Divali Menu

Divali Menu

Learn about Divali in Trinidad

Trinidad Independence Day Menu [MENU PLAN]

Trinidad Independence Day Menu [MENU PLAN]

Happy Independence Day T&T!  This year’s Trinidad Independence Day menu is a trifecta of the new, the old, and a twist on an old favourite 🙂  What will yours be this year? Of course, this year, like last year, celebrations will be mostly virtual and 

Emancipation Day in Trinidad & Tobago

Emancipation Day in Trinidad & Tobago

What is Emancipation Day? August 1st is Emancipation Day in Trinidad and Tobago, a public holiday. In 1985 Trinidad and Tobago became the first country in the world to commemorate the abolition of slavery with a national observance, and since that time several other countries 

Indian Arrival Day Menu

Indian Arrival Day Menu

This entry is part [part not set] of 0 in the series indian arrival day

May 30th is Indian Arrival Day, a public holiday here in Trinidad and Tobago. Indian Arrival Day commemorates the arrival of the first East Indian labourers to our shores. From the National Library Website:Indian Arrival Day, celebrated on 30th May, commemorates the arrival of the 

Spiritual/Shouter Baptist Day Menu

Spiritual/Shouter Baptist Day Menu

Photo: Sookdeo Baney Today, March 30 is Spiritual Baptist/Shouter Liberation Day in Trinidad & Tobago. From Wikipedia: Spiritual/Shouter Baptist Liberation Day is an annual public holiday celebrated in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, on March 30. The holiday commemorates the repeal on March 30, 

Punch de Creme (recipe)

Punch de Creme (recipe)

This entry is part 9 of 9 in the series Trini Christmas

Punch de Creme, is another of Trinidad’s traditional Christmas drinks. One thing that I really like about it (as opposed to traditional eggnog) is the use of citrus flavors like lime and Angostura bitters (which has orange extract). This gives the ‘nog’ a fruity lightness 

Trinidad Paime (recipe)

Trinidad Paime (recipe)

This entry is part 8 of 9 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 

Trinidad Pastelles (recipe) now with Delicious Vegan Option!

Trinidad Pastelles (recipe) now with Delicious Vegan Option!

This entry is part 7 of 9 in the series Trini Christmas

One 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 Tomasnomas has a link to the 

QUICK GINGER BEER Recipe at Epicurious.com

QUICK GINGER BEER Recipe at Epicurious.com

This entry is part 6 of 9 in the series Trini Christmas

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 recipe from Epicurious.com that needs only 24 hours fermentation. Best of luck! 😀 Click here 

Carmen’s Jamaican Ginger Beer (recipe)

Carmen’s Jamaican Ginger Beer (recipe)

This entry is part 5 of 9 in the series Trini Christmas

My mom’s Jamaican 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 

Jamaican Sorrel Rum Punch (recipe)

Jamaican Sorrel Rum Punch (recipe)

This entry is part 4 of 9 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 damn good. The below recipe is my 

Sorrel Drink (recipe & video)

Sorrel Drink (recipe & video)

This entry is part 3 of 9 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 consumption of our traditional 

Trinidad Black Cake (recipe)

Trinidad Black Cake (recipe)

This entry is part 2 of 9 in the series Trini Christmas

Like sorrel, Black Cake in Trinidad is a Christmas institution. Made predominantly of alcohol drenched prunes, currants and raisins, variations abound (and I love taste testing when we make the visiting rounds). Still, the best black cake is always the recipe that one grew up 

In Trinidad, Christmas is Parang! (video & holiday recipe roundup)

In Trinidad, Christmas is Parang! (video & holiday recipe roundup)

This entry is part 1 of 9 in the series Trini Christmas

What 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 

SPECIAL OFFER! Cook Holiday Glam! (Ends Nov. 30)

SPECIAL OFFER! Cook Holiday Glam! (Ends Nov. 30)

Hey everyone! Are you ready to Cook Holiday Glam? I know I am! That’s why I’m so happy to announce that I’m running an E-Cookbook Special Offer on my Patreon page, just in time for the holiday season! I took these books off the site in 

Taste Vinoteca: Available For Holiday Functions!

Taste Vinoteca: Available For Holiday Functions!

  Looking for a smaller intimate space for Christmas Lunch & Dinner Parties? Check out Taste Vinoteca at Maraval Plaza! Customized menus for any style function. Call Lisa at 1 (868) 323-4830 to design your business or personal experience.  

Cooking For The Holidays? Read these 6 Insider Tips!

Cooking For The Holidays? Read these 6 Insider Tips!

  Cooking for the holidays doesn’t have to be stressful! Check out these tips from six of my favourite foodie friends to learn how to do more in less time! [sp_testimonials id=”61322″] [sp_testimonials id=”61365″] [sp_testimonials id=”61367″] [sp_testimonials id=”61369″] COCKTAILS If you’re looking for a unique 

Purim Menu (video)

Purim Menu 2011 • East Indian Chickpea Salad • Hummus • Pasta Puttanesca • Broccoli Gratin • Haman’s Ears/Orejas de Haman • Sarina’s Rum and Raisin Hamantsachen It always tickles me how close Purim and Carnival fall most years. I especially enjoy Purim because it’s 

Republic Day Menu

Republic Day Menu

Trinidad & Tobago celebrates its Republic Day on September 24th. This day is usually quieter and more understated in celebration than Independence Day, but equally looked forward to for it is a respite from the work week 🙂 Here is a menu suggestion for your 

Labour Day Menu & History

“June 19, Sir, is a day which, in the minds of the workers, marks a landmark in the history of the working class movement.” – Adrian Cola Rienzi June 19 is Labour Day in Trinidad and Tobago, a public holiday Labour Day marks the labour 

Xmas 2010 Holiday Tablescape

Xmas 2010 Holiday Tablescape

It’s December 22nd, 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. We don’t actively celebrate Christmas in my 

Hanukkah 2010 Tablescape Ideas

Hanukkah 2010 Tablescape Ideas

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 

Sarina’s Curried Potato ‘mini’ Latkes & Bubbly Guava-Ginger Ale

How have you been enjoying my Hanukkah 2010 series so far? At the moment I seem to be having a little trouble with my RSS feed so if you have not received the posts so far you can check out the recipe roundup to date 

Hanukkah 2010 Menu Ideas

Hanukkah 2010 Menu Ideas

(Hanukkah celebration, San Fernando 2008) This year Hanukkah falls from sundown December 1 – December 8. 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