Holiday & Sample Menus

During my last trip to Trinidad, my aunty Toy (Dad’s sister) made me the most delicious curry shrimp with pigeon peas and dhalpuri roti. I have been craving it for a while and decided to call her for the recipe....

This stir fry was inspired by a trip to Trader Joes where I found the most beautiful baby veggies. If you don’t have easy access to Trader Joes use regular sized veggies.   HOW TO MEAL PREP FOR THE WEEK?...

Geera pork is a favorite appetizer (cutters) or main course and the ultimate comfort food for limes(hanging out) and around the holiday season. As the name implies, geera, also known as cumin is the prominent flavor. This spice perfectly compliments...

My daughters demand delicious and trending so Mommy has to deliver. Not easy being a mom nowadays!! Who agrees? This is my take on bang bang shrimp which is hugely popular on social media. Crispy fried shrimp with a spicy...

Aunty Iya’s shrimp Lo Mein is a popular favorite at family gatherings, along with Cousin Maria’s macaroni pie. This shrimp and noodles recipe is simple, quick and tasty. It is perfect for a weeknight meal. Substitute shrimp for your favorite...

It’s the holiday season and no one wants to spend hours in the kitchen, even me. As a result, this instant pot curry masala curry goat was born. There is always the special homemade bread and ham, egg or cheese...

In this recipe for stewed pork, small pieces are stewed in the traditional Caribbean stewed fashion with the browning of sugar. The pork is well seasoned and marinated with pre-made green seasoning and other fresh herbs including oregano and pudina(broad...

Turmeric chicken with tomatoes is my go-to easy and delicious chicken recipe that I can eat every day without any guilt. They say necessity is the mother of invention. One day I realized I had no curry powder left but...

Trini Curry chicken with pigeon peas is a family favorite. In this simple recipe, the curry powder, cumin and the abundance of fresh herbs make it not only delicious but also super healthy! What to eat with Curry Chicken with...

Shepherd’s Pie is one of my absolute favorite comfort foods. It is traditionally made with ground lamb, but can be made with any type of ground meat including chicken, beef or turkey. Just adjust the seasonings as lamb will pack...

This lamb pilaf recipe is inspired by my biryani recipe but much simpler. Pieces of lamb are pressure cooked with an array of delicious spices to save time. The flavors penetrate deep into the meat and a flavorful stock is...

Sada aloo or stewed potatoes was a favorite growing up back in Trinidad. With such simple basic pantry ingredients, I can see why it was so easy to put together. I am sure this dish saved dinners many a times...

Eggplant coated with a seasoned split peas batter and then fried is the perfect snack or appetizer. It is traditionally eaten with boiled or raw mango or tamarind chutney. If you have an eggplant (baigan) and some split peas powder,...

Roast Bakes or Pot bakes, as they are referred to, are nothing short of heavenly. Accompanied by eggs, slathered with butter or cheese, or breaking off a piece to scoop up smoked herring and tomatoes, saltfish and tomatoes or buljol...

Along with aloo pie, saheena, baiganee, pholourie and doubles, Kachori is another popular street food, shack, appetizer or breakfast.  This delicious snack is vegan, high in protein and fiber and can be gluten free. It is traditionally served with mango...

We have not travelled in 2 years because of the pandemic. So, naturally on our short staycation during the third week of February I wanted to bring the warm sunny islands of the Caribbean to us. To do so, I...

Fried Bake (also known as "fry bake") is another very popular Trinidadian breakfast "bread". It is actually fried, not baked. If you have heard of the most famous Trinidad bake and shark, this is my recipe for the "bake" with...

This delicious recipe was inspired by all the buttermilk marinated fried chicken recipes. However, today, buttermilk fried chicken gets introduced to the flavors of the Caribbean. In this herb buttermilk fried chicken recipe we are replacing the packaged seasonings with...

When life gets in the way, this is the type of quick meals I depend on--and I thought you would also benefit from this delicious, budget friendly, quick recipe! Canned Salmon is essential in every pandemic and emergency pantry or...

Buttermilk biscuits are my go to for a quick dessert on a cold, winter-weekend night. I always have a stick of butter in the freezer for these craving emergencies. Cutting the butter up into small pieces prior to freezing will...

Peas dhal is essentially curry peas that’s mashed to attain the consistency of the traditional split peas dhal. Our second meal on any trip to Trinidad is usually curried duck, peas dhal and dhalpuri made my mother and sister in...

Curry goat is another very popular dish/delicacy in Trinidad, as well as Jamaica. It does not boast of a mild curry like curried chicken, but at the same time the curry is not overpowering. It's a special occasion, iconic meal...

It was another cold day and I was home alone in need of Trini comfort food, so I made myself fried smelt, a substitute for sardines, which are hard to come by. I enjoyed it thoroughly with dhal and freshly...

This chunky veggie stir fry is healthy, nutritious and easy to make. I made it a couple of weeks ago for my Mom’s small birthday party and thought you would appreciate a vegan, veggie dish to start off the new...

Dhal & Dumpling soup is a simple soup made with split peas, seasonings and flour dumplings. It’s vegan, hearty and filling. Perfect for a cold, rainy or even a sunny day. I started this dhal & dumpling soup in the...

Let's make a quick & simple chicken pelau! Happy New Year! Today we will focus on a simple & flavorful dish everyone needs in their arsenal-chicken pelau. What is Chicken Pelau? Chicken pelau is a savory one-pot Trinidadian favorite. Meat...

Good morning! Hope everyone had a great Christmas. It was a peaceful one for me, with some of my favorite people and my favorite foods. Christmas is not Christmas without my mom’s cooking and the red beans and callaloo combination...

In this jerk turkey recipe, the turkey is seasoned with a traditional jerk seasoning and marinated for a minimum of two days. I like marinating it up to two weeks in advance, keeping it in the freezer, and removing it...

What is Ginger Beer? Ginger beer is a staple around the holidays on many of the Caribbean islands. It’s made with fresh ginger root and spices, allowed to ferment for a couple of days, and sweetened with brown or white...

Curry chicken with potatoes is like a comforting hug on a plate. It's a classic dish where tender chicken pieces and hearty potatoes are simmered in a flavorful curry base. Here's how it usually goes down: You've got your chicken,...

Growing up in Trinidad more than 40 years ago, my aunt 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 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...

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...

  This is the holiday lasagna I made on the very popular Thanksgiving Feast video on You Tube. It has been requested numerous times so I finally decided to make the time and post this delicious recipe. Another recipe long...

This candied yam recipe was given to me by a co-worker over a decade ago. I have tweaked it to my preferences, reducing the quantity of sugar but it is still exceptionally delicious, and is a great side to your...

  Curry cabbage is a simple dish of chopped cabbage cooked in flavorful curry with tomatoes, onion, garlic and scallions. The cabbage is steamed until it softens and all the flavors are combined. It is easy to make, budget friendly...

  Barfi is a traditional, rich, milk-based sweet made around Diwali time or during the year for religious and cultural gatherings. The simple list of ingredients includes full cream milk powder, Nestle cream, ground cardamom, and ginger. Barfi originated in...

Ladoo is a delicious and popular sweet treat made in Trinidad around Diwali and during the year for poojas, prayers and Hindu religious ceremonies. How to make ladoo? Ground split peas are made into a batter and fried. The fried...

  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...

A delicious traditional Trini Stewed Chicken with Potatoes for added flavor and a delightful sauce! Seasoned with traditional green seasoning and other aromatics to maximize the flavor. Stewed chicken is a Sunday lunch staple and one of the simplest chicken...