This recipe is a staple side dish of mine that I’ve adapted and modified at length through the years. Both colorful and flavourful I think it creates a texturally interesting background for spicy curries and other East Indian flavoured entrees. Why not try it with Tridoshic Dal, Coconut Chicken Curry, or Vegetable Curry in a Hurry?

Coconut Rice with Lentils and Cashews

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 lb. basmati rice
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon stone ground mustard
1 teaspoon urad dhal or brown lentils
1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon madras curry powder
2 ounces fresh coconut, grated
1 ounce unsalted roasted cashews
salt and pepper

METHOD:

1. Put the rice in a sieve and rinse under cold running water until the water runs clear.
2. Bring 2 cups lightly salted water to the boil in a large pan.
3. Add the rice, bring back to the boil and cook for 20 minutes.
4. Drain and return to the pan, then cover with a tight-fitting lid.
5. In a small pan, heat the oil, add the mustard seeds and cook for 1 minute until the seeds start to pop.
6. Add the lentils, red pepper flakes and curry powder and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the lentils are golden.
7. Stir in the coconut and cook over a low heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.

This recipe is an exclusive TriniGourmet original. Please do not share it or post it to your site without crediting TriniGourmet.com. A link back to our site is not necessary but always appreciated

This post was originally published October 6, 2009. It has been updated twice since then.

This recipe made 3 rum bottles worth of mauby. They were done within 24 hours!

Learn more!
• Mauby – An Overview
• Mauby Bark: Three Things You May Not Know

TRINIDAD MAUBY

INGREDIENTS

12 cups water
4 pieces mauby bark (you can add a few more if desired)
1 small sprig aniseed
1 piece cinnamon
3 cups sugar (or to taste)
1 – 3 tablespoons Angostura bitters (to taste)

METHOD

1. Place all ingredients (except bitters) and 4 cups water into a saucepan and boil for 30 minutes.

2. Strain the mauby and add the additional 8 cups water. Then taste for sweetness.

3. You can add additional sugar to it if it is not sweet enough for you.

4. Add bitters

5. Bottle

Serve cold with ice.

Makes 3 bottles

This recipe is an exclusive TriniGourmet original. Please do not share it or post it to your site without crediting TriniGourmet.com and linking back to this site

This post was originally published February 16, 2007. It has been updated once since then.

I originally made this recipe way back in 2007 for Weekend Herb Blogging (hosted this time around by its founder Kalyn). I loved how the lemon zest really spotlighted the flavour of basil – an herb that we used to grow at home. As soon as we get another plant I will update this post again to reflect a new pic Funny what a difference new cameras and experience have made in my shots, but it’s always good to see where one came from Enjoy!

From FoodReference.com
Basil is an annual herb of the mint family, native to central and tropical Asia and Africa (some say it originated in India). It is an important ingredient in Thai, Vietnamese and Laotian cuisine. Today it is cultivated commercially in California, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Germany, Israel, Egypt, Morocco, Italy, Madagascar, India and Mexico. It has been grown in areas around the Mediterranean since antiquity, but Britain did not begin using basil until the 16th century. The many varieties of this herb have seeds that can germinate after 10 years!
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In addition to its culinary uses, basil is also used in perfumes, soaps, shampoos and dental preparations. In Mexico it is supposed to keep a lover’s eye off others, and is considered a powerful protector in Haiti. During British colonial days in India, magistrates would have Hindu witnesses swear on this holy herb. It is recommended in Herbals for the relief of dysentery, gas pains, nausea, and as a cure for worms and worts.
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The ancient Greeks and Romans thought basil would only grow if you screamed wild curses and shouted intelligibly while sowing the seeds. They also believed if you left a basil leaf under a pot, it would turn into a scorpion. Many believed that even smelling the leaves would cause scorpions to grow in the brain! Salome hid John the Baptist’s head in a pot of basil to cover up the odor of it’s decomposition.
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Returning to some less morbid uses, in Italy it is a token of love, in Romania if a girl gives a sprig to her boyfriend, they are engaged, and a good Hindu goes to rest with a leaf on his breast as a passport to Paradise.

Well that’s some heady stuff! I just like it because of it’s slightly anise smell and ‘bright’ taste that perks up everything that you sprinkle it on

Basil in Italian dishes is a marriage made in heaven, and fresh basil simply can’t be beat. I decided to try the following recipe, of Pasta with Basil, Tomatoes and Lemon Zest, with the extremely delicious Mushroom Taglietelle that had been sent to me from Eva of Myra’s Kitchen. It takes only minutes to put together and the end result is bursting with flavour, satsfying, and, with primarily fresh ingredients undeniably, healthy!

