Special Diet

  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...

"These brownies are not too fudgy, not too stick to your enamels chewy, not too cakey, but are moist, chocolaty, with just the right texture (pour moi)….and divine" December is a ridiculously busy month with year-end chaos at work, decluttering...

Before moving on to the recipe of the day 'sweet rice', you should know that I intended to post many wonderful recipes for Diwali and Thanksgiving, but Hurricane 'Sandy' prevented me from doing so. Sandy the Super Storm We did...

What is Paratha Roti? What is Buss up shot /buss up shut roti? Paratha, also known as “buss up shut” is one of the various types of roti (leavened flatbread) ubiquitous in Trinidad, along with sada roti, dosti roti, dhalpuri...

Channa is also known as chickpeas, garbanzo beans, or ceci beans. Aloo, on the other hand, is what we Trinidadians refer to as potato. Hence the term curry channa and aloo. In this dish, channa and aloo are simmered in...

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,...

A coconut “palette” (pronounced pah-lit in Trinidad) reminds me of childhood days in Trinidad. I grew up enjoying this home made coconut treat, which was usually wrapped in a very thin, parchment-like wrapper. Strangely, I could vividly remember the scent...

Each Caribbean island boasts of its own unique blend of “devilish” hot sauces also known as pickled peppers. They vary from simple combinations of hot pepper (pronounced peppah) and lime juice or vinegar to more complicated concoctions of fruits(papaya), vegetables...

The Canadians visited last weekend for my sister's baby shower. They brought me some of the juiciest, sweetest cherry tomatoes I ever tasted. They were as sweet as a fruit, quite possibly sweeter....and then I reminded myself that tomatoes are fruits..duuuh...  ...

  Since I last posted I have traveled on business, arranged a beach “lime” with my wonderful cousins (with fried bake and shark, saltfish and tomatoes and fry bodi for breakfast and curried duck, dhal and rice for lunch), partied and...

Several weeks ago my train wasn’t working so my husband volunteered to drop me downtown Brooklyn to another train station. As a result, I had the opportunity to chat with his coworker, Cyrus, whom he usually picks up on his way to work. I knew...

I've been avoiding the kitchen like the plague. Recipe testing and emotional eating have taken a toll on my "physique"...it also doesn't help that I usually prepare six 5 star meals on the weekend for my beloved family...that "insanity" has...

"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...

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...

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,...

    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...

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...

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...

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="943"] Trinidad sardine choka, served with Fried Bake[/caption] 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...

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...

  I have been making Paula Dean’s peach cobbler for years. One day I decided that it required a makeover with less butter and sugar. I know it’s an abomination, but occasionally I want to experience, “le plaisir sans la culpabilité!”...

This recipe for “Fry Bodi” is long green beans stir-fried with tomatoes, onions, and garlic. Cooking bodi past the steaming point brings out the intense flavor of the green bean. It’s juicy, tender, yet crunchy. The onion, which somehow gets...

I apologize for my absence, I haven't been in a creative frame of mind. I have been busy reading. Reading about the hidden science behind the 2012 predictions, trying to understand quantum physics and learning about the secrets of the Pyramids. Also reading...

I am almost afraid to post this recipe because my husband is sitting on the edge of his seat downstairs watching the New England Patriots beat his team the NY GIANTS, score 17-15.........and if that wasn't enough.......his wife is posting a recipe...

My husband asked me what I wanted for my birthday and I responded, “nothing…just make me a nice dinner”. He mumbled, rubbed his head and looked as if he was 1. Sorry he asked the question 2. On the verge...

    In Caribbean households, a roasted pork shoulder is often a staple at large gatherings and holiday feasts, carrying with it the warmth of family traditions and celebratory cheer. This dish is known for its juicy, tender meat and...

  These braised pearl onions were required as part of the recipe for Julia Child's beef bourguignon which I posted earlier. Delicious, tender, sweet and full of flavor, I thought they deserved their own post. This side dish will also perfectly compliment a delicious grilled steak...or...

Lamb is definitely a huge favorite of mine. In this recipe, bite sized pieces of lamb are browned using "burnt sugar" and simmered with carrots, potatoes, tomato and fresh herbs including scallion, thyme, parsley and celery. The result is a...

If you would like a variation to the regular sweet potato fries or oven sweet potato fries....or maybe you are looking for a healthy "comfort food" to snack on......or a new side dish to serve alongside your Thanksgiving, Christmas, weeknight or...

What is curry chicken? Curry chicken is essentially pieces of chicken seasoned with green seasoning and simmered in a flavorful curry base. Each cook has their variation, however, there is one constant and that is the use of green seasoning....

Happy almost THURSDAY! I love Thursdays...Guess why? 'Cause it's soo close to Friday....which is sooooo close to Saturday...which is....my favorite day of the week....which is also the day of the week I was born...which could be the reason I like vegetating so...

'Trinidad Gulgula' are flavorful, deep-fried banana fritters." Gulgula Recipe: Traditional Banana Fritters You’ll Love If you're looking for a quick, sweet snack or a simple dessert, look no further than Gulgula, the traditional banana fritters! Made with just a handful...

  Dhal is to Trinidad what split pea soup is to the rest of the world. Dried split peas are cooked with sufficient water, turmeric, garlic and a whole hot pepper until the dhal is tender. It is then swizzled...

Callaloo is considered Trinidad's national dish by many. A statement quite debatable since we, our Twin Island Republic, boasts of a wide range of scrumptious dishes! In my version of callaloo, spinach, ochroes, carrot, pumpkin and fresh herbs are simmered...

Today I woke up around 11 am [late, fun-filled night last night with a few of my neighbors]. I didn't feel like cooking so I went out and bought a toasted bagel with lox cream cheese-one of my favorites. This doesn't...

The weather is cooling down in New York (well, it did last week..hot this week...and we might have a blizzard next week...) and I must end my love affair with all things decadent for awhile—just until I get back to...

It was a tradition in our house when I was a child to eat fresh homemade bread, ham, and hot sauce on Christmas mornings. Now, even though I am older and have a house and family of my own, I...

Sawine is a rich, creamy, comforting dessert made with milk and vermicelli (fine noodles) that's flavored with ginger, cinnamon, and sometimes other aromatic spices. It's one of my absolute favorite desserts! I could eat it every day for the rest...

  What is coconut milk? The extract of freshly grated flesh of a mature coconut blended with water is referred to as coconut milk. The mature coconut is easily identifiable with a tough, brown, hairy shell. Are coconut milk and...

What is Trinidad Pelau? Pelau is a savory one-pot Trinidadian favorite. Meat including chicken, beef or pigtails is first browned using “burnt sugar”(little past caramelization point), to which rice, fresh herbs, peas or beans, veggies and coconut milk are added...