Category: Comfort Food
AUNTY TAINA’S SCRAMBLED EGG WITH TOMATOES
Growing up in Trinidad more than 40 years ago, my aunty Taina (Dad's younger sister) made this delicious dish of scrambled egg and tomatoes for breakfast. For me it was more than just scrambled eggs. I was mesmerized by the...
Curry Home Fowl
Curry home fowl is a delicacy in Trinidad. Many folks have what is referred to as layers or home fowl in the yard that’s prepared on special occasions. In New York, we get home fowl at Key Food. It is...
Roasted Duck With Scallion Pancakes
This roasted duck and scallion pancake recipe was inspired by my very first business lunch downtown Manhattan decades ago. I ordered roasted duck with scallion pancakes at a fancy Chinese restaurant, and it was unforgettable. So memorable, I went home...
Delicious Empanadas
Recently I made these for my daughter who was visiting from College. I always try to send her back with all her favorite dishes and enough to share. During her last visit I made aloo pies and to change...
Colorful & Healthy Beet and Potato Salad
Growing up my mom made the most delicious and elaborate Sunday lunches for us. This beet and potato salad is inspired by those meals. I have never seen this combination elsewhere. I added the sweet potatoes in my version which...
Ultimate Fish Pie
Back in the days my dad was a fisherman. He always brought home the best catch of the day and the most colossal shrimp I've ever seen to date. Nowadays, it is difficult to source fresh fish where I live...
TRINI SPONGE CAKE
Looking for a sponge cake recipe that’s light, airy, and flavorful without being eggy or dry? This classic Trini sponge cake recipe delivers all the deliciousness you crave in a Caribbean dessert, with troubleshooting tips to help you avoid common...
Curry Conchs
Curry conch was a delicacy growing up. Nowadays it’s hard to source and very expensive which is why it’s a treat when we do get to enjoy it. Recently, we were able to source some conchs from Astoria Queens. Aunty...
Stewed Beef
In this amazing recipe, beef is browned using the traditional ‘burning of the sugar’ method.  The only difference from stewed chicken is the addition of chunks of carrots, celery and potatoes to make it a hearty stew with lots of...
Cou Cou | Coo Coo
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...
Shrimp & Veggie Fried Rice
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...
GEERA CHICKEN | CUMIN CHICKEN | 20 mins
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 Pot Bake
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 Black Eye Peas
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...
TRINIDAD CURRY DUCK
For West Indian curry duck is not only a delicacy, it is a passion. For many, it is the cornerstone of the food culture. Whether it’s curry duck and white rice with murtani on the side, or curry duck...
Trini Chinese Style Fried Chicken
I still recall the taste of my mom’s Chinese style fried chicken and seeing the fried ginger and hot pepper which was thrown to the side of the stove, which were used to infuse the frying oil. The experience was...
Custard Pie | Flan
Custard pie is to Trinidad what flan is to the rest of the world. Added spices, including cinnamon and ginger, make this version unique and extra tasty. The addition of the base caramel layer is totally optional. The ingredients and...
Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
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...
Curry Chaitaigne | Breadnut
Chaitaigne, also known as katahar (in Guyana) or breadnut (Jamaica) is cooked in a flavorful coconut curry sauce, seasoned with onion, garlic, hot pepper(habanero or scotch bonnet) and culantro(bandhania or shado beni). Other names for chaitaigne are Maya nut, Snakewood,...