Pasta with Basil, Tomatoes & Lemon Zest
——————————————————————————–

Ingredients:

4 big ripe tomatoes (1-1/2 lbs), coarsely chopped
zest from 1/2 lemon (yellow part only, none of the white) in 1-inch slivers
1 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup chopped Italian parsley leaves
1/2 cup olive oil
1-2 teaspoon salt
black pepper, freshly ground
spaghetti to serve

Directions:

1. Put a tiny pot of water on the stove to boil while you start to chop the vegetables.
2. When it comes to the boil, blanch the lemon zest for a few seconds – then drain.
3. Mix together in a large bowl all ingredients EXCEPT the spaghetti. Let it sit for 1 to 4 hours, giving it a stir now and then.

4. When you are ready to eat, cook the pasta according to the package directions, as usual, drain, and add it to the tomato mix. Toss. Taste for seasoning. Serve immediately.

Makes 4-6 servings

This post was originally published May 7, 2007. It has been updated once since then.

My mother first made this recipe in 2008 and it was a hit! Plantain is rarely showcased this formally on dinner tables and it really is a shame. In this case, lengths of ripe plantain are oven-baked with orange juice and zest. The result is creamy, with a slightly caramelized exterior.

My personal suggestions with this recipe are to 1) make sure the plantain is adequately ripe i.e. that the skin has become almost completely black. The dish isn’t as appealing when the plantain is too firm. Similarly, rather than topping it with orange zest (as suggested by the recipe), try topping it with some additional brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. The orange zest can tend to get bitter in the oven so keep an eye on it, and make sure that you avoid including any of the white pith. Of course, play around to suit your own personal preferences. Even as I am typing this I am thinking that maybe a blend of zest and sugar may be the perfect compromise. Either way, the results are very Caribbean Glam!

Plaintain (or Moko) Baked In Orange Juice
Source: Naparima Girls High School Cookbook

INGREDIENTS:
2 ripe plantains or moko
2 tbsp. honey
1/2 cup orange juice
2 tbsp. grated orange rind
1/2 tsp salt

METHOD:
1. Peel and slice plantain in any way one prefers, lengthwise or crosswise
2. Place in a greased baking dish
3. Mix juice, honey, rind and salt
4. Pour over plantain
5. Bake at 350F until nicely browned and cooked (15-20 minutes)

Note: Sweet potatoes could also be done in this way. Parboil potatoes, peel and slice in dish, pour syrup over and bake until potatoes are cooked (25-30 minutes)

This post was originally published April 2, 2009. It has been updated once since then.

Tapenades are one of my entertaining ‘secret weapons’. Blend a few ingredients, add a drizzle of olive oil, some salt and pepper and people think you have been slaving for hours This one for Green Olive tapenade is one of my favourites. Because there are so few ingredients it becomes even more important that you make them of the highest quality that you can afford. I find that the flavour is piquant enough that additional salt is not necessary, however a drizzle of olive oil and a liberal application of black pepper, perk the final results up considerably If you’re in need of a last minute Old Year’s appetizer, why not give this a try?

From Wikipedia:

Tapenade is a Provençal dish consisting of puréed or finely chopped olives, capers, anchovies and olive oil. Its name comes from the Provençal word for capers, tapéno. It is a popular food in the south of France, where it is generally eaten as an hors d’œuvre, spread on gourmet breads such as baguette or ciabatta. Sometimes it is also used to stuff fillets for a main course.

Green Olive Tapenade
Servings: 4
Source: Cooking with Three Ingredients: Flavorful Food, Easy as 1, 2, 3

Ingredients

1 cup pitted small green olives
2 cloves garlic, crushed and minced
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Method

1. In a blender or food processor finely chop the olives and garlic
2. Blend in the olive oil to make a paste.
3. Season to taste with salt and pepper

NUTRITION FACTS

Servings: 4
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 195
Total Fat: 16.65g
Cholesterol: –
Sodium: 297mg
Total Carbs: 10.37g
Dietary Fiber: 1.60g
Sugars: 0.25g
Protein: 1.87g

This post was originally published December 6, 2008. It has been updated twice since then.

