Ever since reaching out to readers on this site on a regular basis (both on Facebook and Twitter), I’ve found myself the welcome recipient of requests and suggestions on an ongoing basis. I am very grateful for these so keep ‘em coming! Today’s post is the direct result of one of those suggestions.... 

WARNING: PLEASE READ ON A FULL STOMACH. THIS BOOK WILL MAKE YOU HUNGRY FOR DELICIOUS AND WELL-PREPARED WEST INDIAN FOOD! You’d think I’d have heeded the warning. It was after all big and bold at the top of the press release and reiterated on both the inside cover AND back cover of “Stir It Up!“,... 

This entry is part 10 of 11 in the series Trini Christmas It’s December and the sounds of parang are filling the air around the clock. The streets are jam-packed and people have that frenzied look that comes with too much shopping still to do, and not enough time. Whether you are a Trini, or looking to add some... 

This entry is part 11 of 11 in the series Trini ChristmasWell 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!... 

This entry is part 8 of 11 in the series Trini Christmas 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... 

This entry is part 9 of 11 in the series Trini Christmas The following article appeared in the 24th December, 2006 issue of the Trinidad Express. It’s hard to believe that BWIA was still active then! Will you be spending the holidays where you want to be this year? I hope so! If not, hopefully the recipes posted... 

Reader’s Question: I made ginger beer but there was a milky paste at the bottom of the jar. Whatcha know about that? Trinigourmet’s Answer: Great question! Although it looks a little ‘spooky’ that milky paste is perfectly natural and inevitable. It’s a mixture of the solids that have... 

This entry is part 6 of 11 in the series Trini Christmas Punch de Creme, is another of Trinidad’s traditional Christmas drinks. One thing that I really like about punch de creme (as opposed to traditional eggnog) is the use of citrus flavors like lime and Angostura bitters (which has orange extract). This gives... 

Cuban cuisine is one that I am a relative newbie to. Because of language differences, and political distance, our two countries have not had much cultural exchange (although they do have a diplomatic presence here). Personal recollections from friends and family who have visited have all been very warm about the reception... 

This entry is part 7 of 11 in the series Trini Christmas As promised, here is a recipe for Paime (pron. PAY-me)! Paime is basically a sweet version of the savoury pastelle. I only recently discovered that Paime is also a traditional Xmas dish. Well that explains why it seemed I never could find it lol! No one in... 

This entry is part 5 of 11 in the series Trini ChristmasOne of Trinidad’s seasonal delights, pastelles are a steamed cornmeal pie wrapped in banana leaves and filled with stewed meat, olives, and raisins. I’ve been told that they are very similar to Latin American tamales, and indeed Venezualan foodblogger... 

This entry is part 3 of 11 in the series Trini Christmas mom’s ginger beer brewing in the sun The above scene and bottle feel as though they have always been with me, they occur with such comforting regularity. Ginger beer is something that is enjoyed by both Trinis and Jamaicans however in my experience... 

This entry is part 4 of 11 in the series Trini Christmas Christmas in Trinidad is a diverse multicultural affair. Not just for the Christian population, but also through the secular participation of the nation at large through the enjoyment of our local christmas songs (called parang) and especially the creation and... 

This entry is part 1 of 11 in the series Trini Christmas Gluten-free Trinidad Black Cake (instructions for gluten-free, traditional, and halaal follow below) Like sorrel, Black Cake in Trinidad is a Christmas institution. Made predominantly of alcohol drenched prunes, currants and raisins, variations abound (and I... 

This entry is part 2 of 11 in the series Trini ChristmasWhat is Parang? Well Parang is the soundtrack to Christmas here in Trinidad. More than that however Parang is also a culture, a way of life that sweeps through my island after the lights of Eid and Divali have been put away. The What is Parang? webpage has a... 

Coconut Chutney, Divali 2011 This month’s hotlist is an extra special one for me as it’s the first time that -I- make an appearance on it! The response to my first ebook “Seven Sweet Trini Treats” has been such a strong one that I really have to thank everyone who has downloaded it to date.... 

Can you believe December is already here? It’s been an amazing year for me with many highs and lows. I can’t say I’m sad to see 2011 draw to a close as I am quite excited for 2012, but I can’t say that I haven’t learnt a lot this year or that I regret anything. I hope the same holds true... 

I adore brownies, and I definitely don’t make them often enough. Although there are now dozens of variations on the brownie theme (even blondies), for emotional satisfaction I still find that nothing surpasses the simple all-chocolatey goodness of the original. This simple recipe from Everyday With Rachael... 

I’m beyond thrilled to announce the launch of my first ebook titled “7 Sweet Trini Treats”. It contains several recipes that represent my childhood here in Trinidad as well as some from older generations that are at risk of being lost. Some of the recipes have appeared in an older form here on Trinigourmet... 

Mauby bark by Lisa Fagg, on FlickrOver the years I have, like many Trinidadians, enjoyed my share of cold frosty mauby. As I’ve previously written, it was something that my Aunt always seemed to have in her fridge when I was a child. Those days however are long gone. My aunt no longers bother to make mauby and... 

Creamy, cold noodles Ginger and lime dance throughout Quick and easy meal. Cold Sesame Noodles SERVINGS: 4 SOURCE: Food Network / Tyler Florence INGREDIENTS: 12 ounces angel hair pasta 3 tablespoons dark sesame oil 2 tablespoons peanut oil 1-inch piece fresh ginger, minced 3 cloves, garlic minced 1 teaspoon red... 

The Spice Necklace: My Adventures in Caribbean Cooking, Eating, and Island Life by Ann Vanderhoof (21) Description: While sailing around the Caribbean, Ann Vanderhoof and her husband Steve track wild oregano-eating goats in the cactus-covered hills of the Dominican Republic, gather nutmegs on an old estate in Grenada,... 

Deyas flickering in the wind during Divali celebrations in Trinidad and Tobago, Adam Smith Square Woodbrook Tomorrow is Divali in Trinidad and Tobago, a public holiday. Divali (also known as Diwali or Deepavali) is the Hindu festival of lights, and one of my favourite religious celebrations. Growing up, much of... 

Several months ago my mother came home with these things that looked like ginger roots, but smaller and thinner. I asked what they were and she said ‘turmeric’. She had bought them for medicinal reasons (we use a lot of herbal and aromatherapy concoctions in my household) but I also knew it had culinary... 

Top 10 Soup Recipes on TriniGourmet.com 1. Trinidad Corn Soup with Cornmeal Dumplings (recipe) Corn soup is a street food favorite here in Trinidad, especially at carnival time when vendors ply large pots of it that they spoon into styrofoam cups outside of fetes and clubs. 2. Trinidad Callaloo (vegetarian... 

An Embarrassment of Mangoes: A Caribbean Interlude Ann Vanderhoof (Author) (69)59 used & new from $9.66 Description: Under the Tuscan Sun meets the wide-open sea . . . An Embarrassment of Mangoes is a delicious chronicle of leaving the type-A lifestyle behind -- and discovering the seductive secrets of life in...