‘This boil and fry black-eyed peas dish, referred to as “Googanee” by my Mom, is made traditionally with only onion, garlic, culantro (shado beni) and pepper, but I added veggies for additional flavor and nutrients.” The year 2014 came and left like a thief in [continue reading]
When I thought I finally had a strong grasp on 40, life went ahead and dealt me another wild card which, if I didn’t play right, would result in permanent despair. I did some introspection. I realized that somewhere hidden in the challenges of the [continue reading]
Summer has quietly bid us farewell, and the school bells are ringing once again. Truth be told, I can’t vividly recall much of what happened between the start of summer and the return of the school session. I only know that I worked—perhaps a little [continue reading]
Aloo pie is fried dough filled with savory mashed potatoes that’s seasoned simply with bandhania (culantro), cumin, onion and garlic. This snack (or meal) is right up there in popularity with doubles, saheena, pholourie,dhal pholourie, kachori and bake and shark. My fish pie and [continue reading]
“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 in my life. Recently, I [continue reading]
You’ve heard me mention that I love challenges, and let me warn you, be careful what you wish for! Two years ago I complained that my job had become too easy, I knew it too well, it wasn’t challenging enough. No great captain was created on [continue reading]
The Origins of Black Cake (Caribbean Rum Fruit Cake) Black cake — or Caribbean rum fruit cake — isn’t just a dessert. It’s memory. It’s Christmas mornings, wedding tables, and that one aunt who guards her fruit jar like treasure. Rich, dark, fragrant with rum [continue reading]
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]
Growing up in Trinidad, pumpkin talkari with dosti roti (a layered roti) was one of my absolute favorite meals. Strangely enough, it’s also my 10-year-old daughter’s favorite meal. In my recipe below, cubes of pumpkin are sautéed with the simplest of ingredients: olive oil, garlic, [continue reading]
This beloved bread has evoked many passionate discussions that extend from the north to the south. The Northerners prefer their cornbread sweet and the Southerners never add sugar. This Trini will avoid that controversy. Allow me to exercise my First Amendment Rights by claiming that [continue reading]
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.