Made on a rainy night, this spicy vegan peanut soup was a cinch to throw together. The flavours of peanut and ginger combine to create a spicy, sweet and silky texture and the crisp, cool crunch of the bean sprouts prevents the overall flavour profile from ever becoming cloying. This is a rather non-traditional (in this part of the world) take on comfort food. Although I used supermarket beansprouts when I first made it, now that I have started sprouting my own beans, I can’t wait to give it another try. I’ll be posting a guide to sprouting your own beans, and the health benefits of doing so in an upcoming post, so stay tuned! Until then, enjoy this simple pleasure!

Easy Vegan Spicy Peanut Soup with Fresh Mung Bean Sprouts
Source: Vegalicious.org

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup peanut butter
2 tbs. oil
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tbs. fresh ginger, grated
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 liter vegetable bouillon
1 tbs. tomato paste
splash tabasco
pinch salt
1 tbs. sugar
100 grams fresh mung bean sprouts

METHOD:

1. Heat the oil in a sauce pan. Add the chopped onions and saute until glassy.
2. Add the garlic and lightly brown.
3. Add the vegetable bouillon and the peanut butter and stir well to mix.
4. Add the tomato paste and spices and allow to simmer until warm and well blended.
5. Season to taste with salt, Tabasco and a pinch of sugar.
6. Just before serving add the fresh mung bean sprouts do not cook the bean sprouts, as their crunchiness adds a nice contrast to the smooth spiciness of the soup

This post was originally published January 13, 2009. It has been updated twice since then.

Last month I was invited to participate in the blogging collective “Kwanzaa Culinarians“. Linking writers throughout the African diaspora it includes such heavyweights as Chef Bryant Terry, as well as known foodies like Sanura of “My Life Runs On Food“, Courtney of “Coco Cooks” and Chrystal & Amir of “The Duo Dishes“. Needless to say, I took it as quite a compliment to be included and didn’t hesitate to confirm my willingness to ‘rep’ our region!

Like many of the participants, I had little prior knowledge of Kwanzaa. My assignment of “Umoja” was a journey of not only self-reflection but also deeper research into what the festival embodies for today’s celebrants. I invite you to take a look at my essay which also includes my recipe for ‘Ochro Rice’.

Excerpt:
The idea of a regularly shared dining space with family and loved ones may seem archaic or impractical in today’s fast-paced world, however I think the need for emotional and intellectual connection, ‘breaking bread’, is something that Umoja seeks to highlight. Although in some ways we are more connected than ever before (Facebook, Twitter), these tools often reduce us to ‘surface sharers’, something that communal mealtime seeks to eliminate.

Few things are as healing and unifying as truly hearing another person’s story. I have found that in front of an array of good food and drink generation gaps can dissolve, romance can be rekindled, and cordial acquaintances often discover previously unknown commonalities. As we prepare meals together, and sit and share, we strengthen our homes. As we make more educated food choices we create a ripple effect that strengthens and nourishes our communities.

Read the rest…

While you are there do take in some of the past essays and recipes as well. There’s nothing like combining food for the mind with, well… actual food!

Visit Kwanzaa Culinarians on Facebook
Follow Kwanzaa Culinarians on Twitter

In the mood for more Ochro Recipes? Check out my Fried Okras and Spicy Ochro Melée!

Cassava latkes, an idea so simple, so obvious, and yet so left-field, that if it wasn’t for a chance comment from Ramin Ganeshram a year ago on Twitter, I may never have thought of whipping up a batch! I had been on a cassava kick, trying to see how many uses I could find for my favourite provision, besides the tried and true. I had made Vichysoisse Creole, and Cassava porridge, and then, as it was Hanukkah, Ramin asked “Have you ever tried cassava latkes?”

Eureka! I mean why not? Cassava, like potato, is a starchy tuber. It’s a shoo-in! I immediately headed to the kitchen, grated my little heart away and half an hour later was munching on cassava latkes. In some ways I even prefer them to the traditional potato (imagines purists fainting at the very thought). Underneath the slightly sweet crispy exterior they retain that warm, slightly gooey texture that to me signals the best qualities of comfort food. Because cassava has a more neutral flavour than potatoes they respond well to slightly more aggressive seasoning, however if you prefer your latkes on the milder side that’s OK too. Serve them with the traditional sour cream, or if you like to venture to the spicier side of palate town, pair them with tamarind or mango chutney. Veni mangé!

