The Cuisine of Trinidad & Tobago, The Caribbean & Beyond!
Vegetarian cooking requires creativity and innovation because a healthy vegetarian diet is based on variety and moderation. According to the USDA, dietary guidelines for American vegetarians “who eat milk products and eggs enjoy excellent health, and that ‘you can get enough protein from a vegetarian diet as long as the variety and amount of foods consumed are adequate’. An adequate amount of protein is a concern of any vegetarian diet. “Protein is made up is made up of amino acids and the only vegetable source with all three types of amino acids is soybeans”. A balanced vegetarian diet is one with a wide variety of vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and fruits. In order to create complete protein, legumes and grains should be consumed together. For example, rice and beans or pita bread and hummus create a source of complete protein without high cholesterol sources such as eggs or cheese. Moderation is key when consuming high-fat or high cholesterol foods. Dairy products can be part of a healthy lacto vegetarian diet, especially when low-fat counterparts are used. ” As a result [of a balanced vegetarian diet], many long-term vegetarians have developed eating patterns that are among the healthiest in the world”.
The recipes in this section do not include meat or fish. They may however contain animal byproducts such as butter, milk, eggs and honey.
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 …
How have I had this site for so long (16 years!) and not posted a recipe yet for Trini Coleslaw? I was so sure that I had, but only realised recently that the closest that I had was a recipe for Grated Carrot & Raisin …
From time to time on my Twitch stream a viewer gets the chance to select an ingredient that I should develop a dish around. My most recent challenge however has been, well a challenge! If anyone knows where I can get poppyseeds here in Trinidad …
Here are 8 of our most popular salads posted through the years. Fom fresh salsas to lightly steamed vegetables, you are sure to find something to enjoy! 1. East Indian Chickpea Salad In Trinidad cuisine chickpeas (channa) are routinely served curried or fried. Rarely do …
![Roasted (Scotch Bonnet) Pepper Chutney [Recipe]](https://www.trinigourmet.com/nts/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_4512-760x400.jpg)
Roasted Pepper Chutney?! It’s not much of a surprise that many Trinbagonians like more than a little heat in their dishes. I mean, considering many of the hottest peppers in the world originated here it makes perfect sense! Having said that, although I’ve had a …
![Baked Melongene and Tomato With Cheese [Recipe]](https://www.trinigourmet.com/nts/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/IMG_4234-3-760x400.jpg)
I don’t know about you, but the time is always right in my book for comfort food! This recipe for Baked Melongene and Tomato with Cheese from Trinidad’s culinary pioneer, Sylvia Hunt, ticks all the boxes. Warm? Check! Gooey? Check! Affordable ingredients? You definitely want …
This recipe, Xaymaca Barbecued Tofu, is from my 2nd favourite plant-based Caribbean Cookbook “Delicious Jamaica” and I made it on my Twitch stream last month. What’s my fave? Caribbean Vegan from Taymer Mason! Dun know! But I digress.. ? Although I don’t quite understand the …
Stew Beef? No! Stewed Soya Chunks! My secret? Seasoning them slightly more assertively than if I was using meat. Even though I only buy “Seasoned” chunks, they still need more… well … seasoning! Then season them the same way you would meat. What does this …
![Chi Chi Dango Mochi [RECIPE]](https://www.trinigourmet.com/nts/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/IMG_1670-scaled-760x400.jpg)
Is it just me or is the year speeding up ridiculously all of a sudden? I made these vegan and gluten-free Japanese Chi Chi Dango Mochi Cakes back in April on my Twitch stream but it already feels like years ago! This was my first …
![Chocolate & Banana “Nice Cream” [RECIPE]](https://www.trinigourmet.com/nts/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/IMG_7589-scaled-760x400.jpg)
A delicious treat, this Chocolate & Banana “Nice Cream” uses only three vegan ingredients for its base. Add in all the mix-ins and toppings you want! When I made this on-stream last month, I polled my chat as to what mix-ins they wanted. I just …
![Slow Cook Spiced Carrot Cake [RECIPE]](https://www.trinigourmet.com/nts/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/IMG_8301-scaled-760x400.jpg)
It’s the end of another work week! Let’s wrap it up again with a lil sumting SWEET! I made this Slow Cook Spiced Carrot Cake on my Twitch stream a few weeks ago and it came out brilliantly! The slow cooker setting on my Instant …
![Coconut-Creamed Corn and Grains [RECIPE]](https://www.trinigourmet.com/nts/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/IMG_1594-scaled-760x400.jpg)
I made this Bon Appetit recipe for Coconut-Creamed Corn and Grains, on my Twitch stream, way back in April! I used brown jasmine rice for the grain and fried up my own onion rings (not pictured). They definitely add a much needed savory “bite” …
![Potato Tahdig [RECIPE]](https://www.trinigourmet.com/nts/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/IMG_8999_jpg-scaled-760x400.jpg)
Last week on my Twitch stream I made a Potato Tahdig for the first time and it was DELICIOUS! Tahdig is a Persian rice dish that refers to cooking fluffy long-grain rice until the base forms a crunchy and delicious crust, what we Trinis fondly …
![Instant Pot Ice Cream Bread [RECIPE]](https://www.trinigourmet.com/nts/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/IMG_7873-scaled-760x400.jpg)
We’ve made it to the end of the week! Let’s celebrate with some Instant Pot Ice Cream Bread! If you’re asking yourself “What on earth is Ice Cream Bread?” don’t worry! You’re not alone! I had never heard of this concoction before a month or …
![Mango Chow [RECIPE]](https://www.trinigourmet.com/nts/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/IMG_8290-1-scaled-760x400.jpg)
Hand a Trini some slightly under-ripe (or tart) fruit and many’s first thought will be “Time to make a chow!”. Light and spicy, chow consists of marinating fruit in a mixture of salt, pepper, garlic and (essential) chadon beni/bandhania/culantro. It’s a great quencher and quite …
