where do I start! To give you a quick snapshot, since my last post I resigned from my position of 11 years, left my comfort zone, and...

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1143"] Trinidad Curry Goat[/caption] Curry Goat--A Trinidadian favorite: For those of you who are not familiar, curry goat is another very popular dish in Trinidad, as well as Jamaica. It does not boast a mild curry like...

"Trinidad stewed red beans is a mainstay in our cuisine. For a typical simple Sunday lunch, it is usually accompanied by baked or stewed chicken, steamed rice, and a salad." A little update. Change seems to be the only constant...

The Origins of Black Cake / Caribbean Rum Fruit Cake Black cake, also known as Caribbean rum fruit cake, holds a cherished place in the culinary traditions of the Caribbean. Often served during Christmas, weddings, and other celebrations, it is...

  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...

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="903"] Slice of macaroni pie on a plate[/caption] Macaroni pie is not to be confused with the American mac and cheese, which my kids would eat everyday if I allow them to. They would let you know...

  Last father's day, I prepared a feast for my hubbie. A feast which included these Caribbean pepper jerk shrimp. [Actual Menu.. In retrospect....what the heck was I smoking!!?? I must really like to cook!.....] I did not post pics...

Pholourie is another very popular snack food in Trinidad. It's soft, chewy, fluffy, and savory, similar in texture to a fritter. Other popular snack foods include saheena, kachori, aloo pie, fish pie, shrimp pie, doubles, chow, chicken and cheese puffs....

Steamed Coconut Salmon My daughter had an interview this week. Her very first interview, ever. I kissed and hugged her endlessly and sent her off to the interview, down a lonely hallway, all by her lonesome, (I know, aye vey!)...

Before we venture into a delivious recipe for Trinidad Coconut Bake, here is an update! In my absence, I have celebrated turning 39, which I realized, after much contemplation, isn't so bad after all. Nineteen years ago, I came to...

  A few months ago I noticed hibiscus tea being sold at Whole Foods and thought, how strange that teas are now being made using hibiscus flowers(the one commonly grown in yards all over TnT). I made a mental note...

St. Lucian Green Fig Salad is the perfect side dish to serve along with curries, stews, baked or BBQ meats and seafood.    Some of my best relationships are formed with people I encounter in the ladies' room at work,...