Cassava Latkes

Makes 12 latkes

INGREDIENTS
3 cups peeled and grated cassava root (also sold as yuca and manioc)
1/2 cup grated onion
1/4 cup flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 tbl chopped chadon beni/culantro (optional)
1/4 cup vegetable oil

TOPPINGS
Sour cream
tamarind chutney
mango chutney

METHOD
1. For crisp latkes you want to press as much liquid out of the grated cassavas and onions as possible. You can do this by pressing them against a strainer or colander with the back of a spoon, or by wrapping them in a clean dish tower (or 2 layers of paper towels) and squeezing vigorously.
2. Transfer the cassava and onion to a large bowl.
3. Stir in flour, baking powder, salt and chadon beni (if using).
4. Warm the oil on high heat in a large nonstick skillet.
5. Take 1/2 cup of batter per latke and drop into skillet.
6. Flatten with spatula.
7. Fry on both sides (about 5 min. per side) until brown and crisp.
8. Drain on paper towels.
9. Serve with suggested toppings.

This recipe is an exclusive TriniGourmet original. Please do not share it or post it to your site without crediting TriniGourmet.com and linking back to this site

This year Hanukkah falls from sundown December 20th – December 28th. Many people know this holiday as the Jewish ‘Festival Of Lights’ however it is also often mistakenly thought of as a Jewish equivalent of Christmas causing me to field many a puzzled look when someone wishes me a Happy Hanukkah around December 25th only to be made aware that it ended quite some time ago. Although there are times (like this year) when the two festivals do overlap it isn’t a regular occurrence.

Hanukkah cuisine is marked by an abundance of fried foods, all edible testimony to the story behind the festival.

I hope you will enjoy this listing and draw some inspiration from it for your table (or for the table of a friend if you are invited to a celebration)!

DECORATING/TABLESCAPES

Hanukkah Tablescape Ideas

APPETIZERS

Curried Potato ‘mini’-Latkes
Samosas
Trinidad Sahina
Trinidad Saltfish Accra
Trinidad Pholourie

BEVERAGES

Bubbly Guava-Ginger Ale

BREADS

Poori

DESSERTS

Trinidad Black Cake
Trinidad Kurma

ENTREES

Asian Crisp-Fried Noodles and Chili Vegetables
Caramelised Onion & Anchovy Tarts
Pan-Fried Snapper with Tomato Salsa

SIDES

Fried Okras
Oven-Crisped Potato Latkes
Pesto Latkes
Cassava Latkes (above!)

Well you know how Trinis like how to do everything las’ minute? If you don’t have enough time to try my mother’s ginger beer recipe, here is a Quick Ginger Beer recipe from Epicurious.com that needs only 24 hours fermentation. Best of luck!

Click here to read: QUICK GINGER BEER Recipe at Epicurious.com

Excerpt:
This is the easy way to make ginger beer, where the ginger is simply soaked just slightly fermented for 24 hours (another method requires up to a five-day fermentation). Ginger beer is one of Jamaica’s most popular soft drinks and is sold practically everywhere, from the supermarket to roadside stands.

This drink is wonderfully refreshing. If the ginger heat is too much, tame it with more crushed ice and some club soda.

This post was originally published on December 22, 2006. It has been updated twice since then.

When I first made this in 2006 it was my first time using a pack of dried sorrel for a recipe. I was pleasantly surprised. If you allow it to steep overnight the results are pretty good. The below recipe is my adaptation of the Jamaican Sorrel Rum Punch Recipe at Epicurious.com. Because the pack of dried sorrel that I bought already has cloves added, as well as chunks of cinnamon bark I didn’t need to add any additional flavorings. If you can locate packs like these I highly recommend it.

JAMAICAN SORREL RUM PUNCH (adapted from the following recipe at Epicurious.com)

Ingredients:

1 pack pre-spiced dried sorrel -OR- 2 ounces (about 1 1/2 cups) dried sorrel calyxes
Two 1-inch cubes of peeled fresh ginger, chopped fine
3 whole cloves (omit if using a pack with spices)
5 3/4 cups water
3 cups sugar
1 amber/dark rum
2 cups ice cubes, or to taste
Lime and orange slices for garnish

Directions:

1. In a heat-proof bowl combine the sorrel, the ginger and the cloves.

2. In a saucepan bring 5 cups of the water to a boil, pour it over the sorrel mixture, and let the mixture steep overnight.

3. While the mixture is steeping, in a small saucepan bring the remaining 3/4 cup water and the sugar to a boil, stirring until the sugar is dissolved, and let the syrup cool.
4. Strain the sorrel liquid into a pitcher, discarding the solids, stir in the sugar syrup, the rum and the ice cubes, and garnish the punch with the lime and orange slices.

Makes about 8 cups/2 bottles

This post was first published December 28, 2006. It has been updated twice since then.