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.
We don’t have spring here in Trinidad but after 5 years in New England I have pretty sniffly memories of that time of year. And I don’t mean sniffly nostalgic, I mean sniffly achoo sniffly… aiaiiai allergies! Other than that it really was lovely to …
Jamaican Festival has to be one of my most favorite things ever. Seriously. It is just delicious. Slightly sweet cornmeal fried ‘dumplings’, they are traditionally served alongside spicy meat dishes, such as Jamaica’s infamous ‘jerk’. The sweetness offsets the meat, pepper and spices most sublimely, …
When I read that YumSugar was having an American Idol Food Challenge my mind instantly went to Paula Abdul’s bizarre TV appearances earlier this year when promoting the current season. Here in Trinidad we don’t get FOX (the channel that airs American Idol) so I’ve …
I’m trying to make a greater effort to consistently take part in Weekend Herb Blogging (hosted this time around by its founder Kalyn). This week I thought I would focus on basil – mainly because its an herb that we grow at home and I …
Is there a Trini who hasn’t chomped on an aloo pie? It seems that I’ve been eating them as long as I can remember. They were a staple in both my primary and secondary schools’ cafeterias (or as we call them ‘tuck shops’). They are …
I was unable to handle solid food the other night and instead of Jamaican Cornmeal Porridge, this time around I was in the mood for French Onion Soup. I usually make mine using a recipe from Cooking with Three Ingredients: Flavorful Food, Easy as 1, …
This was the last item in my Blogging by Mail package. I bet you thought that box was bottomless! 😆 I thought these ‘Jacques Pure Chocolate Hagelslag Granules‘ were just ‘sprinkles’ but they’re not! They melt in your mouth! (All the sprinkles I have ever …
I have always believed that food is more than just sustenance—it is history, culture, and identity on a plate. In Trinidad and Tobago, every dish tells a story, and few are as rich in heritage as Trinidad Pow. These soft, fluffy steamed buns, filled …
Well it’s been a while since I have posted a bread recipe. With rising bread prices here in Trinidad my mother and I have now committed to making our own bread on a full time basis rather than occasionally. Although my ciabatta bread recipe has …
When I first read about Beck ‘n Posh’s British food challenge (titled Fish n Quips) I was immediately filled with curiousity, excitement and fear. You see, and I hope I don’t offend too many, most of my memories of eating in England are far from …
This recipe comes from the GraceFoods.com website and is my contribution this week to Weekend Herb Blogging (hosted this time around by What Did You Eat?)
So what is the ‘surprise’? Probably the pack of heat that this recipe delivers 🙂 I used a whole scotch bonnet this time but would probably reduce that to 1/2 the next time I make this. It was a hit with my mom tho 🙂 …
Although this is one of the last of the items in my Blogging by Mail package to be written up it actually was the first item to be opened. My mother is a nut addict and I had never tasted macadamia nuts before so it …