Lunch Ideas

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...

Kitchri is the Caribbean cousin, a descendant, a derivative of kichadi. Kichadi is the ayurvedic dish that detoxifies, heals, rejuvenates, improves immunity and energy. This recipe that was brought to Trinidad by the indentured laborers who came to work in...

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...

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...

  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...

For West Indians, 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 with...

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...

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...

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...

Halal Cart-Inspired Yellow Rice When you think of the ultimate street food experience, halal cart chicken and rice is always at the top of the list. There’s something magical about that vibrant yellow rice, served up with perfectly spiced meat,...

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...

Today we are making aloo roti also called aloo puri or aloo paratha, another type of stuffed roti enjoyed in Trinidad, other parts of the Caribbean, and around the world. How to make aloo roti? To make this roti, a...

This creamy cajun shrimp and chicken pasta dish is not only luxurious and creamy, it's a simple one pot dish you can make in 30 mins. Great for a weeknight dinner, a special occasion, or a side dish to bring...

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...

I prepared this grilled chicken kebab for lunch a few Sundays ago and served it along with my cilantro lime rice, grilled lamb kebabs, a greek inspired salad with feta and some cilantro dressing to drizzle on both the meat...

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...

  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...

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...

We all have lazy days and lazy days don't have to mean bland, boring or boxed food. Here's my top 5 meals to make when I am not really feeling like spending hours in the kitchen. I would say you...

A few weekends ago, we made curry beef and curry aloo (Trinidad style) for our Saturday lunch and enjoyed these dishes with delicious soft, paratha roti(buss up shot). It was a really good combination and I have been craving it...

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...

This quick, simple, budget-friendly and healthy steamed cabbage recipe, referred to as "fry cabbage"  in Trinidad and is traditionally eaten as a main vegan/vegetarian dish with sada roti, fried bake, dosti roti, paratha roti, hops bread or even coconut bake...

Yesterday for lunch, I used some leftover baked jerk chicken and sticky jasmine rice (overcooked to say the least) to make this delicious jerk chicken fried rice! I ate it for both lunch and dinner. It was satisfying, quick to...

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...

Making this one-pot lo mein at home is cheap, easy, convenient, and way healthier than takeout because we get to choose and control the ingredients used. Preparing a whole package of noodles means that we can pack the leftovers for...

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...

"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...

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...

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...

  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...

"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...

  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...

[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...

This post made me question my sanity. Cooking, pic taking and catering to everyone in my household simultaneously is quite challenging. Sometimes I wonder why my hobby wasn't as easy as looking at television. I can't explain this passion. Who spends...

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!)...

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...

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...

"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...

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...

This Trinidad-style stewed lamb recipe uses caramelized sugar, fresh herbs, and vegetables for a rich, hearty, and flavorful dish—no processed ingredients needed. Lamb is definitely a favorite of mine. In this recipe, bite-sized pieces of lamb are browned using "burnt...

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....

  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...

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...

The purists might have a bone to pick with me for giving the classic Chicken Cacciatore a Trinidadian twist, but I’m more than willing to take that risk. The magic lies in marinating the chicken with our beloved “Green Seasoning.”For...

Trini Fried Bake is a beloved staple in Trinidadian cuisine, known for its fluffy inside and golden, crispy exterior. Despite the name, fried bake is a soft, slightly chewy flatbread that's fried to perfection. It’s incredibly versatile, often served as...

Hello friends. Here is the recipe for the roasted asparagus I served with the meatloaf in my earlier post. This is a family favorite and disappears in seconds! It was quick, simple, healthy and delicious and makes for a great side...

Most of the recipes I reviewed for meatloaf used packaged onion mix and other "Wooster sauces" which contain preservatives and MSG, which I just could not bring myself to use even if they claimed would make it delicious.  I used Ground Bison...