Side Dishes

Looking for that perfect side to your meat or vegetarian meal or feast? Here you will find some of the tastiest sides on the planet–loaded with flavor. They will be sure to impress your guests!

Trinidad Fry Bodi with Shrimp

Trinidad Fry Bodi with Shrimp

Trinidad fry bodi with shrimp is a beloved dish in Trinidad and other Caribbean islands. This flavorful meal combines sautéed long green beans (bodi) with fresh tomatoes, onions, garlic, and optional hot pepper for a burst of taste. Despite the name, it is not deep [continue reading]

Mushroom & Bell Pepper Stir Fry

Mushroom & Bell Pepper Stir Fry

  Mushroom & Bell Pepper Stir Fry is a versatile and delicious side dish that pairs beautifully with various main courses. Whether serving it alongside a perfectly cooked steak or using it as a topping for juicy summer cheeseburgers, this dish adds flavor and color [continue reading]

Better than Takeout Chicken Fried Rice | Kitchen Essentials

Better than Takeout Chicken Fried Rice | Kitchen Essentials

This chicken-fried rice recipe is a family favorite. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or weekend lunch or dinner. I make this when I need a fast, easy, and delicious one-pot meal. I can guarantee that it is better–and healthier—than takeout!  If you don’t believe [continue reading]

Trinidad Mango Chow

Trinidad Mango Chow

Trinidad Mango chow is a refreshing, savory and spicy fruit salad. On the islands, chow is a healthy snack, enjoyed year-round as a respite from the heat. Not only is it delicious, it is nutritious and energizing. Chow is made with any type of fruit, [continue reading]

Crab & Lobster Boil with Corn

Crab & Lobster Boil with Corn

This crab & lobster boil recipe was inspired by the boiled corn recipe I recently made. To not waste all that good sauce or broth the corn was boiled in, I decided to maximize its potential by adding some lobster and crab clusters I had [continue reading]

Trinidad Boiled Corn

Trinidad Boiled Corn

Trinidad boiled corn or Trini boiled corn is a must-have on every BBQ, or lime (get-together) menu. In Trinidad boiled or roasted corn is also sold by street vendors, mostly along the highway, serving as a quick and healthy snack to passersby. In this recipe, [continue reading]

How to Make the Perfect Rice for Fried Rice -Stovetop, Rice Cooker & Instant Pot

How to Make the Perfect Rice for Fried Rice -Stovetop, Rice Cooker & Instant Pot

Have you ever wondered how to make the perfect rice for fried rice—on the stovetop, in a rice cooker, and an instant pot? Wonder no more, I have experimented with each with some amazing results. One type of rice has challenged me over the years [continue reading]

Aloo Choka – A Trini Vegan Breakfast Dish

Aloo Choka – A Trini Vegan Breakfast Dish

Aloo Choka is one of the several vegan chokas we enjoy in a Trinidadian diet. In this easy recipe, potatoes, commonly known as aloo, are peeled, boiled until tender, and mashed with simple seasonings, including onion, garlic, hot pepper and culantro. To finish off the [continue reading]

Patchoi with Shrimp

Patchoi with Shrimp

Patchoi with Shrimp Recently, I spoke to my niece in Trinidad, and, as always I asked what’s for dinner. She mentioned patchoi with shrimp and of course, I then inquired how she made it. As luck would have it, I had a patchoi in the [continue reading]

Murtani|Upar Gaar| Pepper Choka| A Fiery Side Dish

Murtani|Upar Gaar| Pepper Choka| A Fiery Side Dish

Murtani, also known as upar gaar or pepper choka is a spicy side dish or condiment that’s popular in Trinidad. Whenever cooking outdoors over a wooden stove, gas burner or cooking along the banks of a river, murtani is sure to be on the menu. [continue reading]